English Bulldogs are known for their unique appearance, and one of the most interesting aspects is their rare color variations. There are several rare colors that can be found in English Bulldogs, each with its own distinct characteristics.
Blue English Bulldogs have a dilute black coat, resulting in a bluish-gray color. Their skin and nose are often blue-tinged as well.
Red English Bulldogs have a rich, deep red coat that can range from a light tan to a dark mahogany color. The red color is the result of a specific genetic combination.
Fawn English Bulldogs have a light tan or golden coat with a black mask and tail. This color is the result of a dilute black coat with a red or fawn tint.
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Rare English Bulldog Colors
English Bulldogs come in a variety of rare colors, each with its own unique characteristics. The Lilac color is one of the four base rare colors, resulting from the combination of the black and blue genes. It's created by diluting the black color twice, first to brown and then to blue, resulting in a purple or lilac hue.
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The Lilac coat should be shiny and can have many lighter and darker shades, with some coats even showing an under color shine through that can be green or pink. This color combination is complex and rare, making it a fun surprise for breeders and adopters alike.
The other rare colors include Blue, Chocolate, and Black, each with its own distinct characteristics. The Blue color is created by diluting the black color once, resulting in a grey coat. The Chocolate color is also a diluted black color, but from a different dilution gene, resulting in a brown coat.
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List of Rare Colors
The Lilac English Bulldog is one of the four base rare colors, along with black, blue, and chocolate.
These colors are formed through a complex process of gene dilution, with the Lilac coat being a result of the black gene being diluted twice.
Lilac English Bulldogs have a genotype of [bb dd], which means they carry the black and blue genes.
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The Lilac coat is shiny and has a purple or lilac hue, achieved by mixing blue and brown paint.
The nose, eyeliner, and footpads of Lilac English Bulldogs are always some shade of lilac or purple.
The Tri gene can be added to the Lilac color, resulting in a rare combination of tan points or eyebrows with a lilac coat.
This combination is difficult to produce and requires a specific breeding program.
The Lilac color is considered super rare and should not occupy a breeder's focus if they are prioritizing health and personality.
Blue English Bulldogs have a genotype of [dd] and are diluted black dogs.
Their coat should be shiny and look grey against black objects or in the sun.
The nose, footpads, and eyeliner of Blue English Bulldogs are always blue or grey.
Black English Bulldogs have a genotype of [Kb] and/or [atat] and are the most common of the four rare colors.
Their coat should be shiny and look black against black objects or in the sun.
The nose, footpads, and eyeliner of Black English Bulldogs are always true black.
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Red
Red is a stunning color for English Bulldogs, and it's great to see it paired with brindling and white accents. For instance, the Red Brindle / White color combination is a beautiful sight to behold, where the red color appears with brindling and may or may not have white accents.
The Red Brindle / White color is listed for registration as Red Brindle / White, making it easy to identify and track. This color combination is a unique and eye-catching feature of the English Bulldog breed.
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Coat Color Variations
English bulldog rare colors are a result of complex genetics, and one of the most striking variations is the lilac coat color. This color is achieved by combining the black and blue genes, resulting in a purple or lilac hue.
The lilac coat color is super complex and almost impossible to produce without a specific breeding program. It's a rare combination that can result in a variety of lighter and darker shades, with the nose, eyeliner, and footpads often being some shade of lilac or purple.
A tri lilac bulldog, on the other hand, carries the tri gene, which adds tan points or eyebrows with tan accentuating the legs, underbody, and back end. This rare combination is what has spurred on breeders and adopters to explore more color combinations.
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Tan
Tan markings can be clear or brindled, and they're often found on dogs with a blue or lilac coat.
In the case of Blue / Tan dogs, the tan markings can be minimal, but they're still a distinctive feature of the breed.
For dogs with a Lilac and Tan coat, the tan markings can be a key part of their overall appearance, and they're often found on the points of the dog's body.
The tan markings on a dog's chest can be a minimal white, but it's still a characteristic of the Lilac and Tan or Trindle pattern.
Blue and Tan dogs have a solid blue body and minimal white only on the chest, with tan markings that can be clear or brindled.
Tan markings are a common feature of many coat colors, and they can add a lot of visual interest to a dog's overall appearance.
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Fawn Bluies Sable
Fawn Bluies Sable is a unique coat color variation.
The dominant color in this combination is Fawn.
This color can be accompanied by Bluies, which refers to a Bluish cast or Blue characteristics to the coat.
Bluies can be paired with Sable, which typically appears as an underdeveloped Tri pattern.
However, it's essential to note that the pattern may not be clear or clean as a true Tri.
When registering this color, it's listed as Fawn Bluies / Sable / White.
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Patterns and Markings
English bulldogs can display a variety of patterns and markings, including tri coloration. This distinctive pattern features three colors in a specific arrangement.
A tri colored English bulldog typically has "points" of a third color on an otherwise bi-colored dog, usually light fawn or golden brown, found above the eyes, on the cheeks, sides of the chest, and inner front of each leg.
