Chocolate French Bulldog: Complete Guide

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If you’re a French Bulldog lover, you already know what this dog breed looks like – small dogs with short heads and flat snouts. They either have short hair or long fluffy hair and usually come in fawn, white, brindle, and cream coat colors. But you’re here because you’re interested in the rare Chocolate French Bulldog.

We’ll discuss everything you need to know about the Chocolate Frenchie, including genetic profile, common health issues, personality, temperament, exercise requirement, diet, and more! Let’s dive right in!

Table of Contents

Chocolate French Bulldog genetic profile

Chocolate French Bulldogs are a rare genetic variation of the French Bulldog. These lovely canines are highly sought-after, thanks to their unique chocolaty brown color.

However, not every brown-looking French Bulldog is a Chocolate. Sometimes, fawn and brindle can make a Frenchie look that way. The only way to tell if your Frenchie is a Chocolate French Bulldog is by getting a DNA test.

A true Chocolate French Bulldog carries the elusive (bb) alleles at the B locus in its DNA. It was the only criterion to determine if a Frenchie is Chocolate or not. But recent studies have shown the Chocolate gene can occur elsewhere too.

Chocolate French Bulldog history

Chocolate French Bulldogs are a unique version of the French Bulldog. These bulldogs were shipped from England to France because they didn’t fulfill the breed criteria with their tiny size and bat-like ears. In France, they became pretty popular as companion dogs.

Some say the bat-like upright ears were a natural characteristic in bulldogs that breeders saw as defective. Others say the ears came after the French crossed bulldogs with local ratter dogs.

Either way, these tiny bulldogs became their own breed called the French Bulldog.

Chocolate French Bulldog appearance

Chocolate Frenchies have a rare and gorgeous coat color, which is like a chocolaty shade of brown. Some have a dark chocolate coat, while some appear more like milk chocolate.

These dogs also have light-colored eyes, and you can find them with green, brown, golden, and even yellow eyes! In all other aspects, they’re just like regular Frenchies.

RECOMMENDED: Fawn Frenchie (Complete Guide)

Why Are Chocolate French Bulldogs Unique?

Chocolate Frenchies are unique because the gene responsible for the chocolate coat is recessive and rare. The fact that the AKC doesn’t consider Chocolate a standard French Bulldog coat color has also kept breeders from producing more of these gorgeous dogs.

The recent surge in popularity has compelled more breeders to try and produce Chocolate Frenchies. However, a true Chocolate French Bulldog doesn’t just look brown, but it also has the right genes.

Testable Chocolate French Bulldog vs. Non Testable Chocolate French Bulldog

If you have a dark brown French Bulldog and want to know if it’s a Chocolate French Bulldog, get him or her DNA tested.

The test will check the B locus on the dog’s DNA, where the Chocolate gene is supposed to be. If the result shows B locus carrying “bb”, congratulations, you have a “testable” Chocolate French Bulldog.

The DNA result will show the alphabet “BB” in many other cases, meaning your dog is not Chocolate. But fret not! You may still have what’s called a “non-testable Chocolate Frenchie”. To test if your Frenchie is a non-testable Chocolate, you can perform a Chocolate French Bulldog red eye glow test.

Do this by taking your Frenchie in a dark room and shining a light from a distance—their eyes should glow bright red. If they don’t glow red, you don’t have a Chocolate Frenchie.

You may also be interested in: Do Bulldogs Have Tails?

Chocolate French Bulldog with other coat colors

frenchie chocolate merle — Chocolate chip French Bulldog

Chocolate Frenchies are rare, but you can find them in colors and patterns other than solid chocolate. A Chocolate French Bulldog with spots or patches of another color is usually called a Chocolate Pied French Bulldog.

Unfortunately, the AKC doesn’t approve of any combination of chocolate, so none of the following colors are AKC recognized.

Chocolate merle French Bulldog

Merle is an unusual pattern, and a Chocolate Merle French Bulldog price is usually pretty high. You can find the Chocolate Merle Frenchie, the Chocolate and tan merle French Bulldog, or the Chocolate tri merle French bulldog going for tens of thousands of dollars.

Chocolate fawn French Bulldog

A Chocolate fawn Frenchie carries the light brown color with chocolate. For a French bulldog, chocolate fawn is a pretty rare color combo. Some breeders have even been able to produce the chocolate blue fawn French Bulldog.

Chocolate and tan French Bulldog

Black and tan is a sought-after color combo for Frenchies, but a Chocolate tan French Bulldog is even rarer and pricier. A Chocolate and tan French bulldog price can be more or less than a pure Chocolate French Bulldog; it depends on how the breeder markets it.

