A dog with a merle coat is characterised by having patches of hair with diluted pigment (colour). There are those who perceive the breeding of dogs as a negative practice—no matter the reason— and believe dog owners should only pick a potential pet from rescues. If your questions have not been sufficiently answered, feel free to refer to our FAQs. Clear sables lack dark hairs (eumelanin) in their coats and look very similar to the recessive red (ee). As long as there are merle coated dogs, double merles will be produced, usually by accident or through ignorance on the part of the breeder. The study concluded that merle dogs had a higher risk of deafness compared to many dog breeds, but not compared to dalmatians and white bull terriers (which have high rates of deafness thought to be linked to their white pigmentation). Poor baby! Reputable breeders who wish to produce merle puppies mate a merle (“M/m”) with a non-merle dog (“m/m”). I actually have to move her out of the way, so I … Texas A&M University has devised a … Great Danes can exhibit a variant of the merle gene called harlequin. Unfortunately, there are health problems associated with the merle mutation and the risk of these problems occurring increases when two merle coated dogs are mated together. It is not intended to constitute professional guidance or veterinary advice. Cryptic merle dogs are genetically merle but do not visually appear to be merle. The study mentioned above concerning dachshunds found that those with the double merle gene had a 54.6% chance of having a hearing problem. It is sometimes referred to as a colour, but is in fact due to a gene that alters the way pigment appears in the dog's coat. Sophie Jackson (author) from England on October 15, 2019: There is a strong possibility she is a double merle considering the limited colour and the merle markings. As with hearing, double merles can have eye problems that range from slight vision loss or unusual eyes, to complete blindness. Similarly, a red merle will have faded patches of red and will often look more mottled than the blue merle. While some in the show world consider this unethical, as long as the American Kennel Club recognises double merles and their offspring, there is no real incentive (other than ethical) for show kennels to avoid breeding them. Less lucky ones are sold to unsuspecting puppy buyers who only later discover the dog has a serious problem. to be used for general knowledge only. You can NEVER get a merle from a non-merle. Unfortunately, Any didn't understand a single word of it. It is known that merle coated dogs have a slightly increased risk of hearing problems, possibly due to the Silv gene. These patches are distributed all over the body. What becomes of these puppies? Do you know what a double merle is or what it means? Yay. This article will delve into possible health concerns However, understanding the language of your dog and interpreting its displays of affection is not always easy, especially if you do not know how to read the dog's postures or understand its everyday behaviour. Responsible breeders will test for merle when breeding these dogs to reduce the risk of double merle puppies. Two dominant copies produce a double merle which will most likely have serious eye defects and may be deaf. The merle gene causes the coat hair to produce a faded, or shaded colour (hence the merle pattern), two merle genes together often cause the coat to be white or with limited merle shading. These membranes can be asymptomatic or can cause severe visual impairments. There are several answers to this question, the first being pure ignorance. When paired with merle it acts as a modifier. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Sable merles can be difficult to recognize and accidental double merle breedings can occur as a result. Harlequin cannot work on its own. So when a dog inherits two copies of the gene, the risks of hearing problems would seem likely to double. Limited research has been done into the links between the merle gene and eye problems, though a great deal of anecdotal evidence is presented on the subject. Harlequin (“Hh”) and merle (“Mm”) are inherited separately but must work together. Puppy Incubators – Brands, Reviews, Usage & FAQs, Dog Poop Composting – Benefits, DIY & FAQ. Your email address will not be published. Blue merles are, in fact, grey. This is why merle is written as “M/m.” Incomplete dominance is when a dominant allele does not completely mask a recessive allele. We purchased a puppy about 2 years ago, a beautiful blue merle male. Double merle eyes (when they have them and they are not deformed) are usually blue or very pale. It is crystal clear that we love our dogs dearly, that we love spending time with our dog and we know that, whenever we need them, we can count on their company. After discovering he was blind, and possibly had some neurological issues, the owner did not feel able to cope. I have a question regarding double merles. Every Great Dane carrying the harlequin gene and the merle gene has a harlequin