The four color variations of tri coloration are Black Tri, Blue Tri, Chocolate Tri, and Lilac Tri.
Tri Markings Pattern
Tri Markings Pattern is a unique and striking feature of some Bulldogge breeds. It involves a coat with three colors in a distinct pattern in very specific locations on the dog.
A Tri colored Bulldogge typically displays "points" of a third color on an otherwise bi-colored dog. These "points" are usually light fawn or golden brown and are found just above the eyes, on the cheeks, sides of chest and inner front of each leg.
There are four color variations of Tri: Black Tri, Blue Tri, Chocolate Tri, and Lilac Tri. Each of these variations has a distinct appearance, but they all share the same Tri pattern.
In registration, the color is listed as a combination of the dominant color and the Tri pattern. For example, a Black Tri Bulldogge would be listed as "Black Tri".
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Trindle
Trindle is a unique pattern that combines characteristics of the tri-colored and brindle patterns. The dominant color in a Trindle pattern is typically the color of the base coat.
In a Trindle pattern, the tri-colored markings are often overlaid with brindle stripes, creating a distinctive appearance. The brindle stripes can be either black or brown, depending on the breed and individual dog.
To identify a Trindle pattern, look for the tri-colored markings with brindle stripes. The brindle stripes can be subtle or prominent, but they are a key feature of the Trindle pattern.
For registration purposes, a Trindle pattern is often listed as a combination of the dominant color and the pattern, such as Black Trindle or Blue Trindle.
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Dalmatian Spot Patterns
Dalmatian Spot Patterns are a result of genetics, specifically the interaction between the Kbr gene and the agouti gene. This interaction determines the color pattern on a Dalmatian's coat.
Brindle patterns, like those found in Lilac Brindle Dalmatians, are a result of carrying at least one Kbr gene. Brindle dogs are always either ayay or ayat at agouti.
Dalmatians with a brindle pattern cannot have a Kb gene nor be atat, which means their coat pattern is determined by the interaction of the Kbr gene and the agouti gene.
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Rare Color Sections
The rare color English bulldog is a stunning sight, and understanding the genetics behind these unique colors can be fascinating. Black English Bulldogs are the most common of the 4 Rare Colors in AKC English Bulldogs.
Their shiny black coat should look black against black objects or in the sun, unless the seal gene is involved, which can show a different color undertone. The nose, footpads, and eyeliner are always a true black.
Breeders can help preserve rare color pedigrees by including the dog's color in their AKC Registered name, such as "Black Beauty" or "(Lilac)".
Rare Color Section 3
Chocolate English Bulldogs are a rare and beautiful breed, and if you're looking to bring one home, you should know that their genotype for the Chocolate Gene is [bb]. This means their coat color is determined by a different dilution gene than the Blue English Bulldogs.
Their coat should be shiny and look brown against black objects or in the sun, unless the seal gene is involved which can give different undertones to the coat. You might notice that their nose, footpads, and eyeliner are always chocolate, even if they have a chocolate fawn coat.
To preserve the rare color pedigree of your Chocolate English Bulldog, consider including its color in the AKC Registered name. For example, you could use a catchphrase like "Chocolate Sensations" or simply put the color in parentheses at the end of the name like this: (Chocolate).
Rare Color Section 4
Black English Bulldogs are the most common of the 4 Rare Colors in AKC English Bulldogs.
Their shiny black coat should look black against black objects or in the sun, unless the seal gene is involved, which can show a different color undertone.
These dogs may or may not have a fawn undercoat when their hair is rubbed backwards.
The nose, footpads, and eyeliner of Black English Bulldogs are always a true black.
Information: Platinum
Platinum dogs are essentially all white, but it's not a color in itself, rather a lack of pigment.
You can have a genetic true color dog that's all white, like a Dark Chocolate Tri, and it's perfectly acceptable.
The rule of thumb is that if a dog's spots of color make up 10% or less of its total body color, it can be designated Platinum.
Platinum dogs can have hidden color in their white coat, and it's essential to remember that white takes out the color that would normally be there.
In the case of Platinum dogs, an all-white coat is the preferred true Platinum, but it's not a hard and fast rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive English bulldog color?
The most expensive English Bulldog color is the Merle, which comes with a higher price tag due to its unique appearance. Researching the average price can help you avoid overpaying for your new puppy.
What is the best English Bulldog color?
While opinions on the best English Bulldog color vary, our experts consider the Brindle coat a low-maintenance favorite. Its unique appearance and easy care make it a popular choice among English Bulldog enthusiasts.
How rare are blue English Bulldogs?
Blue English Bulldogs are considered the rarest and most unique color in the breed, making them highly sought after. Their rarity contributes to their higher price compared to other coat colors.
Sources
- Olde English Bulldog Colors (allsoutherndogs.com)
- English Bulldog Colors: A Comprehensive Guide (2024) (bruiserbulldogs.com)
- Olde English Bulldogge Puppy Colors (oldenglishbulldogpuppies.com)
- Color Chart (ioeba.net)
- Darr's Bullies (darrsbullies.com)
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