How To Care For Your White French Bulldog

If you’re a Frenchie fan, then you know that French bulldogs are having their moment. In fact, from 2021 data, we’ve learned that French Bulldogs are the second most popular dog breed in the United States! Frenchies are fun family dogs who are smart and relatively easy to train… even if they can sometimes be a little stubborn. 

French Bulldog coats come in a variety of colors and recently, white coats, or mostly white coats, have grown in popularity. You might not know it, but the difference in coat color can actually affect some of the ways you need to care for your dog. 

To know how to properly care for your white French Bulldog, you need to know more about what makes white Frenchies a little bit different than their colorful counterparts. Keep reading to find out what you need to know about white Frenchies and their care.

French Bulldog Coat Color (& What You Should Know About It)

French Bulldogs come in a rainbow of colors; fawn, brindle, and cream are the most common colors and are recognized by the American Kennel Club. White is also recognized. And piebald, which is a majority of white with splashes of other colors, is a common pattern variation. 

Frenchies can also be found in chocolate, blue, lilac, black, black and tan, merle, and a shade variation known as Isabella. These colors are not recognized by the AKC because the colors are the result of a combination of recessive genes that may lead to other health problems. For example, the genes involved in creating the blue shade in Frenchies can lead to color dilution, alopecia, and thinning hair. 

Despite this, some breeders with questionable motivations may try to ask for an extreme price for these dogs, citing them as “rare colors” even though they do not meet the breed standard.

Frenchies outside breed color standards are still good dogs and don’t need to be avoided, especially if you are looking for a companion dog and not a show dog. What should be avoided are breeders who specialize in “rare” coat colors and who ask thousands for dogs that have a higher potential for health problems. 

White French Bulldogs

Any French Bulldog with a coat that is at least 50% white is considered white. There are even variations in the types of white a French Bulldog can be. A Frenchie that only has a few spots of another color and is 90% white is considered “extreme white”.

Are White Frenchies Albino?

Albinism is a very specific condition resulting from a complete lack of pigment. You can easily distinguish an albino Frenchie from one that only has a white coat by looking at their eyes, lips, paw pads, and if they have any other colors present. 

How to tell if a white French Bulldog is Albino:

White French Bulldog Health Concerns

White French Bulldogs are generally healthy. Like all Frenchies, there is the possibility of some health problems due to their shorter airways and facial folds. Collapsing trachea, respiratory problems, and GI distress are some common French Bulldog health concerns. But there are also some additional health issues that are more common in white variations that you should be aware of. 

Caring For White French Bulldogs

As with all French Bulldogs, you will want to make sure you stay on top of their grooming. Frenchies, in general, are prone to skin issues, and it’s important to make sure their skin folds stay clean and dry. 

White Frenchies tend to have skin that is more sensitive. When you brush them, use a gentle brush with rounded tips so you don’t irritate or damage their skin. 

White fur will show dirt sooner than other colors. You may need to give your dog a wipe down in between bath days to keep him looking his best. 

Make sure your dog’s skin is protected from the sun. This doesn’t just mean sunscreen on obvious areas like their nose. Ideally, you should protect your dog’s entire body from the sun. Never use a human sunscreen as these are toxic to dogs. You can pick up a dog-safe sunscreen that is safe to spray all over your Frenchie. Some of them even act as a leave-in conditioner for their coats. 

If your dog can’t use sunscreen due to sensitivities, you can protect them from those UV rays with sun-protection apparel. You can find UV protective dog shirts online. Don't forget to protect their eyes, especially if you have a dog with light eyes. Sun goggles, hats, and visors, are available to help shield your canine companion. 

Monitor your white French Bulldog for signs of hearing loss. It’s not always immediately obvious, especially if your puppy is only impaired in one ear. Most breeders will be aware of a hearing problem with one of their puppies, but mistakes do happen. If you adopt a Frenchie from a rescue group, they will also have done a screening, but a hearing impaired dog may just seem badly trained. 

Frenchies are amazing dogs, but it’s important to know ‘what you’re getting into’ before adding one to your family. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your vet! They should be able to point you toward helpful resources about French Bulldog care.