When you mention Frenchies, most people have a rather clear image in their minds: a pup with short hair, tiny bat ears, and the most adorable face. However, not many know that these dogs can also have long hair. The Fluffy Frenchie is extremely rare and super expensive, and it is one of the most popular dog breeds out there.
Stay tuned if you want to find out more about the adorable long-haired French Bulldogs. From genetic info to color patterns, this article will reveal all the exciting facts you absolutely must know.
What Is a Fluffy Frenchie?
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A long-haired or Fluffy Frenchie is an extremely rare type of French Bulldog. In fact, this breed is so rare that many people doubted it was actually real only a few years back. They thought all the pictures online were simply photoshopped.
However, these fluffy puppers are quite real, and they are every inch a French Bulldog as their short-haired cousins. Appearance-wise, these dogs look exactly like ordinary Frenchies. They have bat ears, a compact body, and a square-shaped head.
Although they are called long-haired Bulldogs, their hair isn’t that long. It can be considered mid-length, and it is extremely fluffy and soft. The fur is thickest around the neck and ears and on the stomach. The tail is usually straight, and it hangs low to the ground.
Apart from the unusual hair, these puppies are popular because of the wide range of unique fur colors you can choose from.
When it comes to temperament, these dogs are quite social and good with people, just like most Bulldogs. After all, they have been bred to be people’s companions for over two centuries. Frenchies do not take being left alone well, and they need a lot of attention and play-time from their owners. They can live for up to 12 years.
If you are looking for an alert or guard dog, a Fluffy Frenchie will not do. These dogs don’t bark that often or loudly. However, they are a great choice if you already have dogs or cats, as they get along extremely well with other animals.
These dogs are not terribly athletic. So, just walking them once or twice a day will keep them happy and satisfied.
Fluffy Frenchie Color Patterns
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Throughout history, people have bred French Bulldogs extensively. Such practices resulted in numerous unique color combinations. Some of them have only been created a few times, while some are more common.
Fluffy Frenchies can have the very same color patterns as short-haired French Bulldogs. According to the AKC, there are 11 approved color combinations and patterns in total.
These include fawn, white, brindle, and cream and all possible cross combinations of the four. If you see a Frenchie with such colors and markings, you can rest assured that their breeding was done with no errors.
However, there are also rare colors and markings caused by mishaps in breeding. So, you might spot some Frenchies with blue, lilac, chocolate, or tan fur. These dogs are truly not common. Even breeders who specialize in such colors get only one or two such dogs every year.
This rare nature is exactly what makes many people want them so much, though. So, the Frenchies with these colors are the most sought-after, but also the most expensive.
What many people don’t know is that these rare colors are indeed gene mutations. Thus, such puppies are always at risk of developing different diseases. In addition, they often don’t live as long as those with more common marks and color patterns. The colors are the result of irresponsible breeding, and should, as such, be avoided.
Are Fluffy Frenchies Purebred Dogs?
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Many people believe that these dogs are a mixed breed due to their long hair. Alternatively, they believe that the long hair is a mutation and that these Frenchies are somehow sick. However, that is not the case. In fact, these dogs are just as purebred as ordinary Frenchies.
Where does their fluffy fur come from then, you may ask?
Well, in reality, all French Bulldogs carry the long hair gene in their DNA. This gene is recessive, which is why not many dogs have long hair. When two purebred Bulldogs are crossed, there is a 25% chance that their puppy will have long hair. This Frenchie will then have two copies of the long-haired gene, and the chances of its own puppies having long hair will be even higher.
To understand this situation, you can compare it to eye color in humans. If both parents have brown eyes, they can still give birth to a blue-eyed baby. The only thing necessary for that to happen is that both parents carry the blue-eye gene. The chances will be low, but still very much possible.
So, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Fluffy Frenchies. Their long hair is not a mutation or a result of mixing different breeds. They just have a rare combination of genes, and that’s all. As long as people breed them responsibly, they will be completely healthy.
Common Health Issues
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Fluffy Frenchies usually have the same health issues as their short-haired cousins. Most of them have breathing difficulties because of their flat faces. That is why these puppies often snort, snore, and breathe quite loudly.
These dogs are a part of a much larger group of dogs with the same issues. They are called brachycephalic dogs and, apart from Bulldogs, this group includes Pugs, Pekingese, and Chihuahuas. In fact, any dog with a flat face belongs to the same group.
Apart from breathing problems, there are several other health issues these puppers can face throughout their lives. Here are the most common ones.
1. Hip Dysplasia
This condition manifests itself when the ball and socket of the puppy’s hip joint don’t fit together. When the dog is young, the condition might not bother it at all. However, later on, the Frenchie can suffer from extreme hip pain, have difficulty walking and jumping, and be unable to climb stairs.
