Merle Boston Terrier: Facts, History, and Care

The Merle Boston Terrier is a unique and captivating breed. They have a distinctive coat pattern featuring a mix of black, blue, and tan colors.

Merle Boston Terriers are not a traditional or purebred Boston Terrier color, but rather a rare genetic variation. Their merle pattern is the result of a specific genetic combination that affects the production of melanin.

These dogs are often considered a novelty due to their striking appearance, but it's essential to remember that they are still Boston Terriers at heart. They inherit the breed's friendly, outgoing personality and loving nature.

The Merle Boston Terrier's unusual coat pattern can make them more prone to health issues, particularly deafness and vision problems.

Merle Boston Terriers are a rare color variation of the breed, resulting from a genetic dilution of the black pigment.

They have a unique appearance, with a mix of black and tan markings on their coat.

Merle Boston Terriers can be born with a range of colors, including blue merle, red merle, and black merle.

A different take: Black White Boston Terrier

The Merle Boston Terrier is a rare and unique breed that results from a genetic combination of the Boston Terrier's original colors.

Merle Boston Terriers have a distinctive coat pattern that features patches of color on a base coat of another color, typically blue or fawn.

Their eyes are usually blue or partially blue, which is a characteristic of the merle gene.

Merle Boston Terriers can be born with a range of coat colors, including blue merle, black merle, and red merle.

Their unique appearance is due to the interaction of multiple genes that affect the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for their coat color.

Take a look at this: Akc Boston Terrier Colors

The Merle coat color is determined by a dominant gene, meaning that only one copy is necessary to display some variation of the merle coat color/pattern.

Merle is inherited in a dominant fashion, which is why it can be expressed even with just one copy of the M allele.

Worth a look: Blue Merle Bull Terrier

The M allele impacts canine coat color by altering the expression of the PMEL gene, primarily located in eumelanosomes that produce and store eumelanin (black pigment).

The patchiness of the merle coat color is thought to be due to the unstable nature of the M variant, resulting in patches of skin cells with different sizes of M alleles.

Two copies of the M allele large enough to produce the merle coat color can result in significant white areas of the coat, eye abnormalities, and deafness.

A normal result from the Merle Locus (Merle) coat color test does not exclude the possibility of a different mutation in this gene or any other gene that may result in a similar genetic disease or trait.

The size of the M allele(s) present in a dog has been associated with different merle coat colors/patterns.

Merle Boston Terriers are specifically known for their affectionate nature, making them the perfect pets.

They are now classified as "non-sporting" dogs, a change from their original classification as Terriers.

Their affectionate nature also makes them excellent therapy companions, helping their owners overcome depression and feel more lively with their energetic nature.

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Judge, a high-status dog with a muscular build, weighed about 32 pounds. He was a key figure in the early history of the Boston Terrier breed.

Judge's owner sold him to William O'Brien, who brought him to Boston, America. O'Brien then sold Judge to Robert C. Hooper in 1870.

Judge became known as "Hooper's Judge" due to his new owner. He was the first Boston Terrier and the ancestor of all true Boston Terriers.

Judge was bred to Burnett's Gyp, a little white female dog owned by Edward Burnett. The dogs gave birth to Well's Eph.

Judge's parents were not Merle dogs, but he did pass on his traits to future generations. The Merle trait originates from the Silv gene.

Worth a look: Similar to Boston Terrier

The Merle Boston Terrier gained popularity due to their affectionate nature, making them perfect pets. They are known for being gentle and loving companions.

Merle Boston Terriers are specifically classified as "non-sporting" dogs, a change from their original classification as Terriers.

Their affectionate nature makes them ideal therapy companions, helping their owners overcome depression and feel more lively with their energetic nature.

The Boston Terrier Club of America is the parent club for the breed, and they establish the guidelines for breeders to follow. They are the sole stewards of the official breed description, which is used as a blueprint for breeders and judges.

The American Kennel Club is the final arbiter of dog breeds and their standards, and the parent club submits the standards to them for approval. Breeders must conform to these guidelines to ensure their puppies meet the breed standard.

The Merle gene is a genetic mutation that affects the coat color and pattern of dogs, creating a marbled or speckled effect in different shades of gray, brown, and blue. It's not a recognized color in Boston Terriers, but it's common in other breeds like the Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Boston Terrier Breeders in Ohio

The Boston Terrier Club of America has a say in qualified colors. They are the parent club for the breed and establish the guidelines that breeders are supposed to follow.

The club will be the sole steward of the official breed description. This description is used as a blueprint by breeders and judges.

The parent club is responsible for submitting the breed standards to the American Kennel Club. The AKC is the final arbiter of dog breeds and its standards.