Chocolate brindle French Bulldog

milk chocolate french bulldog — Chocolate brindle French Bulldog

A Chocolate brindle Frenchie has a chocolate base coat with black tiger-like stripes. The average Chocolate brindle French bulldog price can be $8,000 or higher, depending on how the seller markets them. For the French Bulldog, Chocolate brindle has become a coveted coat color.

Chocolate tri French Bulldog

A Chocolate tri Frenchie carries two rare color genes along with chocolate. A Chocolate tri color French bulldog or Chocolate tri merle French bulldog will have two other colors in its coat, plus chocolate.

Chocolate sable French Bulldog

A Chocolate fawn sable French Bulldog will have the chocolate color plus sable. Sable is fawn with black tips and is a striking coat color.

Blue Chocolate French Bulldog

Blue Chocolate French Bulldogs are very rare since both these colors are unique. You can get a puppy in this color if one parent is blue and the other is Chocolate.

Dark Chocolate French Bulldog

Dark Chocolate French Bulldogs are usually non-testable Chocolate or Cocoa Frenchies.

Chocolate platinum French Bulldog

Platinum is a diluted cream color. If the Frenchie carries the chocolate (bb), cream (e), and dilution (dd) genes, you get a Chocolate Platinum French Bulldog.

Chocolate lilac and tan French Bulldog

A Chocolate Lilac French Bulldog happens when a non-testable Chocolate French Bulldog also carries the dilution gene “dd.”

What are the most rare French Bulldog colors?

1. Pure black

Pure black coat color is highly desired among dog breeders and enthusiasts. Black isn’t standard for Frenchies, and pure black is even rarer.

2. Sable

Sable is a shade of fawn with black tips, meaning the fur is black on the edges and fawn overall. Getting a French bulldog in this unique pattern is not easy, and these dogs fetch a high price.

For more information: Check out Sable French Bulldog – Complete Guide to learn what’s causing this rare sable color and how much do Sable French Bulldogs cost.

3. Blue

Blue is an even rarer variation of black. This coat appearance comes from a unique blue gene that changes the fur and skin color of the Frenchie. Blue French Bulldogs can sometimes have blue eyes.

4. Merle

Merle is a coat pattern and is also caused by a rare gene. Merle French Bulldogs carry blue or red spots over a fawn, white, cream, or chocolate coat.

You might also like: Cream French Bulldog (Complete Guide)

5. Chocolate

Chocolate is ultra-rare among Frenchies. Chocolate French Bulldogs also display striking eye colors like yellow, golden, and green.

Chocolate French Bulldog personality and temperament

Chocolate Frenchies have the same personality as regular Frenchies. They’re sociable, playful, and friendly dogs that don’t bark too often.

Chocolate French Bulldogs are highly adaptable, meaning they can easily adjust to any home or living situation. Don’t expect them to be good watchdogs, though. Their tiny body, friendly attitude, and silent nature mean they’re not suited for watchdog duty.

Chocolate French Bulldog exercise requirement

Chocolate French Bulldogs require about an hour of exercise daily. However, these dogs have breathing issues, and you should avoid anything that makes them breathe hard.

LEARN MORE HERE: How Far Can French Bulldogs Walk? (Incl. How Long & How Often)

Stick to gentle walks and avoid jogging, running, playing fetch, and other strenuous exercises. It’s also better to split their daily activity into two, so they get time to rest.

ALSO READ: Gray French Bulldog (Complete Guide)

Training a Chocolate French Bulldog

With a bit of positive reinforcement, words of encouragement, and occasional treats, you can train your Chocolate Frenchie with no trouble. These dogs are naturally social, meaning you won’t need to spend too much time on socialization training either.

Chocolate French Bulldog diet

Choco Frenchies need about 980 calories tops. But the exact caloric requirement depends on your Chocolate Frenchie’s age, health, and weight. We recommend feeding your Chocolate French Bulldog 25 to 35 calories per pound of body weight per day.

Common health issues in Chocolate French Bulldog

Chocolate French Bulldogs are naturally prone to several health issues. But unlike some coat colors like blue, albino, and merle, Chocolate French Bulldogs only suffer from health issues associated with a regular French Bulldog.

Here are 10 common health problems in Chocolate Frenchies.

1. Dental issues

Chocolate French Bulldogs are prone to dental problems. Due to their small mouths and closely packed teeth, ensuring thorough hygiene isn’t easy. Failing to keep clean can lead to infection, cavities, and gum diseases.

2. Brachycephalic issues

The Chocolate French Bulldog is a Brachycephalic dog breed, meaning it has a short head with a flat snout. This unusual skull shape makes for a congested and narrow respiratory path.