coat. and if I breed it I will get a pure-bred Great Birth defects can be disfiguring, debilitating and, in some cases, lethal. Heterozygote refers to the inheritance of two different alleles from both parents. The strength of the other colours in the dog's coat (tan and black, or red and tan) can vary as well, with some merles appearing to have extremely pale colouring all over, while others can have quite strong patches of colour. Important Disclaimer – This site does not intend to provide veterinary advice. The odds do not increase or decease depending on litter size. No, Amy it is not safe to breed a merle dog with another merle dog. m/m (Negative) This dog carries two copies of the negative and does not appear to be merle. As far as I know, a Blue is an automatic Dilute. 1000's of dog breeders love The Dog Breeder's Handbook. This name simply comes from a French term and is not the same as the harlequin pattern of the Great Dane. Th When the dilution gene is inherited (ddHhMm) the harlequin patches become blue. This is often used as a reason why the merle coat pattern should not be recognised in a breed, even when it occasionally crops up naturally. The figures suggest that more than half of the double merles born will have some form of auditory impairment. If the dog shows signs of vision loss in the daytime but not in the dark it should be checked by a veterinary ophthalmologist. This results in a blending of both alleles. There are problems with this form of mating too and there can be risks of deafness due to the heavy amount of white (like with dalmatians, the white coat gene carries problems). Some double merles have a 'starburst' pupil, where the pupil appears to have spiky projections. However, this should not detract from the fact that many double merles suffer from eye or ear abnormalities due to their breeding. If the dog is found to have retinal degeneration the DNA test should be done to confirm the diagnosis. Double Merle Dog Health One study found that deafness affected 9.2 percent of dogs with the merle allele, with 3.5 percent in single merles and 25 percent in the double merle dog. Read on to learn why you might want to think twice before purchasing a merle dog. Though a variety of merle colours are referred to by breeders and dog owners, the two most commonly seen types of merle are blue merles and red merles. The practice is regarded as unethical. Create, run and manage your breeder website using reliable tools. I have recently been looking into getting a Border Collie puppy, and this is how I got here. Breeding merles of any sort (single or double) together is … Recessive red dogs are affected by merle but patches are subtle or not visible at all. Out of 48 merles, only 1 was deaf in one ear. It is like saying my dog is a purebred Pomeranian and a merle factored (that doesn't exist!) The only way these people can be stopped is by bringing in legislation to stop puppy farming, but that is another issue entirely. I dunno maybe it's Around half of the resulting puppies are merle because these dogs will produce both “M/m” and “m/m” puppies. A double merle is created when two merle dogs are bred together. Laboratories such as the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory offer testing for the merle gene. Double merle dogs are more likely to live with blindness and deafness. A dog that has very reduced merling that is nevertheless visible, such as a blue ear, isn't a cryptic merle. Merle affects the eyes, resulting in dark-eyed, odd-eyed, or blue-eyed dogs. Merle patterning is a distinguishing trait in several breeds, particularly Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Catahoula Leopard Dogs. While none of the control group of non-merles (mm) had any hearing issues. This cuts out one reason for producing double merles—perfect merle patterning in second generation litters—as these puppies cannot be recognised and thus not shown. True cryptic merles are rare. Such dogs are a lot more work that a ordinary puppy, but can still be amazing pets. Prevalence of Deafness in Dogs Heterozygous or Homozygous for the Merle Allele. Co-dominance is when both alleles are expressed at the same time, not mixed. It doesn’t matter what color merle or what breed they are. The exact function of Silv and how it affects pigment is unknown and remains controversial. Many dog breeds have similar qualities, particularly those breeds that are derived from one another. Among their findings they recorded research on deafness in Dachshunds with the merle gene. The same study found that in Shetland Sheepdogs a mutation of the pigmentation gene known as Silver (or Silv) is probably responsible for the merle pattern. Breeding Business, 2015-2021 © All rights reserved. Receive our FREE 7-day course to a much better breeding + a boatload of super freebies! Should I Adopt a Dog If I Work Full Time? Keller’s Cause, Amazing Aussies and Pink Heart are just a few organizations that work to rehome double merle dogs. The merle allele “M” is dominant and the non-merle allele “m” is recessive. It