The merle gene is known to cause a number of health problems, mostly deafness and blindness, and also sun sensitivity and higher rates of skin cancer. These problems are unusual in heterozygous merles (Mm) but more common in homozygous merles (MM).
Similarly, Is merle a defect in dogs?
An autosomal, incompletely dominant trait, merle coat coloring predisposes dogs to inherited deafness. When inherited in the homozygous state, the merle mutation causes dogs to be white and have an even greater incidence of deafness, blindness and sterility.
Additionally, Why is merle breeding bad? It doesn’t matter what color merle or what breed they are. If two merle dogs are bred together, each puppy in the litter has a 25% chance of being born a double merle. … Double merles also have a very high chance of being deaf, blind, or both because they lack pigment where it would normally be.
Is merle a genetic defect?
Merle is a genetic pattern that can be in a dog’s coat. Merle comes in different colors and patterns and can affect all coat colors. 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.
Why are merle dogs more expensive?
Why are merle dogs so expensive? In a nutshell, merle dogs are expensive because puppy buyers are willing to pay a lot of money for them. The pattern is very sought-after, and the more demand there is, the higher breeders can set their prices. In addition, merle breedings can be quite rare in some breeds.
What happens if you breed two merles?
Double Merle dogs are highly likely to suffer from hearing and vision impairments and in some cases complete blindness and deafness. Deafness and hearing impairment happens due to lack of hair pigment produced in the inner ear. Double Merles can also be blind or have vision problems due to congenital eye defects.
What happens if you breed 2 merle Aussies?
Many people are unaware, but when two merles (of any breed) are bred together, each puppy has a 25% chance of being born as a double merle. These puppies have excessive white coloration – lack of pigment – and this coloration causes loss of hearing, vision, or any combination of the two impairments.
Can you breed a merle carrier to a merle?
If two carriers (M/m) are bred with one another, there is a 25% chance per puppy born that they will be homozygous (M/M) for the merle trait. These are also known as “double merles.” A high percentage of double merle puppies have vision or hearing deficiencies.
What makes a dog a merle?
Merle is a pattern in a dog’s coat, though is commonly incorrectly referred to as a colour. 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.
How do dogs become merle?
The merle pattern is produced when a dog has a single copy of the M< allele. All merle dogs have the genotype Mm — meaning they have one allele for merle and one allele for non-merle. All non-merles are mm.
Can the merle gene be carried?
M/M dogs will always pass on a copy of Merle to their offspring. Dog has one copy of the “M” Merle allele and one negative “m” copy of Merle allele. The dog can pass either allele on to any offspring. Dog has two copies of the recessive “m” allele and is negative for Merle.
How much is a merle Pitbull worth?
For those who are eyeing to get a merle Pitbull, make sure that you choose a reputable and honest breeder. On average, top of the line merle Pitbulls can cost from $15,000 to $30,000. They cost double and even triple the usual price of non-merle Pitbulls. Usually, kennels sell their puppies by picks.
What’s the difference between Dapple and merle?
Merle — that kaleidoscope of swirly patterns that has no two dogs looking alike. It’s one of the most beautiful coat patterns in the dog world. … The merle (also called dapple) pattern is the pattern in which random splotches of dark pigment are overlaid over a lighter shade of the same color.
How much does a Blue Merle cost?
The average pricing of a standard-colored Australian Shepherd from a trustworthy breeder is between $750 to $1,000. If it’s a blue merle Aussie puppy, the estimated cost is around $1,500 to $2,500.
Where do merle dogs come from?
Merle is a coat pattern found in Australian Shepherds, Collies, Shelties, and a number of other dog breeds. This particular phenotype is inherited as an autosomal, incompletely dominant trait. The merle gene creates mottled patches of color in a solid or piebald coat, blue or odd-colored eyes, and affects skin pigment.
What does merle mean in dogs?
1 : a coat color pattern of some dogs (such as the border collie, dachshund, and Great Dane) that consists of a typically bluish- or reddish-gray mixed with splotches of black or reddish- brown and that occurs as a result of the lightening or dilution of the normal base coat color so that only dark patches of normal …
Can you breed 2 merle French bulldogs?
Merle French bulldogs can be extremely healthy if responsibly bred. A very important factor of responsible breeding is making sure the pairing is done correctly. … If two Merle French Bulldogs are paired together, 25% of the puppies have a chance of being double merles, also known as homozygous merles.
Can you breed two merle border collies?
They can be of any breed or cross, and any colour Merle pattern.
How do I know if my dog is a double merle?
Dogs with the double merle gene may be/have:
- All white in color, or have patches of merle/mottled coloring on the top half of their body – their head, back, and base of the tail.
- Light-colored paw pads.
- Have light blue, green or brown eyes, perhaps even eyes that are different colors.
Is Double merle lethal?
The double merle gene can create gorgeous dogs, but it can also cause serious birth defects. Learn more about this “lethal white” gene. … Light-colored coats with the merle gene may have patches or tints of pink, orange or white; their eyes can be affected similarly or appear blue.
Can 2 Tri Aussies have a merle?
A merle Australian Shepherd, whether red merle or blue merle, has one merle gene & one tri gene or merle/tri, & WILL offer one gene to each puppy. … When breeding two tri’s together the result is all tri’s because both parents are tri/tri on the gene scale & only have tri genes to offer making all of the puppies tri’s.
How do you get a merle puppy?
The merle pattern is produced when a dog has a single copy of the M< allele. All merle dogs have the genotype Mm — meaning they have one allele for merle and one allele for non-merle. All non-merles are mm.
What breeds carry the merle Gene?
The Merle pattern can be seen in various breeds, such as the Australian Shepherd Dog, Australian Koolie, Border Collie, Dachshund, French Bulldog, Louisiana Catahoula, Labradoodle, Miniature American Shepherd, Miniature Australian Shepherd, Pyrenean Shepherd, Rough Collie, Shetland Sheepdog, Welsh Sheepdog, Cardigan …
What is a ghost merle?
Dogs with cryptic merle (also called phantom or ghost merle) typically display little to no merle pattern and some may be misclassified as non-merles. The cryptic merle alleles occur in the lower end of the range (typically from 200-255, however, this range and designation varies by study).