Special care must also be taken when breeding merles to avoid health problems so merle is a colour best left to experienced dog. The primary concerns for any dog breeder must be health temperament and conformation.
The Problem With Merle Coat Patterns In Dogs
Health issues associated with the merle allele The M allele is an excellent example of pleiotropy the phenomenon where a single allele can cause distinct and seeming unrelated physical effects.
Are merle dogs healthy. It is a common misconception that a dog with a merle coat must have hearing and seeing issues. Some merle Chihuahuas are healthy with no hearing or vision problems at all but even if a breeder manages to produce a heathy merle litter doing so is never without risks. The only time the merle gene causes a concern for health is when a dog is homozygous for merle meaning double merle The only way to get a homozygeous merle dog is to breed two merles together.
The Merle gene creates mottled patches of color in a solid or piebald coat blue or odd-colored eyes and can affect skin pigment as well. As noted above the merle gene does not always produce the merle color in the dogs coat. Dogs with two copies of the merle gene homozygous merle or double merle have an even higher chance of being deaf and with vision impairments.
Double Merle Dog Health. They are attempting to pass off something that never was as purebred. While it mainly affects a dogs coat it can also result in heterochromia iridum a condition that causes the eyes to be different colors.
The merle also called dapple pattern is the. Double Merle Dogs Have a Slew of Health Issues. Merle is a pattern in a dogs coat.
These health risks are more prevalent and severe in double merles meaning dogs that have two copies of the merle gene than heterozygous dogs meaning dogs that have one copy of the gene. A homozygous or double merle is one with two copies of the merle gene and if the merle is a longer length see Advanced Merle page then this severely impairs the dogs ability to make pigment leaving large areas of the dog pigmentless white. This Merle coats are caused by genes which may also affect eye colors coats and more.
These dogs are hardy and healthy overall with an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years though some can be prone to deafness and epilepsy. They wont be doing hip and elbow X-rays or DNA testing. That said the ones that are born not healthy are usually killed or abandoned and end up dying.
Single-merle dogs are less likely to be affected by such problems and can remain perfectly healthy. Breeding two merle dogs Mm the resulting litter would have the probability of being 25 unaffected mm 50 merle Mm and 25 white MM. One study found that deafness affected 92 percent of dogs with the merle allele with 35 percent in single merles and 25 percent in the double merle dog.
Merle is a type of genetic condition that creates a unique type of pattern on a dogs coat. This gene results in various pattern styles that occur either in solid or piebald forms. If they disregard what the dog was meant to be and have fraudulent pedigrees.
Double merle puppies and dogs have large white patches along their bodies and heads more so than merle dogs. Some pits with merle coloring are perfectly fine and live healthy lives. Pigment is actually necessary for certain parts of the body to function correctly so lack of pigment can cause.
The UK Kennel Club has acknowledged the health risk associated with homozygous merle and stopped registering puppies. These dogs can also breed with other canines if done responsibly by an experienced breeder who has performed all the necessary health checks. Merle comes in different colors and patterns.
Dapple and piebald are other names for merle coloring which means they carry the recessive gene too. A blue Merle dog looks like an exotic black dog with patches of colors that have been diluted. They are suddenly turning up m.
Other studies have found similar results showing also that double merle MM dogs experience ear and eye effects at a much higher rate than single merle dogs. Double Merles and High Whites. But merle is definitely a case where too much of a good thing is well a bad thing.
Those who are adopted from shelters or taken off breeders hands are not necessarily unhealthy but do have genetic issues such as vision and hearing loss. Indeed merle is a recognised and much sought after colour in some breeds including the Australian shepherd the Shetland sheepdog various collie breeds and the Welsh Cardigan corgi. Its one of the most beautiful coat patterns in the dog world.
The color is actually a recessive gene and it is not something that you can find in all the dogs that are going to be blue. Some double merles have completely white coats with little or no merle coloring at all. Colour should only be a consideration where it is important for the breed standard.
A merle dog that came from only one merle parent will usually survive long into adulthood and experience good health.
The gene for blue merle is recessive meaning that if only one of the parent dogs carries the gene the subsequent puppies are unlikely to display the blue merle traits. However as with any dog they can be prone to specific health issues that any new owner should educate themselves about.