If you notice that your Frenchie is refusing to walk or choosing not to jump too much although it once used to, take it to the vet. A simple set of scans will reveal the issue, and you will be able to treat your pup accordingly. In most cases, the pup will not need surgery at all.
2. Patellar Luxation
Patellar luxation is characterized by recurrent kneecap dislocations. Most Frenchies have a minor case of this disease, and their kneecaps just naturally pop back into place on their own. However, in some cases, that doesn’t happen. Then, dogs might require surgery for the problem to be fixed.
Kneecap dislocations are often caused by a dog being overweight. Its little legs cannot sustain the weight of the body, and the knees are often the first ones to give out. To avoid that, as well as many other health issues, it is important to control the puppy’s diet at all times. That will ensure it is healthy in every way.
3. Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
IVDD affects most small-breed dogs, and Fluffy Frenchies are no exception. With this condition, the discs between the vertebrae bulge slightly or even burst into the spinal cord space.
If the discs only bulge, the condition causes pain and discomfort. However, if they burst, the dog will most likely be paralyzed, and surgery will be the only possible solution.
4. Conjunctivitis
This condition, also known as pink eye, is the most common health issue you can expect in Fluffy Frenchie. It manifests itself as redness around the eyes, accompanied by clean or greenish discharge. The condition only becomes worse because the puppy paws at its own eyes trying to scratch them and relieve the pressure and discomfort.
If you notice that your dog is blinking much more frequently than usual or has bloodshot eyes, take it to the vet. The treatment for this condition is neither too expensive nor too hard on your pup. However, it is important to start with it as soon as possible so that the disease doesn’t progress.
5. Ear Infections
Ear infections in Frenchies are most often caused by allergies. These infections are not too serious on their own. However, it is vital that you take your pup to the vet as soon as you notice any ear discharge or other problems. That way, they will be able to treat the infection immediately and prevent it from spreading any further.
6. Skin Fold Dermatitis
This condition is quite common for all Bulldogs due to their scrunched-up faces. Not many owners know that it is extremely important to clean the wrinkles in the skin thoroughly at least once a week. That will prevent any bacteria from accumulating on the skin, and this disease will not develop at all.
7. Upset Stomach Issues
When you visit your vet for the first time after getting your Fluffy Frenchie, they will give you all the advice necessary when it comes to the diet for your pup. You have to follow these instructions to a T because not doing so could cause a lot of discomfort to your pet. They have upset stomachs pretty frequently, and most of the time it happens due to an improper diet.
How Much Does a Fluffy Frenchie Cost?
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As mentioned above, Fluffy Frenchies are quite expensive. Depending on where you live, the dog’s color, and breeder, you can pay anywhere between $5,000 and $16,000 for one dog.
If you want an extremely rare color or pattern, your Frenchie might cost even more. In comparison, short-haired Bulldogs are seldom more expensive than $3,000.
There are several reasons behind such a high price. First off, just getting the long hair takes a bit of time and effort on the part of the breeder. In addition, due to the narrow hips and big heads of these puppies, the females have to give birth via a C-section.
All of that makes breeding these dogs a huge undertaking. If you also want a rare color and pattern, the price will truly skyrocket.
Another thing you need to consider before buying a Frenchie is the cost of owning one. You will need to buy food and toys and pay for many medical bills. The rarer the fur color and pattern you choose, the more health problems you will have to deal with in the future.
The best thing you could possibly do is adopting a Frenchie from a shelter. However, not many of them are there, exactly due to the fact that they are so rare.
So, if you have to buy a Fluffy Frenchie after all, just make sure you are buying it from a reliable breeder. That way, you will get a healthy pup that you will love and cherish for years to come.
Where Can You Get a Fluffy Frenchie?
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As mentioned above, it is important to do a lot of research before buying a French Bulldog. You want to find a reputable breeder who isn’t putting the dogs in danger and breeding them irresponsibly. Apart from doing so due to ethical reasons, it is also vital for your potential pup’s health.
So, you need to look at reviews for a breeder or a kennel before you make any decisions. Choosing a place you can actually visit and see for yourself is always a better choice. That way, you can make sure the place isn’t shady in any way and that the puppies are treated well and cared for in every way.
It is best to check the AKC Marketplace first. They only list breeders or kennels that have licenses and that they have worked with before. If that doesn’t help you, you can look further. As long as you check your sources and do extensive research, you should be fine.
As always, it is best to adopt a Fluffy Frenchie if that is a possibility. So, always check shelters and adoption centers first. Although these dogs rarely end up there, you might just get lucky and find your dream pup that way.
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