What Are Long-Haired French Bulldogs and How Rare Are They?
Long-haired French Bulldogs are the latest “hot” breed sweeping the world and filling social media with adorable pictures. But what are long-haired French Bulldogs? How rare are they? Are long-haired French Bulldogs mixed with other dog breeds? How long is the fur of a fluffy Frenchie?
Keep reading to learn more about these fun pups!
What Are Long-Haired French Bulldogs?
Long-haired French Bulldogs are Frenchies with a rare recessive gene (called the L4 gene) that causes their fur to grow longer than the more common short-haired French Bulldogs. Both parents must carry this recessive gene for them to produce a puppy with long hair. Interestingly, two short-haired Frenchies can have a long-haired puppy if both parents carry the long-haired gene.
How Rare Are Long-Haired French Bulldogs?
It’s hard to say exactly how rare long-haired French Bulldogs are. Long-haired Frenchies are disqualified from showing because their fluffy fur is considered a fault, so breeders had been trying to avoid producing long-haired pups for more than a century. Now that these dogs are becoming trendy, people are deliberately trying to breed long-haired Frenchies, but the long-haired variety still represents a small percentage of all French Bulldogs.
It’s impossible to know for sure, but estimates are that perhaps only around 1% of all French Bulldogs have long hair.
Are Long-Haired Frenchies Mutts?
The short answer is no; however, there’s a big “BUT:” True long-haired French Bulldogs are simply purebred Frenchies that carry two copies of the recessive long-haired gene. However, with the popularity of this dog breed, there may be unscrupulous breeders mixing Frenchies with long-haired dog breeds as a shortcut to creating long-haired French Bulldogs since true long-haired Frenchies are hard to come by.
So, while long-haired Frenchies don’t need to be mutts, they may be, so do your research before choosing a breeder if you want a long-haired French Bulldog puppy.
How Long Is the Fur of Long-Haired French Bulldogs?
The fur of long-haired Frenchies is about 2-3 times longer than regular French Bulldogs, especially around their ears and legs. Their fur is still usually less than 1-2” long - enough to be fluffy without being difficult to care for or need haircuts.
Are Long-Haired French Bulldogs More Expensive Than Short-Haired Frenchies?
Yes! Between their rarity and their high demand, long-haired French Bulldogs can cost $10,000-$20,000 or more!
Are Long-Haired Frenchies Included in the AKC Breed Standard?
No, the AKC breed standard for French Bulldogs calls for short hair in white, fawn, cream, brindle, or combinations of any of those two colors. Merle, pied, and other colors do not meet the AKC breed standard. With that said, long-haired French Bulldogs can be registered with the AKC, but they can’t be shown.
Do Long-Haired French Bulldogs Have More Health Problems Than Short-Haired Frenchies?
Not necessarily. There aren’t any health conditions tied to the long-haired gene in French Bulldogs. However, breeders that focus their breeding program based primarily on coat length may not pay as much attention to other common health problems with the breed. Additionally, all French Bulldogs, due to their flat face and rapid rise in popularity, are extremely prone to numerous health problems, including:
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome (obstructed airway and difficulty breathing)
- Intervertebral disc disease and other spinal conditions or malformations
- Reproductive problems (most Frenchies are born via cesarean section)
- Cataracts and other eye problems
- Intestinal malabsorption disorders
- Infections in skin folds
- Narrowed nostrils, making it difficult to breathe properly
- Skin dermatitis
- Increased chance of having a heatstroke
In fact, French Bulldogs have significantly higher odds of developing health problems than most other dog breeds, so if you want one, it’s critical to do your research and find a reputable breeder who is trying to improve the health of this adorable breed.
Long-haired Frenchies have fun personalities, and they can be fabulous pets, just be aware that you may need to pay a lot of vet bills in exchange for the joy of owning this breed.