The Double Merle Dog And The Dangers Of Merle To Merle Breeding Pethelpful
In addition to this some merle French bulldogs might have blue eyes because of low melanin levels.
Are blue merle dogs healthy. Merle acts upon eye pigment in the iris as well so a blue eyed merle dog or merle dogs with partially blue eyes are common. Just because a dog is double-merle dont assume hes deaf. However there are health issues that may arise that are much more common with blue merles.
If their body doesnt have a high amount of this amino acid the dog has a better chance of developing blue eyes. A blue merle Border Collies healthgenetic problems. Health of the Blue Merle Border Collie.
The dachshund and the malamute are also great choices for a blue Merle. It will keep his temperament and health in check. Blue merle is misleading because it seems to say that these dogs have blue pigment dd acting on black - see Dilution page when in fact they have black.
Breeding two merle dogs Mm the resulting litter would have the probability of being 25 unaffected mm 50 merle Mm and 25 white MM. Light eyes affected by sunlight pale blue eyes Now its important to understand merle dogs carry a recessive gene along with a normal dominant gene and may not exhibit any health issues. They are able to make normal eumelanin in their coat so their patches are black.
Merle French Bulldogs Are More Expensive Than Regular French Bulldogs. A blue merle is a black dog whose colouring has been genetically diluted. In general Australian Shepherds are relatively healthy dogs.
Border Collies are also heavy shredders so be ready to brush him 2-3 times a week to prevent matting. To keep your blue merle Border collie in top shape therefore ensure that you groom him on a regular basis to keep his coat ears nails and skin healthy all the time. Health issues associated with the merle allele.
I was told this after acquiring a blue merle collie from a dog rescue centre but as far as I can tell so far he seems to be perfectly sound and healthy. All dogs that are bred and cared for properly are generally healthy but they can still be susceptible to genetic health problems. If they didnt have the merle gene they would be solid black.
Blue merles have distinguishable black grey and silver marbling with more or less pronounced copper points over the face. But some merle dogs do. For example Coloboma is an eye condition that affects the Aussies iris.
And on average these dogs live between 10 and 13 years. Pit Bulls are incredibly athletic and robust dogs. They are generally very healthy throughout their lives.
However if both parents carry the gene the chances are that some or all of their puppies will carry it too and with this comes a range of potential health problems. George Strain of Louisiana State. But if they are the product of breeding two dogs with the merle gene the puppies can be prone to hearing and vision disorders.
On the whole the Blue Merle Pit Bull is an extremely healthy dog breed. Health of Blue Merles. The greyhound is one of the fastest dog breeds in the world.
They will also be low-maintenance animals that will be perfect for those who do not know much about dogs. Health of Merle Colored Dogs The merle gene is unfortunately linked with impaired function of the auditory ophthalmologic systems and immune systems of dogs. The merle factor can be difficult to determine except by experienced breeders with knowledge and.
Bred ethically and correctly there is no huge danger specific with this kind of dog. The first health issue that is entirely preventable to watch out for is obesity. The M allele is an excellent example of pleiotropy the phenomenon where a single allele can cause distinct and seeming unrelated physical effects.
This is especially true if theyre a pure Aussie from a reputable breeder. Breed a merle with a non-merle and theres no real danger at all. On the other hand red merles have light cinnamon to dark liver marbling with copper points distributed over the face and on the legs.
However like other dogs with deep chests they are susceptible to bloat and gastric torsion twisting of the stomach especially if they eat too quickly. When two merle dogs are bred together a puppy inherits double recessive genes. But there is an increased risk of health issues when two blue merles mate.
In terms of the health of the Chihuahua breed as a whole the breeds lifespan can be quite variable with averages ranging from 10-18 years. Is it true that blue merle dogs have health problems. These are two great dogs to choose because they will be very healthy dogs that will work well in a home with other dogs.
Sometimes tricolored dogs are mistaken for merle dogs. Not only is the merle pattern gene complicated but its also associated with potential health concerns. Blue merle shelties are undeniably beautiful color specimens of the Shetland Sheepdog breed.
Blue-eyed merles have no higher incidence of deafness than brown-eyed merles. Breeding merle Chihuahuas is controversial whichever way you look at it and the health implications of merle colouration within dogs of the breed is the key point of the debate.
