Storm our Blue Fawn Pug who is one of our foundation stud dogs in our blue and lilac pug programmes
Coco, one of the foundation chocolate Pugs contributing to the future lilac Pug programme at Le Epitome Kennels
Lilac Pug Puppies in New Zealand
Le Epitome Kennels has not yet bred a lilac Pug, but we now have much of the established chocolate and blue genetics needed to reach that goal. Several chocolate Pugs within our programme, including Coco, Cinnamon and Nutmeg, are confirmed to carry blue. With the right future pairing and a little genetic luck, this gives us the potential to produce lilac, lilac and tan, or eventually even lilac fluffy Pugs. Families can explore the foundation of this programme through our chocolate Pug lines, our blue Pug programme and our dog colour and coat genetics guide .
How Lilac Pug Colour Is Produced
Lilac is produced when a Pug inherits both chocolate and blue dilution genetics. The blue dilution softens the underlying chocolate pigment, creating the pale grey-brown or silvery colour commonly described as lilac. The exact shade can vary between dogs and may also be influenced by other inherited colour and pattern traits.
A puppy must receive the required inherited traits from both parents. This means that two dogs may look chocolate, blue or another colour while still carrying genetics that could contribute to lilac puppies. DNA testing helps us identify these possibilities and plan pairings, but it cannot guarantee which combination each puppy will inherit.
Lilac may appear as solid lilac, lilac and tan, lilac fawn or alongside other recognised patterns and coat types. You can learn more about the foundation colours through our chocolate Pug programme and blue Pug programme, or explore the inheritance in greater detail in our dog colour and coat genetics guide .
Our Path Toward New Zealand’s First Lilac Pug
Le Epitome Kennels has not yet produced a lilac Pug, but the foundations are already present within our breeding programme. Coco, Cinnamon and Nutmeg are chocolate Pugs confirmed to carry blue, giving us several possible routes toward producing lilac puppies in a future litter.
A suitable pairing could involve one of these females with a lilac male, a blue male confirmed to carry chocolate, or another chocolate Pug confirmed to carry blue. Depending on the complete genetics of both parents, these pairings could produce lilac, lilac and tan or other related colour combinations.
Having the required genetics does not mean every litter will contain a lilac puppy. Each puppy inherits its own combination of traits, so even a carefully planned pairing still requires some luck. Our priority is to choose pairings that make sense for the whole dog, rather than pursuing colour without regard for temperament, breathing, structure, movement and genetic diversity.
This work builds on our established chocolate Pug programme and blue Pug programme, which together provide the colour foundations needed for future lilac Pug puppies.
Lilac, Lilac and Tan and Lilac Fluffy Pugs
Lilac describes the underlying combination of chocolate and blue dilution genetics, but lilac Pugs can still vary considerably in appearance. Depending on the other traits inherited, a puppy may appear solid lilac, lilac and tan, lilac fawn or with another related colour pattern such as merle. Other genes, such as intensity modifiers, can also affect the shade.
Lilac and tan Pugs inherit the genetics required for lilac together with the traits responsible for tan-point markings. These markings commonly appear above the eyes, on the cheeks, chest and lower legs, although their visibility and intensity can differ between individual dogs.
A lilac fluffy Pug must inherit the required chocolate and blue traits as well as two copies of the recessive long-haired coat gene. This makes the combination less common, because several separate inherited traits must come together in the same puppy.
Le Epitome Kennels already has chocolate, blue and fluffy genetics represented within our wider Pug programme. Future lilac fluffy puppies would require a carefully selected pairing that brings all three elements together. You can learn more about our fluffy Pug lines, our chocolate Pug programme and our blue Pug programme.
Future Lilac Pug Puppies
Le Epitome Kennels does not currently have lilac Pug puppies available, and we cannot predict exactly when our first lilac puppy will be born. Although the required chocolate and blue genetics are present within our programme, each litter depends on the dogs selected, the pairing completed and the combination of traits inherited by each puppy.
We will only plan a lilac-producing pairing when it also supports the wider goals of our Pug programme. Temperament, breathing, structure, movement, genetic diversity and suitability for family life remain more important than producing a particular colour.
When a suitable lilac pairing is planned or confirmed, it will be announced on our upcoming and available French Bulldog and Pug puppies page . Families interested in a future lilac, lilac and tan or lilac fluffy Pug can also apply to join the Le Epitome Kennels puppy waiting list .
Our waiting list is based on suitability and thoughtful puppy matching, rather than operating strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Le Epitome Kennels is based in Waikato and places approved puppies with families throughout New Zealand.