3. Luxating patella

Patellar luxation is when a dog’s knee joints randomly pop out of its sockets. This recurring dislocation can cause heavy wear on its joints, leading to arthritis.

4. Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is when a Chocolate French Bulldog’s hip joint doesn’t develop properly, resulting in the leg bone grinding against its socket. This condition also leads to arthritis and eventual loss of functionality.

5. Allergies

Chocolate French Bulldogs are especially sensitive to food and environmental allergens. Food allergies cause diarrhea and other gastric troubles. Environmental allergies make breathing difficult and cause several eye diseases.

6. Eye infection

The Chocolate Frenchie also suffers from eye problems like corneal ulcers, pinkeye, entropion, cherry eye, and dry eye. The large exposed eyes of these dogs make them prone to infections, injuries, allergies, and other diseases.

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7. Reproductive issues

Chocolate French Bulldogs have narrow hips and have trouble giving natural birth. Male Chocolate Frenchies also have difficulty successfully inseminating females.

8. Weak spine

Chocolate Frenchies are delicate dogs with weak backbones. They also suffer from spinal issues like Intervertebral Disk Back Disease (IVDD), ingrown tail, and spinal cord compression. Some of these problems can even lead to paralysis.

9. Indigestion and diarrhea

Chocolate French Bulldogs suffer from food sensitivities and have trouble dealing with abrupt changes in diet. Stick to a routine diet and keep experimental and human foods away from your Chocolate Frenchie.

10. Skin infections

Skinfold dermatitis is a common Chocolate Frenchie issue. These dogs have several areas of wrinkly skin on their bodies. Clean these folds regularly to prevent dirt, grime, or moisture from becoming breeding grounds for bacteria.

How to care for a Chocolate French Bulldog

Chocolate French Bulldogs are sensitive creatures that require a bit more care than a regular dog. That’s why despite being otherwise easy to handle, the need for extra care makes Chocolate Frenchies better suited for experienced dog owners.

Here are 5 things Chocolate Frenchie owners should ensure.

1. Avoid using a collar

A regular collar and leash would put too much strain on a Chocolate Frenchie’s throat and neck. Since these dogs already have difficulty breathing, it’s best to use a dog harness when going out for walks.

2. Keep skin folds clean

Folds of skin on a Chocolate French Bulldog’s body require special attention and regular cleaning. Failing to tend to these creases will trap moisture and dirt and cause skin irritation and infection.

3. Health and fitness

Obesity is the gateway to numerous canine diseases. In Chocolate French Bulldogs, obesity can lead to joint issues, hip problems, spine issues, heart diseases, and respiratory dysfunctions. Ensure proper health and fitness through light, non-strenuous exercises.

4. Treat them like a toddler

Although you shouldn’t treat your dog like your child, Chocolate French Bulldogs require careful attention and supervision—a lot like toddlers. These dogs are injury-prone and would do stupid things that put their lives in danger such as jumping off a couch and breaking a leg.

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Chocolate French Bulldog puppy

Before buying or adopting a Chocolate French Bulldog puppy, make sure to investigate its parentage and the reputability of the breeder. These pups are expensive, and you don’t want to get ripped off or your hard-earned money going to waste if you desire a Chocolate French Bulldog.

Blue and Chocolate French Bulldog puppies

Blue and Chocolate French Bulldog puppies are exceptionally rare, but you can find them if you go through some Frenchie breeders. Of course, you can expect the prices to be high, but that’s what rarity costs.

DON’T MISS: Blue French Bulldog (Complete Guide)

Chocolate brown French Bulldog puppies

Chocolate brown, light brown, dark brown, or whether your puppy carries the chocolate gene or not, you can expect them to grow into lovable majestic Frenchies.

Do Chocolate French Bulldogs shed?

Yes, Chocolate French Bulldogs do shed. Chocolate Frenchies shed all year, particularly during the spring and fall seasons. Regular grooming helps make sure they don’t shed all over your house.

Besides, they’re small dogs who don’t make much of a mess. Still, they’re not suitable for people with dog allergies.

Chocolate French Bulldog grooming needs

Brushing your Chocolate French Bulldog once a week is enough to keep their gorgeous chocolate coat shiny and clean. Brushing distributes the natural oils evenly on the fur, keeping the skin healthy as well.

Grooming also helps Chocolate French Bulldog owners discover any health issues they didn’t know existed, including ear infections, infected skin, or cysts.

Is a Chocolate French Bulldog right for me?

Chocolate French Bulldogs are rare, but they’re just like any other color of French bulldogs. These little dogs require extra attention and healthcare. If you can give them that, this dog will make the perfect companion.