Lilac French bulldogs are a rare colored variation of the French bulldog breed. These Frenchies have most of the characteristics of regular French bulldogs, although a recessive gene gives them their light lilac coat.
Whether you’re looking for a Lilac Frenchie or want to know all the buzz, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll learn everything you need to know in this definitive guide to lilac French bulldogs.
Breed Overview: Lilac French Bulldog
| Breed Name | Lilac French Bulldog |
| Other Name | Isabella French Bulldog |
| Origin | England |
| Lifespan | Up to 12 years |
| Breed type | Purebred |
| Size | Small |
| Height | 10 to 12 inches |
| Weight | Up to 20 pounds |
| Color | Grayish Purple and Lilac |
| Coat | Short with smooth hair |
| Temperament | Friendly, affectionate, and loyal |
| Exercise requirement | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Energy level | Low |
| Attention need | High, very social |
| Snore | Moderate |
| Bark Capacity | Low |
Lilac French Bulldog Breed History
French bulldogs are a breed with a rich history. During the Industrial Revolution, more families were looking for small companion dogs.
To make a smaller breed, they bred bulldogs and terriers. Due to its popularity in France, French bulldogs soon became known as this new breed of bulldog.
Today, French bulldogs are a recognized breed in kennel clubs around the world. The American Kennel Club recognizes several coat variations in the breed, including fawn, red, cream, and white.
They also recognize a variety of markings, such as brindle, piebald, black, and masks.
In addition to the AKC-recognized colors, there are some rare colors like merle, chocolate, blue, and lilac.
These rare colors are popular with pet owners but are not recognized by the American Kennel Club. Lilac, also commonly called Isabella, is one of these coat colors.
Breeders paired dogs with distinctive purple or blueish tones to achieve the lilac color.
Since this intentionally bred color is relatively new, it is officially labeled a “defect” by kennel clubs. Though it disqualifies them from kennel clubs, this rare color is in high demand.
Lilac French Bulldog Physical Appearance
Lilac Frenchies are small dogs that weigh between 22 and 28 pounds and stand between 11 and 13 inches tall.
In most respects, they’re exactly the same as regular French bulldogs. They have smooth, short coats and large ears.
Their wrinkled, flat faces are one of their most defining features. However, lilac Frenchies don’t always have the exact same facial features since the gene that impacts their color also causes slight changes to their face shape.
Frenchies also have compact, sturdy bodies with large heads. Their eyes are large and sometimes bulge out of their heads. Lilac Frenchies have patches of light pink skin around their eyes and under their paws.
Their coat color is a distinct lilac color that covers the entire body. This color occurs when the dog has a dilution gene (one that’s also present in blue Frenchies).
When both parents carry this recessive gene, they have a chance of passing it on to their offspring.
Their coats don’t have the distinctive lilac hue when they’re first born. Instead, they appear darker. As they age, their coat lightens into the signature lilac color.
Their eyes can be blue, grey, or amber-colored. Lilac Frenchies typically have grey noses with pink spots.
Temperament of a Lilac French Bulldog
Lilac Frenchies have the same temperament as other French bulldogs. They are mellow and friendly dogs that would rather cuddle up on the couch than go for a walk.
While they bring a lot of energy to their play, they also wear out easily (since their flat faces make breathing and heat regulation difficult).
- Sociable: They are very social dogs that are prone to separation anxiety.
- Kid-friendly: They do well with children and other pets when socialized and trained as puppies.
- Affectionate: They may be uncontrollably anxious when their owners are away for more than a few minutes.
- Friendly: They are friendlier than other small dog breeds. They aren’t prone to nipping or barking, although they can sometimes be protective of their space.
- Low activity: Since they aren’t very active, they do well in households with seniors or housebound individuals.
Training Needs for a Lilac French Bulldog
Lilac French bulldogs are intelligent dogs with a people-pleasing bent. Since these dogs are friendly and love to please their owners, they are usually pretty easy to train.
However, lilac Frenchies can also be headstrong and stubborn. Don’t worry, they’re not alone.
Even though they are stubborn, you can train them if you consistently work on their commands. They are very food-motivated dogs and learn quickly that doing certain things means they get a treat.
Positive reinforcement works particularly well for Frenchies, who love being praised and getting treats.
It’s important to invest in training and socializing your lilac Frenchie from a young age. When they have early interactions with children and other pets, they have better interactions with them later on.
Isabella Frenchies have a low prey drive, making them great companions for households with young children and senior adults.
Training can help minimize resource guarding and nipping, behaviors that sometimes occur in Frenchies.
Diet and Nutrition for a Lilac French Bulldog
Even though they aren’t the most athletic dogs, lilac French bulldogs need high-quality food to maintain healthy energy levels. They usually need diets full of protein, calcium, vitamins, and healthy fats.
