What happens if you breed merle to merle?

What happens if you breed merle to merle?

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. The pups that do not inherit the gene twice are “normal” dogs.

Why is merle breeding bad?

When two merle-patterned dogs are bred together, each puppy in the litter has a 25% chance of inheriting that gene from both parents. The resulting offspring is referred to as a double, or homozygous merle. ... Due to the decreased pigment on the skin, double merles are at a high risk for hearing and sight impairments.

Can you breed a red Merle with a Blue Merle?

PhotoHomozygous merles (MM) or Double Merle breeding, refers to the breeding of two dogs that both have the merle gene (ex: a Red Merle to a Red Merle, Blue Merle to a Blue Merle, or Red Merle to a Blue Merle). ... There can be other internal health defects as well that are associated with Homozygous Merles.

Is merle a defect?

Merle is actually a heterozygote of an incompletely dominant gene. If two such dogs are mated, on the average one quarter of the puppies will be "double merles", which is the common term for dogs homozygous for merle, and a high percentage of these double merle puppies could have eye defects and/or be deaf.

Are merle dogs unhealthy?

Yes – merle dogs can be just as healthy as dogs that have a solid color. They have the same life expectancy, they are just as strong and athletic and smart as their counterparts without the merle gene. In lines with responsible merle breedings, all offspring will be healthy and live a long life.

Do blue merle dogs have health problems?

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).

Why can't 2 Merles breed?

Why you shouldn't breed two merle dogs together Don't do it. 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.

What is the difference between a red merle and a blue merle?

A blue merle is a black dog with the merle pattern; a red merle is a liver dog with the merle pattern. ... Two dominant copies produce a “double merle” which will most likely have serious eye defects and may be deaf. Two recessive copies result in a dog that is not merle.

Do merle dogs go blind?

On the most severe end, the Merle gene anomaly can cause blindness. The front or back of your dog's eye can be impacted; though the condition can impact both parts. Merle Ocular Dysgenesis is the name used when the entire eye is impacted.

Do merle dogs live long?

Yes – merle dogs can be just as healthy as dogs that have a solid color. They have the same life expectancy, they are just as strong and athletic and smart as their counterparts without the merle gene. In lines with responsible merle breedings, all offspring will be healthy and live a long life.

What breeds of dog are Merle?

Merle is a distinguishing marking of several breeds, particularly the Australian Shepherd and Catahoula Leopard Dog , and appears in others, including the Koolie , German Coolies in Australia, the Shetland Sheepdog , various collies , the Welsh Corgi (Cardigan), the Pyrenean Shepherd , the Bergamasco Sheepdog Old English Sheepdog , American Bully, and ...

What is Merle color dogs?

Merle is a color combination in dogs’ coats. It is a solid base color (usually red/brown or black) with lighter blue/gray or reddish patches, which gives a mottled or uneven speckled effect. Although most breeds that can have merle coats also typically have white markings (such as around the neck, under the belly,...

What are merle puppies?

Merle is actually a heterozygote of an incompletely dominant gene. If two such dogs are mated, on the average one quarter of the puppies will be "double merles", which is the common term for dogs homozygous for merle, and a high percentage of these double merle puppies could have eye defects and/or be deaf.