There are eight base variations for English bulldog colors, but the AKC only recognizes four (and various combinations with different markings.)
English Bulldog Colors
The English bulldog has eight color variations which include:
- Fawn
- Red
- Blue
- Black
- White
- Chocolate
- Lilac
- Seal
Each coat color can also come in a variety of color combinations.
Of these eight colors and color combinations, the AKC only recognizes:
- Red
- Fawn/Fallow (Varies from pale cream to light fawn and includes pale yellow and yellow-red.)
- White
- Any combination of the above
Fawn
The English bulldog has a fawn-colored coat with black coloration around the eyes, a black nose, and some light white markings.
The fawn bulldog has a black nose and black eyeliner.
Fawn and White
A variation of the fawn and white bulldog has a fawn-colored coat (that can have black-tipped hairs) and white patches of fur.
This color variation has pink skin and sometimes has pink spots on the paw pads.
Red
The red English bulldog has a deep reddish-brown coat with white coloration and a black nose and eyeliner.
Red and White
The red and white English bulldog is a variation of the red coat. This bulldog has a reddish-tan-colored coat with white markings.
This coloration is like fawn and white, but red is a more vibrant color than fawn.
Other Red Variations – Red English bulldogs can also have red and fawn coats, red merle coats, and red brindle coats.
Blue
The blue English bulldog has a steel blue/grey color coat. These dogs also have bluish coloration on their paw pads, noses, and eyeliner.
Blue and White
Blue and white English bulldog has a blue coat with white coloration.
This coloration will always have a blue/grey color on the nose, paw pads, and around the eyes.
Blue English bulldogs can also come in blue brindle, blue and tan, blue merle, blue platinum, blue tricolor, and blue fawn variations.
Black
The black bulldog has a predominantly black coat with black noses, paw pads, and eyeliner.
Black and White
The black and white English bulldog has a black coat, but they have white markings.
Black and Tan
The black and tan English bulldog has a black coat with light tan points.
Black Tri
The black tri-English bulldog has a black coat with white coloration and tan points.
The black tri bulldog has a black nose and black eyeliner.
Black bulldogs can also come in a black seal, platinum, and black merle coloration.
White
The white English bulldog has an all-white coat with a black nose.
White and Fawn
The white and fawn English bulldog has a white coat with fawn-colored markings.
This color variation has more white than fawn coloration, a black nose, and a black eye line.
White Tri
The white tri-English bulldog has a white-colored coat with some white markings and tan points. The chocolate tri is a popular color variation.
Chocolate tri bulldogs can have brindled coats, white patches on their coats, or a piebald pattern.
The white bulldog can also come with a white and tan coat and a white party coat.
Chocolate and White
The chocolate and white English bulldog has a mostly mahogany brown coat with white markings.
Chocolate puppies have no black in their fur, so their nose and eyeliner are chocolate or liver-colored.
Chocolate and Tan
The chocolate and tan English bulldog has a deep chocolate-colored coat with tan points.
These dogs have a liver or chocolate-colored nose and eyeliner like chocolate bulldogs.
Chocolate Tri
The chocolate tri-English bulldog has a dark chocolate-colored coat with some white markings and tan points.
The chocolate tri is a popular color variation. Chocolate tri bulldogs can have brindled coats, white patches on their coats, or a piebald pattern.
Other chocolate coat variations include chocolate trindle, chocolate seal, chocolate brindle, chocolate platinum fawn, and chocolate merle.
Lilac
Lilac is a twice diluted coloration – the black coat is cut by the chocolate gene, then by the blue gene.
This dilution causes the pup to have a lilac shade coat with white markings.
The lilac bulldog variations have no black or brown hairs and usually have blue eyes that mature into an amber color.
Lilac bulldogs can have lilac tri-color, lilac and tan, lilac merle, lilac seal, lilac brindle, lilac platinum, and lilac fawn coats.
Seal
The seal is a brown/red undertone that appears under various other coat colors and makes the coat look shiny.
Seal bulldogs can have a black seal, blue seal, lilac seal, and chocolate seal colorations.
English Bulldog Coat Markings and Patterns
Patterns and markings on the English bulldog include:
- Piebald
- Brindle
- Merle
- Ticking
- Tipping
- Black masks
The AKC does not recognize the merle pattern.
Piebald
Piebald describes any coat where a dog has a colored pattern on a white background.
Brindle
Dogs with brindle coats have tiger stripes, splotches, or streaks on their fur.
For example, the brindle and white English bulldog has skin colored like the fawn and white, but it has dark (black) streaks, stripes, or splotches.
Bulldogs of any coloration can have a brindle coat.
Merle
Merle is sometimes referred to as color and other times as a pattern.
Technically, a merle is a pattern, and a merle English bulldog has a mottled coat that comes in various colors.
Solid color or piebald color bulldogs can have merle patterned coats.
Dogs with a merle patterned coat may also have different colored skin pigmentation.
Ticking
Ticking is when a dog’s white hair has dots of color that give it a unique patterned appearance.
Tipping
Tipping is when the eyebrows, cheeks, inside the front of the legs, and on the sides of the chest.
Black Masks
The black mask is a patch of black fur that looks like the dog is wearing a mask.
Conclusion / Summary
The English bulldog can be various color and marking combinations, but like many breeds, the AKC only recognizes a handful.