Frenchies of all coat colors are prone to skin problems, so dietary supplements may be needed to support skin and coat health.
It’s important to measure out your lilac Frenchie’s food with the portion size recommended by your dog’s veterinarian. French bulldogs are prone to obesity since they love food and live relatively sedentary lives.
Their diet should have at least 18% protein and 5% healthy fats. They’ll need larger portions to support their growing bodies until they’re fully grown. Vitamins and minerals are important for building healthy bones and muscles.
Ideally, their diet should be primarily high-quality animal protein such as beef, lamb, chicken, and fish. The healthy fats they get from these meat sources will also promote healthy skin and coat.
While you should always consult your dog’s veterinarian to determine the healthiest diet for your dog, lilac French bulldogs usually need daily portions of between 25 and 35 calories per pound of body weight.
Exercise Needs for Lilac French Bulldogs
Isabella Frenchies don’t need a lot of exercise, like other Frenchie breeds. While they’ll gladly accompany you for a short walk around the park, they wear out easily because of breathing problems caused by their flattened noses.
They bring a lot of energy to playtime. You can typically fulfill their exercise needs by playing with your lilac Frenchie in the comfort of your living room.
They love to fetch toys and play with you. Since they don’t need long walks every day, they are a good fit for people who don’t go out much.
Lilac French Bulldog Health Problems & Lifespan
As a breed, French bulldogs (not just Lilac or Merles) struggle with a variety of health issues. Even with responsible breeding, these issues are still common in lilac Frenchies.
Since most of these conditions are worsened by weight gain, it’s important to monitor your lilac French bulldog’s food intake to help maintain a healthy weight.
Lilac Frenchies commonly end up with the following medical conditions:
- Breathing problems: French Bulldogs may encounter breathing issues due to their distinctive short snouts and flat faces. Common respiratory issues include stenotic nares, an elongated soft palate, and tracheal collapse.
- Allergies: French Bulldogs are prone to food and environmental allergies that affect their health and well-being. Common symptoms of allergies include hair loss, itching and scratching, skin irritation, and digestive issues.
- Hearing loss: Chronic ear infections can cause premature hearing loss for Lilac Frenchies, so it’s important to check their ears regularly for signs of infection.
- Joint problems: Joint problems are one of the most common French Bulldog health problems. Conditions such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation (dislocation of the knee joint), and arthritis can severely affect their comfort and motility.
- Eye problems: French Bulldogs are prone to eye problems, including cherry eye, entropion, cataract, etc.
Even though they often develop one or all of these conditions, Isabella Frenchies have a lifespan of 10 to 14 years.
Getting preventative care and providing a healthy lifestyle can help you lengthen your lilac Frenchie’s life.
Grooming Needs for Lilac French Bulldogs
Lilac Frenchies have relatively low-maintenance grooming needs. While you should brush them regularly to remove loose fur and redistribute their body’s oils across their coat, their short fur isn’t prone to matting or tangles.
If your lilac French bulldog becomes excessively dirty, you may need to give him a bath. In general, they should be bathed no more than once a month.
Too many baths can irritate their sensitive skin. Make sure to purchase dog shampoo formulated for breeds with sensitive skin to help mitigate these risks.
You should regularly clean the folds of skin on their face and tail since these folds can become irritated or infected if left uncleaned.
To remove all debris, wet a cloth with warm water and gently wipe it between the folds of the skin. Make sure to dry thoroughly since dampness can lead to bacterial growth.
Like all dog breeds, Isabella Frenchies require regular nail clipping and dental care. You should brush your Frenchie’s teeth twice a week to prevent painful dental issues.
Since French bulldogs are prone to eye and ear infections, you should regularly clean and inspect their ears and eyes.
Lilac French Bulldog Price – How Much Is A Lilac Bulldog?
Lilac Frenchies are some of the most expensive French bulldogs available. The average price is between $5000 and $15,000.
There are those who pay significantly more for this variation since they consider it to be a luxury companion dog.
Finding these dogs in shelters is very rare, although they may occasionally be surrendered. The adoption fee will typically be significantly less than the cost of buying an Isabella French bulldog puppy.
Final Thoughts on Lilac French Bulldog
Lilac French bulldogs are a rare variation of the French bulldog breeds. These beautiful dogs are in high demand, which lends to their high cost.
If you’re looking for a gorgeous companion dog and have the money to spend, these adorable dogs might be right for you.
As pretty as they are, Isabella Frenchies have many known health problems. Compared to other breeds, they’re relatively unhealthy. Despite this, a healthy diet and plenty of playtime can help them live long and happy lives.