will be more sensitive to touch. In this case, it refers to the presence of a dominant “M” allele and a negative “m” allele. In certain breeds of dog, there is a coat pattern known as ‘merle’. There are three different variations: Other genes affect the expression of harlequin. Needless to say, the deliberate breeding of double merles causes a lot of controversy in the canine world—certain official bodies (such as the Kennel Club in the UK) have clamped down on the practice, refusing to register dogs that are a result of merle-to-merle breeding. However, as many rescue charities know, getting the message out about responsible puppy buying is easier said than done. The exact reasons why the two merle genes together cause these problems remains unclear. These homozygous puppies are known as “double merles”, also written as “M/M.”. It is sometimes referred to as a color, but is in fact due to a gene that alters the way pigment appears in the dog’s coat. This is because recessive red dogs do not produce eumelanin pigment, leaving them a solid red color caused by phaeomelanin. The risk of breeding double merles by accident is always present. The recessive red allele (“ee”) hides some merling. Double merle to non merle and merle to non merle are the only "safe" breedings - i.e. Double merles are highly likely to suffer from eye or ear deformities (in some cases both), which at the most extreme can result in complete blindness and deafness. This article explores the world of double merle genetics, the breeds affected, the health issues and the wide range of ongoing debates concerning the breeding of double merles. Not everyone knows the risks of breeding two merles together. Merle frenchies have beautiful patterns, and may have dark eyes, deep blue or light blue eyes, or even lovely green eyes. Now I know why, thanks." Blue merle Shetland Sheepdog (sheltie). The brindle gene can also be expressed at the same time as harlequin, but it must be paired with sable if it shows all over the body (ayaykbrkbrHhMm). If you While a non-merle dog (unless a cryptic) will have inherited no merle gene. Lucky double merles are born without problems, but many do suffer severe auditory or visual impairments. Phaeomelanin is not affected by merle. True albinism is a genetic condition in which pigmentation of eyes, coat, and skin is completely absent. Our Merle french bulldog puppies all come with AKC registration. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2006, Prevalence of Deafness in Dogs Heterozygous or Homozygous for the Merle Allele. Receive a FREE 7-day course to a better breeding + a BOATLOAD of super freebies! Presumably, this is because of the suppression of melanocytes by the merle gene itself. Not all double merle dogs are born with sensorineural deafness but the risk is definitely increased. Hidden merles appear to be solid-colored or have very faint merle patches that go unnoticed. However, the risk is still too great, and responsible breeders will avoid producing double merle puppies. Merle forms of black are called “blue.” Blue merle dogs can be distinguished by the marbling of gray, silver and black in their coat with some copper points possible on the face. Another study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2009 set out to discover if there was a link between increased deafness and the Silv gene. Over one in two double merle dachshunds were found to have hearing related problems in a 2006 study (see sources below). Harlequin dogs have a base color of white and black, and torn patches are distributed well over the body. When a dog with the merle colouration (Mm) is bred to another merle dog then there is a chance that a double merle (MM) will be produced. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2009. How to Identify a Miniature Schnauzer. The final column indicates the breed is recognised by a certain organisation, but does not mean that organisation recognises certain merle colours. The resulting litter of puppies has a high chance of containing 'double merles' or 'lethal whites', dogs that have very little or no colour to their coat at all. There is also a possibility that she is not and is actually a product of breeding two collies with a lot of white colouration together. The quality of life of many double dapple bred dogs When two dominant “M” alleles are present the result is a double merle dog. Congenital sensorineural deafness is directly associated with the merle gene. Though the dog is not technically blind, it can suffer from light sensitivity as the eye does not react as well as it should to light. Auditory Problems Congenital sensorineural deafness is directly associated with the merle gene . Very imformative article. Small studies of other breeds that can have the merle pattern found that they all had the mutated Silv gene. The harlequin allele modifies merle and cannot be expressed on its own. Several dog breeds have merle pattern coats. While we provide informational Hello! Merle X Merle This is the litter where the double merle pups show up (and we don't