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French Bulldog DNA
Explained

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French Bulldog DNA Color Charts

The French Bulldog DNA color chart is the ultimate guide to understanding a Frenchie’s genetic traits. The chart includes specific loci, such as E, K, A, B, D, S, M, and Coco, and analyzing them can help you predict a French Bulldog’s coat color and pattern. This blog is all you need to understand the DNA color chart. Keep reading to find out more!

E Locus

Coloring

Exclusion

Carrier/Cover

Masked

Masked

Masked

carries cream

carries cream

No Mask

No Mask

Solid Cream

Hides K Locus/ A Locus Coloring

Gene 1

Gene 2

Em

Em

Em

E

Em

e

E

E

E

e

e

e

The E Locus has the following combinations of genes:

1. Em / Em: This combination means that your Frenchie will have a masked appearance.

2. Em / E: The bulldog will have a masked appearance. 

3. Em / e: Also a masked appearance combination.

4. E / E: This means that the dog will not have a mask but might carry the cream gene.

5. E / e: No mask but might carry the cream gene. 

6. e / e: The dog will have a solid cream color and will hide other colorings (K Locus and A Locus)

K Locus

Coloring

Exclusion

Carrier/Cover

Brindle

Brindle

Fawn

Carries non-brindle

Gene 1

Gene 2

Kbr

Kbr

Kbr

Ky

Ky

Ky

Unless ee, then cream

Unless ee, then cream

Unless ee, then cream

The K Locus Frenchie DNA color chart has three possible combinations. However, if your dog has the e e genes, then they will override all K Locus results.

 

1. Kbr / Kbr: Will have brindle color.

2. Kbr / Ky: This also means that the dog will have a brindle color.

3. Ky / Ky: The dog will display a fawn color.

Unless ee, then cream

Unless ee, then cream

Unless ee, then cream

Unless ee, then cream

Unless ee, then cream

Unless ee, then cream

Aw

a

Fawn/Sable

Fawn/Sable

Wild Sable/Agouti

Wild Sable/Agouti

Unless ee, then cream

carries recessive black

carries tan points

carries recessive black

At

At

At

a

Tan Points/Black and Tan

Tan Points/Black and Tan

Unless ee, then cream

Unless ee, then cream

Unless ee, then cream

covers brindle gene

carries recessive black

covers brindle gene

A Locus

Coloring

Exclusion

Carrier/Cover

Fawn

Fawn/Sable

carries tan points

Wild Sable/Agouti

Gene 1

Gene 2

Ay

Ay

Ay

Aw

Ay

At

Ay

Aw

a

Aw

Aw

At

a

a

Solid Black

The A Locus has multiple combinations. Similar to K Locus, if your French Bulldog has the e e genes, they will overrule all A Locus results.

 

1. Ay / Ay: The dog will display fawn color.

2. Ay / Aw: Fawn or sable color.

3. Ay / At: Fawn or sable color and might carry tan points genes.

4. Ay / a: Will have fawn or sable color and may also carry recessive black genes.

5. Aw / Aw: Wild sable or agouti color.

6. Aw / At: Wild sable or agouti color but can carry tan points.

7. Aw / a: The dog will have either wild sable or agouti coloring and also carry recessive black.

8. At / At: Tan points or black and tan coloring, and covers the brindle gene.

9. At / a: Tan points or black and tan coloring. Carries recessive black. 

10. a / a: The Frenchie will have a solid black color and cover the brindle gene.

B Locus

Coloring

Exclusion

Carrier/Cover

Not Chocolate

Gene 1

Gene 2

B

B

B

b

b

b

*some Frenchies are considered

“non-testable chocolate”

with “red-eye glow”

Not Chocolate

Carries Chocolate

Chocolate

The B locus Frenchie DNA chart determines the chocolate coloring of your dog. The possible combinations are:

 

1. B / B: Not a chocolate color.

2. B / b: Not chocolate but carries the chocolate gene. 

3. b / b: The dog will have a chocolate coloring.

D Locus

Coloring

Exclusion

Carrier/Cover

Not Blue

Not Blue

Blue

carries blue

Gene 1

Gene 2

D

D

D

d

d

d

The D locus French Bulldog DNA chart tells us about the blue coloring in your dog. Here are the possible combinations:

 

1. D / D: Not a blue color.

2. D / d: Not blue but carries the blue gene.

3. d / d: The dog will have a blue coloring.

S Locus

Coloring

Exclusion

Carrier/Cover

Not Pied

Not Pied

Pied

carries pied

Gene 1

Gene 2

S

S

S

s

s

s

The S Locus determines the dog’s pied pattern. Combinations include:

 

1. S / S: The Frenchie will not have a pied pattern.

2. S / s: Not pied but carries the pied gene.

3. s / s: Has a pied pattern.

M Locus

Coloring

Exclusion

Carrier/Cover

Merle

Merle

Not Merle

carries merle

Gene 1

Gene 2

M

M

M

m

m

m

The M Locus tells us about the Merle coat pattern found in French Bulldogs.

 

1. M / M: The dog will have a merle coat.

2. M / m: Will display a merle coat pattern and carry the merle gene.

3. m / m: Does not have a merle coat.

Coco

Coloring

Exclusion

Carrier/Cover

Not Chocolate 

carries chocolate

Gene 1

Gene 2

Co

Co

Co

co

co

co

"Testable" But
Not Chocolate 

Chocolate 

The Coco chart explains whether your French Bulldog DNA has chocolate coloring and is considered ‘testable.’ The possible combinations are:

 

1. Co/Co: The bulldog will not display chocolate coloring.

2. Co/co: This is considered testable but is not chocolate color. However, it carries the chocolate gene.

3. co/co: The dog will have a chocolate color.

Color Combinations

Fur Colors

Descriptions 

Lilac or Isabella

Blue & Chocolate–dd & bb (blue with testable chocolate on the B Locus is Isabella)
OR
dd & coco (blue with testable coco is Lilac)

Platinum
(Isabella Platinum or Lilac Platinum)

Blue, Chocolate, & Cream (shows as cream coat)—dd, bb, & ee OR dd, coco, & ee

Blue & Tan

Blue with Tan Points—dd & at/a OR dd & at/at

Quad Carrier

Has the ability to produce 4 colors in puppies, depending on the other parent’s DNA profile (has recessive genes or carries recessive genes for 4 colors)

Tri Carrier

Has the ability to produce 3 colors in puppies, depending on the other parent’s DNA profile (has recessive genes or carries recessive genes for 3 colors)

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