Fawn French Bulldogs are another lovely variation and KC-accepted type of Frenchies all over the world. There’s a wide range of colors for this variation, making a lot of confusion appear around it. Here you’ll learn:
- To identify a fawn Frenchie and all of his different within-range variations.
- The genetic codes behind thisbeautiful color.
- And more interesting facts relatedto the Fawn Frenchie.
After finishing this article you’ll be able tomasterly judge if the color of a Frenchie is fawn or within the fawn range.Let’s get started!
FawnFrench Bulldogs; another common type
Fawn French bulldogs are the second most common type of Frenchies, being the most common type of those who present the Brindle Gene. This type of Frenchie is recognized for having one of the most beautiful colors among the breed. This is a fairly relaxing color, which ranges from different tonalities that make this color one of the most complex to differentiate. It’s our second favorite Frenchie color!
We simply love the tenderness of the lighter versions of the fawn, reminiscent of the Cream French Bulldog, and the perceived strength of the “red fawn” or dark reddish variation. This is certainly a beautiful representation of the breed and one that most breeders love to produce in their litters.
AKC
Fawn French Bulldogs: variations
As wementioned, Fawn coats have a wide rangeof different tones that are still within their definition. This is thecomplexity of this type of coat. However, even though we love this one, there’sa lot of confusion to perceive it, which leaves a lot of space formisinterpretation of the color. Since the color range is wide, lighter versionsof brown or even the so-called “Chocolate Frenchie” can be passed asdarker variations of Fawn, which can be bad for the preservation of the breed.
Here’s theperfect definition of the Fawn range so you know how to identify a Fawn FrenchBulldog:
- Light Fawn:This coloring is slightly darker than the Cream French Bulldog coat color, andit can also be called pale tan or yellowish tan. It’s indeed yellowish inappearance and sometimes it appears to be vanilla.
- Caramel Fawn:It’s the middle point. It appears to be a light caramel coloring, slightlydarker than the Light Fawn above.
- Red Fawn: This is the darkest variation. It is a dark fawn that appears to be red in the darkest parts of the coat. It’s similar to the color of some types of deer.
All of these colors are considered to be within the fawn range. If you see a Frenchie that is darker, it might be a Tan Frenchie, which is a fad color, or a faulty Frenchie. If it is lighter, it might be a cream Frenchie.
Frenchie’sgenetics behind Fawn coats
The color of a dog’s coat is directly determined by genetics. In this case, the genetic code for fawn coats is stored in the A-locus, and it’s called the Ay gene. This gene interacts in the A-locus with the At (tan and point color), Aw (for sable), and A (for black) genes. The Ay gene is dominant over At and a, and at the same time, it’s very similar to the Aw gene. Also, the A-locus is recessive while interacting with one part of the Kbr gene, if present, in the K-locus. As we mentioned in the Brindle French Bulldog article, if the K-locus has two Ky genes (allowing gene), then Brindling is not present, and other Loci take their place to determine the color of the dog’s coat. Now, if two Ky genes are present, the A-locus is the first choice to determine it:
- If the A-locus is filled with two Ay genes, the dog will be Fawn.
- If it has one Ay gene and one At gene, the dog will be fawn.
- The same happens if there’s one Ay gene and one a gene.
- If there’s one Ay gene and one Aw gene, the dog will be Fawn with some sort of black marking – still within standards.
- If the Ay gene is not present, the Aw gene takes its place, and since it’s both similar and dominant, At genes and As genes are never displayed in a Frenchie coat! That’s why Frenchies are not Black or Sable. Learn more about the Black French Bulldog here!
This is oneof the simplest ways of ruling out the Black color coat in a Frenchie’s coat.Still, the Black French Bulldog can be produced through experimentation withtheir genetic codes.
“Despite the huge variety in coat color, there are only two basic pigments that determine the color of canines: eumelanin (black) and phaeomelanin (red). All different variations in color are created by these two pigments, which are both forms of melanin”
VCA Hospitals
Whatabout the Fawn Pied?
Pied Frenchies must carry two copies of the S gene in the recessive white locus to be pied. That means there are carriers of the S gene that are not pied but can have pied French Bulldogs puppies if paired with another carrier. Now, for the Fawn Pied French Bulldog, the dog must carry two copies of the S gene, at least one copy of the Ay gene, and two copies of the Ky gene in the K-locus.
Are there other versions of Frenchie Fawn?
There are versions like Blue Fawn, Grey Fawn, or others that are not accepted by any standards. Those are marketing gimmicks, such as the Teacup Frenchie or the Blue Frenchie. You must fully avoid these types of French Bulldogs since both are highly susceptible to different conditions. Some of them are heart, respiratory, and cervical issues for the Teacup version, and Blue dog alopecia, which can lead to cancer in Blue French Bulldogs.
Conclusion
Whenever people talk about the color of Frenchies we perceive a lot of confusion. We must assure you, as true lovers of French Bulldogs, that the AKC and other Kennel Club-accepted colors were chosen for a reason. White, Cream, and Fawn are accepted in clubs all over the world, as well as a different set of markings and patterns. Here at FrenchBulldogClub.org, we love to promote the real colors of the breed.
And, forus, Fawn French Bulldogs are among the most beautiful dogs that have everexisted! Why should you settle with fad or fake (and sickly!) colors?
Are you ready to getyour Fawn French Bulldog?