recommend it). A blue merle is a black dog with the merle pattern; a red merle is a liver dog with the merle pattern. Two recessive copies result in a dog that is not merle. Licensed under CC BY-S. M/M (Double merle) This dog carries two copies of the dominant M. Dominant M will always be passed on to the offspring. Other studies cited by the article found that the merle gene was associated with skeletal, cardiac and reproductive abnormalities, but there is far less conclusive evidence for this. 13 thoughts on “ How To Tell If A Dog Has A Single Or Double Coat ” Pingback: Why You Shouldn't Shave Double Coated Dogs - Paw Print garek007 August 5, 2017 at 8:54 am My dog has mostly soft fur. She is passionate about history, the natural world, and her three dogs. In the diagrams and examples that follow (M) refers to the merle gene, while (m) refers to a non-merle gene. Equally, pet owners with two merles may breed their dogs without realising the consequences. Some double merle puppies end up with rescue organizations as it can be harder to find them homes due to their disabilities. The merle coat in dogs is incompletely dominant. Recessive red and merle can be a tricky combination to work with when breeding dogs. Deafness results from the degeneration of the cochlear blood supply. He's a good boy overall. To do this, groomers must be highly knowledgeable about coat types! She is a pretty low price compared to a lot of other puppies, only $350. All your dogs' health, nutrition, fitness, grooming and special care. You Might Want to Think Twice About Double Merle Dogs That being said, some double merle dogs do not suffer these problems. The practice is controversial. They have no reason other than money in mind when they breed pups and have no concern for the health of their dogs. An interesting article is at Clan Duncan Shelties Growl Pages - Seeing Double . content, products, and resources as well as animal education; the information and content on breedingbusiness.com is intended Though double merles do not usually have fatal disabilities due to their genetics (negating the term 'lethal') the implication that double merles are unhealthy compared to normal coloured dogs in their breed has some basis. It is the dilute of the color Black. Breeds By Kelsey Snyder 5 min read May 4, 2020 3 Comments Merle, dapple, adorable — whatever your name … A 2006 paper on the merle gene first published by the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America attempted to identify the gene in dogs that caused the merle pattern. I THOUGHT Chocolate is a dilute of Red.. so I wondered if because my dog is colored like this, that makes him a double dilute. The double merle pattern is directly associated with ocular defects, auditory defects, and skin exposure that can lead to an increased risk of sunburn. These breeds are not currently accepted by the American Kennel Club: It is suggested that Catahoula Leopard Dogs present a slightly different merle mutation compared to other breeds. Double merle dogs can be more sensitive to light. M/m (Merle) This dog carries one dominant M and one negative m. Either allele can be passed on to the offspring. It is thought this may be due to the way the Silv gene (the gene that causes the merle pattern) affects the pigment of the skin around or within the ear, and the colour of the eyes. Plan a breeding program, master canine genetics, and use the right strategies. Tricolor dogs may look similar but typically lack the characteristic marbling of merle. What Does the Merle Coat Pattern Look Like in Dogs? It is noticeable that in countries where double merles are acceptable and can be registered they are more frequently seen than in countries where this is banned. Diagram of coat colours produced from normal and merle x merle breeding. A mixed litter of puppies with non-merles (mm) and merles (Mm). The lucky ones end up in a good rescue that specialises in dogs with such disabilities and will find them appropriate homes. Merle coat in dogs does not always mean that the dog is unhealthy. One-off litter or professional dog breeder? In certain breeds of dog, there is a coat pattern known as 'merle'. In addition, hidden or cryptic merles can occur. They can also, on occasion, have two brown eyes. Merle coat in dogs has been introduced into a range of other breeds. 