The Merle gene is a genetic mutation that affects the coat color and pattern of dogs, creating a marbled or speckled effect that can appear in different shades of gray, brown, and blue.

This gene is not a recognized color in Boston Terriers, but it is common in breeds like the Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie.

The Merle gene can increase the risk of health problems in some dogs, including deafness, blindness, and other eye and ear issues.

Because of these health concerns, kennel clubs like the AKC do not recognize Merle Boston Terriers as standard and discourage breeders from intentionally breeding for this color pattern.

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Photos of Boston Terrier puppies can be deceiving, with some breeders mislabeling dilute colors as seals or lavenders. The first puppy listed as a seal is actually a dilute colored Boston Terrier puppy, also known as a lilac or Isabella.

The term "Lavender" is a new color "name" that someone got creative with, but it doesn't change the fact that it's a non-standard color.

Some breeders may list a puppy as a lilac, but this color is not recognized by the parent club.

A merle puppy is also a non-standard color and cannot participate in AKC sanctioned dog shows.

Responsible breeders test their dogs for health issues and disclose any problems in the bloodline, whereas breeders of non-standard colors may not be transparent about the health risks.

Here are some characteristics of responsible breeders:

DNA testing only goes back three generations, so it may not detect other breeds that were cross-bred into the bloodline to achieve a non-standard color.

Taking good care of your Merle Boston Terrier's coat is a weekly task. Brush them weekly with a soft brush, grooming mitt, or a hound glove to remove excess hair.

Their coat sheds a little, but regular brushing encourages hair growth and balances skin oils. This keeps their coat healthy and shiny.

Occasional bathing is all they need, unless they get really dirty in the mud. Trimming their nails regularly is also a must, as long nails can cause walking difficulties.

A different take: Balding Boston Terrier

Dogs with the Merle gene can be more susceptible to deafness, blindness, and eye abnormalities.

It's crucial to be aware of these potential health risks if you're considering getting a Boston Terrier with a Merle coat pattern.

Two Merle dogs should not be bred together, as this can increase the risk of health problems in their offspring.

Merle Boston Terriers are brachycephalic, meaning they have a broad nose, small jaw, and short coats.

This can make them less tolerant of freezing cold temperatures and more vulnerable to overheating in hot weather.

Grooming your Merle Boston Terrier is a crucial part of their overall care. They require weekly brushing with a soft brush, grooming mitt, or a hound glove to remove excess hair from their body.

Brushing also encourages hair growth and balances the skin oils throughout their coat. This regular grooming will help prevent matting and tangling.

Their coat sheds a little, so be prepared to brush them regularly. Regular grooming sessions will also help you bond with your dog.

Occasional bathing is necessary, but only when they get really dirty in the mud. You should also trim their nails regularly, as long nails can cause difficulties with walking.

Trimming their nails will help prevent any potential issues with their mobility and overall comfort.

Additional reading: Boston Terrier Grooming

Exercise is essential for Boston Terriers to stay happy and healthy. Some Merle Boston Terriers are good with brisk walking once a day, while others need more playtime to stay energetic.

Prolonged alone time can make Boston Terriers frustrated or stubborn, so it's crucial to spend quality time with your pet.

You can help your dog practice obedience exercises and make them participate in canine sports like flyball, agility, and obedience to keep them active and engaged.

Merle Boston Terriers are happy eaters and can thrive on high-quality dog food, whether it's homemade or commercially made.

It's essential to consult with a vet before introducing any new food to your dog's diet, as they can recommend the ideal diet plan for your pet's age.

Merle Boston Terriers can become overweight, so monitoring your pet's daily calorie consumption and weight is crucial.

Avoid giving too many sweets to your terrier, as it can lead to obesity.

Staying in touch with your vet will help you determine the best diet plan for your Merle Boston Terrier.

Additional reading: Boston Terrier Show Dogs

The M Locus (Merle) coat color test is a reliable way to determine if a dog carries the M (merle insertion variant) Allele of the PMEL gene.

This test can also estimate the size of the M allele(s) present in a dog, with an accuracy of about 1 base pair.

Merle is inherited in a dominant fashion, meaning that only one copy of an M allele is needed for a dog to display some variation of the merle coat color/pattern.

The M allele impacts canine coat color by altering the expression of the PMEL gene, which primarily affects eumelanin (black pigment) areas.

The patchiness of the merle coat color is thought to be due to the unstable nature of the M variant, resulting in patches of skin cells with different sizes of M alleles.

Two copies of the M allele large enough to produce the merle coat color can cause significant health issues, including deafness and eye abnormalities.

A normal result from this test does not rule out other genetic diseases or traits in dogs.