Double merle dogs are at a greater risk of health problems than single merles. A double merle is created when two merle dogs are bred together.
When breeding two merle dogs each puppy in the litter has a 25 chance of being a double merle.
Can you breed two merle dogs. A double merle inherits the merle gene twice. The Basenji Saluki Afghan hound Samoyed Canaan dog New Guinea singing dog dingo Chow Chow Chinese Shar Pei Akita Alaskan malamute Siberian husky and. The reason you should only breed Merles to tri colours is so that they will always have one tri gene because thats all one parent has making them either a tri or a Merle depending on what gene they receive from the other parent.
Responsible breeders wait for the bitch to be at least 18 months to breed her. Not everyone knows the risks of breeding two merles together. But heres where breeding can be tricky.
It doesnt matter what color merle or what breed they are. Male dogs can begin breeding between 6 to 12 months of age. There are some exceptions to this which are explained on the Advanced page.
A double merle inherits the merle gene twice. Merle to Merle will give puppies a 14 chance of receiving Merle genes from both parents making them a double Merle. Dogs and foxes cannot interbreed because they have vastly differing chromosome counts.
If youre looking for a genetic test for your dog youll want to look if the M allele of the PMEL gene is present. The red fox Vulpes vulpes has 34. There are several answers to this question the first being pure ignorance.
Statistically 25 of the pups from two merle parents will be Double Merles. Breeds By Kelsey Snyder 5 min read April 8 2021 4 Comments. Double merles can only be born from two merle dogs.
A double merle is created when two merle dogs are bred together. Any two merle dogs should never be breed together. If two merle dogs are bred together each puppy in the litter has a 25 chance of being born a double merle.
But as this is unlikely to happen accidental creations of. 13 Merle Dog Breeds. If youre buying a merle dog you.
As in a 2004 study that found 9 ancient breeds to be genetically divergent the study found 13 breeds that were genetically divergent from the modern breeds. Female dogs should be bred later than males at least after their first heat cycle. The resulting offspring is referred to as a double or homozygous merle.
So no you cant breed a fox and a dog and you would call the offspring impossible. This is also called the M Locus test. I have asked Amanda and double merle dog Keller to share their information with all of us so we can also educate others about this unorthodox breeding practice.
The dog Canis lupus familiaris has 70. Even if one dog isnt exactly a tri the only way for a. Double Merle Collie breeders have no problem with their dogs being blind and they have no problem pulling the wool over your eyes either.
For this reason two merle dogs should not be bred together as a general rule as this will likely result in some double merle puppies. Do you know what a double merle is or what it means. If two merle dogs are bred together each puppy in the litter has a 25 chance of being born a double merle.
Merle dapple adorable whatever your name for it theres no mistaking this eye-catching coat pattern. It doesnt matter what color merle or what breed they are. Due to the decreased pigment on the skin double merles are at a high risk for hearing and sight impairments.
The reason merle can be problematic is it can cause lack of pigment in certain vital areas - the eyes and inner ears. Never breed two merles. Many breeds with merle also have other genes at the s locus that cause white on dogs.
My exposé of Wyndlair Avalanche has gone viral and now the breeders who support this practice are closing ranks and covering their tracks. Not every double merle dog will face these issues but a significant amount of them do which makes the deliberate breeding of these dogs unethical. Theres the joyful mix of blue.
Many of our Deaf Dogs Rock Community have double merle deaf and deafblind dogs so we wanted to share this information with our community. Generally characterized by a coat full of dots and dark-colored swirls on top of a lighter base color merle is an in-demand look in the dog world. If youre worried about potentially breeding two merle dogs together there is genetic testing that you can do to verify whether or not your dog has a merle gene.
The puppy also has a 50 chance of being a merle and a 25 chance of being a solid. It doesnt matter what color merle how much merle the parents have how little or how much white trim what breed they are or even that the parents are the same breed. Ideally anyone selling a merle puppy should explain to the new owner the risks associated with breeding merle to merle especially if that person already has a merle dog of the opposite sex to the puppy.
When two merle -patterned dogs are bred together each puppy in the litter has a 25 chance of inheriting that gene from both parents. Double Merle Problem in Dogs. While being stunning you should never breed two Merle dogs together.
Double Merle pups are born when both of the parents are merle.