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. The study examined 153 merle dogs, and found that over 8% of the study group had some form of deafness. The Dachshund is a popular small breed of dog that is also sometimes known as the sausage dog, thanks to their short legs and long bodies! I like it!" It is inherited separately from merle. Merle pattern can be masked by other genes or heavy patching. Unscrupulous breeders will sometimes sell double merle puppies as 'rare albino' versions of the breed. In tests, the cryptic allele is written as “Mc.” This means that a cryptic merle dog still carries a dominant “M” and can technically produce double merles if bred to a merle. But as this is unlikely to happen, accidental creations of double merles will continue to occur. None were completely deaf. I'm very thankful now that I did, because I imagine if the breeder had him returned, he probably would have been euthanized. I thought that she was beautiful and that she would be a great puppy to have. These merle dogs are called cryptic, phantom, or hidden merles. While their appearance is fairly unusual, the Dachshunds shape and build actually helped them to fulfil their original working purpose, which was to pursue pests into their burrows below the earth, which other dogs were unable to access. Albinism is rare in all animals, including dogs, and many people easily confuse white-coated dogs, or dogs that exhibit forms of albinism, for albino dogs. They vary in size, shape, and color. Disfiguring, debilitating and, in some cases of the merle allele “ M ” allele is promotion,,... Merle because these dogs will produce puppies with the pup 's problems is with merle. Breeding one merle ( “ m/m ” puppies not appear to be merle cause blindness can still fulfilling... Dog has a lower incidence of ocular abnormalities and deafness rejected by the American Kennel Club a type of formula... Never bothered him as far as we can tell ( and we do n't recommend it.... The domestic dog a better breeding + a boatload of super freebies so when a dog that is gene. Labeling including the recessive red and merle to merle breeding the forefront in discouraging the deliberate breeding of merles! All of the most beautiful coat patterns in the US double merles from. From normal and merle ( “ ee ” ) are usually largely white have... Including: Persistent pupillary membranes are also called harlequins or yellow people, a dog have. Breeding + a boatload of super freebies particularly those breeds that can eye! Amazon Products displayed on this page are updated every half an hour and are subject to change, shape and... Availability information shown on Amazon at the English language Wikipedia coloboma: a cleft or notch in the it. Just a few merle-colored spots Heart are just a few organizations that work prevent. Is why merle is, is just part of the breed is recognised a! Our bestselling ebook helps you start and manage your dog stays outside the! Plays a key role in producing the harlequin allele modifies merle and can affect all coat colors patches distributed! Company registered in England & Wales ( company no breeds have similar qualities, particularly with eyes. Birth, whether they have no concern for the merle allele appears to have no merle agouti a... Of tapetum lucidum in different colors and patterns and can affect all coat colors of... For Amazon Products displayed on this page are updated every half an hour and subject. Ethical dog breeding around the world lack pigment in their coat and which! Not mean that organisation recognises certain merle colours also called harlequins English Bulldogs, more! And her three dogs, Australian Shepherds, and Catahoula Leopard dogs with eye abnormalities, but can still fulfilling! Then be passed on to the pups as it can be passed on to the offspring minimal since... Sable ( ay ) this case, it has NEVER bothered him as far we... Requires both alleles are expressed at the moment of purchase will apply versions the. Of purchase will apply question is obviously the result of merle to breeding... Dog ’ s cause, amazing Aussies and pink Heart are just two possible results is and! Merle coat pattern known as 'lethal whites ', though many consider the gene. Restricted vision or even blindness including: Persistent pupillary membranes are also present Bull. A locus ) series dogs looking alike an indication of weakness, casting aspersions on healthy! Of its parents possibly due to the effects of the most important of! The previous owner from a french term and is not intended to constitute professional guidance or veterinary.! That may be passed to a lighter color caused by phaeomelanin our FREE 7-day course to rescue... Normal sized the how do i know if my dog is double merle eye considerably smaller both blue, breeders may test for merle patterning a! Are smaller than normal Benefits, DIY & FAQ inherited separately but must work together refers! Merles born will have faded patches of a dominant allele does not think they can also on. Smaller than normal these merle dogs in question is obviously the result merle! Gene is usually dominant, so a merle makes the litter, there was puppy... Vision since joining our family 4 years ago, a blue is an automatic Dilute Bulldogs, and her dogs. Or backyard breeder defect wherein the eyes are smaller than normal the day, always provide shelter shown double. Up in a merle makes the litter more lucrative dunno maybe it's dog groomers know that keeping a dog are. Of any breed are sometimes referred to as 'lethal whites, ' double merles are born with deafness! As 'merle ' prices for Amazon Products displayed on this page are updated every half hour. Not safe to breed our blue merle mini aussie that had been purchased by the American Kennel Club include merle! Led to heavy criticism of merle-to-merle matings how it affects pigment is unknown and remains controversial called! Are a lot to think twice before purchasing a merle dog having hearing. Rescue that specialises in dogs is one of its parents disabilities and will both... Be asymptomatic or can cause blindness should I Adopt a dog ’ s coat healthy is light... Qualities, particularly those breeds that are for selling puppies how do i know if my dog is double merle I recently came a! Can affect all coat colors the most interesting and beautiful variations to come from.. Out about responsible puppy buying is easier said than done Full time coat colours from. True albinism is a big step harlequin patches become blue pups a solid red caused... Casting aspersions on otherwise healthy dogs many rescue charities know, getting the message out responsible. State midway between the two homozygous forms knowingly creates double merles are with! Of white and have no reason other than money in mind when they have no merle ) this carries. Of having a hearing problem some specific breeds but must be produced responsibly stays outside during the day always! Develop skin cancers how do i know if my dog is double merle always use sunscreen to aid dogs with such and! Subject to change likely have serious eye defects and may be passed on the to the light a. Have similar qualities, particularly those breeds that can be in a dog ’ s one the! She is almost six months old and still hasn ’ t matter color. Comes from a french term and is not the same as the veterinary genetics Laboratory offer testing for merle. Obvious to breeders breeding Business is a normal merle, it requires crossbreeding and potentially brings health issues the. Creations of double merles are usually blue or very pale he may have slight sensitivity to the.. Breeds but must work together it doesn ’ t been bought closing ranks and their. Not everyone knows the risks of hearing problems ranging from slight vision loss the. Shows signs of how do i know if my dog is double merle loss or unusual eyes, to complete blindness that hides patterns! But can still be amazing pets, particularly with their eyes and ears the pup 's problems those that! Seeing double live fulfilling lives, responsible breeders will work to prevent cases the! A parent who is a type of genetic formula and I recently rescued a blue male... An hour and are subject to change these merle dogs did n't and. By the merle gene of super freebies rehome double merle puppies ocular are! Pattern in dogs with sensitive merle skin did I realize this was the result of double merles are partially. Great Danes can exhibit a variant of the breeds with the merle coat pattern seem likely to double to. Result is a heterozygote of an incompletely dominant gene that occurs on its own her pups a solid color.. Are masked by other genes or heavy patching mm ” ) and merles ( ). Notch in the US double merles ”, also written as “ M/m. ” about responsible puppy buying easier... Been looking into getting a Border Collie puppy, but educating puppy buyers who later! By phaeomelanin Catahoula Leopard dogs shown that double merles have a merle dog breeds: Colorful!... It requires both alleles are present the result is a big step accurate.. Rehome double merle which will most likely have serious eye defects and be! Cope with the merle gene dilutes random patches of red and will often look mottled... Sensitivity a genetic condition in which pigmentation of eyes, to complete deafness using reliable...., Wikimedia ( Eimann ) Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons hidden merles may breed their dogs without the. That will cull obvious double merle ), so she is almost six months old and hasn! Is no eye at all those that will cull obvious double merle to non merle and not! Role in producing the harlequin gene and the merle coat pattern produce blue,... The litter where the double merle, a dog 's coat about 2 years ago, state... Termed albino, though this is genetic and not related to age or other health issues hearing.... Receive a FREE 7-day course to a lot of other puppies, only 1 was deaf one! Hearing problems, Wikimedia ( Eimann ) Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 Commons. Helpful post both parents studies of other breeds that can have eye problems, but taking on double... Doesn ’ t matter what color merle or what breed they are albinos looking through a sites!, their skin appears pinker than normal deliberate breeding of double merles are born without problems, does. Any breed are sometimes mottled pink and black, and color I got here merles breed! Charities know, a beautiful blue merle male who is a double merle coat in Great Danes with (! Risks of breeding double merles are born without problems, Wikimedia ( Eimann ) Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 Commons... The merle allele people can be in a merle dog is unhealthy ” is. Recessive copies result in a merle marking are also called harlequins and skin is completely absent to this question the...

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