Red Merle vs Blue Merle: Understanding the Genetics

The genetics behind the red merle and blue merle patterns in dogs is fascinating. The difference between the two lies in the interaction of two types of melanin: eumelanin and pheomelanin.

Red merle dogs have a mix of both eumelanin and pheomelanin, resulting in a distinctive red and black mottled coat. This is due to the interaction of the M and m genes.

Blue merle dogs, on the other hand, have a higher concentration of eumelanin, which gives them a darker, bluer coat. This is a result of the interaction of the M and m genes as well, but with a different ratio.

Understanding the genetics behind the red merle and blue merle patterns is crucial for breeders, as it can help them make informed decisions about breeding and selection.

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The Merle gene is a semi-dominant trait that creates the blotchy appearance in dogs, and it's been known and used by breeders for many years to produce unique coat patterns.

The Merle gene is involved in creating the blotchy appearance, and it's a combination of a dominant and recessive trait. Canines with the heterozygous Mm genotype are merle, and those with the homogeneous mm genotype are not.

A dog can be born with two copies of the M allele, resulting in a genotype of MM, which is a double merle or double dapple.

Dogs are amazing creatures, and understanding their genetics can be really cool. A dog is a domesticated mammal that belongs to the family Canidae.

Some dogs can have unique coat patterns, like the merle pattern, which is caused by a specific gene. This gene causes the pigment in the coat to be unevenly distributed, resulting in patches of diluted color on a solid background.

There are many breeds of dogs that can show merle patterns, with 22 breeds being known to display this coloration.

Dogs are generally healthy and happy, but it's essential to remember that different breeds are susceptible to health issues.

Some breeds, like giant breeds like the Great Dane, may need special care.

Breeding two M's together is highly discouraged due to the risk of double dapple breeding.

Always get a DNA test if you're unsure about your dog's genetic makeup before breeding.

All dogs, regardless of breed, should be fed age-appropriate food and a size-specific formula.

Cryptic merles are a fascinating phenomenon in dog genetics. They are dogs that appear to have normal coat coloring but are actually merles and can produce puppies with the merle coloration.

The exact reason why cryptic merles don't display the merle pattern remains unknown. This is one of the main reasons why breeders need to consider adding a disqualification of all merle Staffords to their standard.

A non-merle dog, unless a cryptic, will have inherited no merle gene. This means it will be represented as (mm) in genetic notation.

The merle gene is usually dominant, so a merle dog will have inherited the gene from one of its parents.

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Merle dogs have a unique genetic trait that's been around for a long time, with the first records dating back to the early 20th century.

The Merle gene is semi-dominant, meaning that only one copy of the merle allele (M) is needed to produce the characteristic blotchy appearance.

This allele is responsible for the irregular pigments in the coats of merle dogs, which can be either dominant or recessive.

The non-merle allele (m) is recessive, so canines with a heterozygous Mm genotype are merle, while those with the homogeneous mm genotype are not.

A dog can be born with two copies of the M allele, resulting in a genotype of MM, which is known as double merle or double dapple.

Double merles have mainly white base coats with larger blotchy patches, but they may also have inherent genetic and health issues.

Two variations of merles have been recognized: dilute, which has a diluted coat with no noticeable blotchy patches, and harlequin, which has light base coats with deep pigmentation.

Merle dogs are typically healthy and happy, but breeding two M's together is highly discouraged to prevent the chance of double dapple breeding.

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The Merle Dog Controversy is a heated topic in the dog breeding world. The genetics of blue Weimaraner breeds and other merle dogs can predispose them to poor vision and hearing.

Some breeds have naturally occurring merle genes, while others have them artificially introduced through crossbreeding. This practice has led to protests from those who believe it introduces possible defects and health conditions.

Two merles bred together can produce puppies with two copies of the M gene, leading to various health problems, including eye and ear defects.

The American Kennel Club stopped recognizing merle as a color in some breed standards due to the increased risk of impaired hearing and sight.

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The Merle Coat Color is a unique and beautiful pattern found in dogs. It's not a specific color, but rather a mottled coat pattern that can appear in various shades.

Merles often have white, tan, and black patches on their coats. The patching can range from lighter to darker shades, including blue, gray, red, brown, and black.

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Some Merles have blue eyes, while others have brown eyes or heterochromia, a condition where their eyes are two different colors. This is all due to the merle gene, which affects not only their coat color but also their skin pigmentation.

The merle pattern can appear in a variety of breeds, including Catahoula Leopard Dogs, Australian Shepherds, and Collies. These breeds are known to have a high incidence of merle coats.

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Australian Shepherds are one of the most common breeds showing the merle pattern, with roughly 40% of all Aussies being merle. They often have tan points, which are also prominent in the merle pattern.

Most merle Australian Shepherds are blue merles or red merles with tan points, while bi-colored dogs with a merle pattern are much rarer. They're high-strung working dogs that require daily mental and physical exercise.

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is another breed that can have a merle coat pattern, and they're known for their unique coloring and athleticism. They require intense exercise and a knowledgeable trainer, making them not suitable for first-time dog owners.

Australian Shepherds are one of the most common breeds showing the merle pattern, with roughly 40% of all Aussies being merle.

These dogs are high-strung working dogs that require daily mental and physical exercise, making them unsuitable for owners who like to relax at home.

Most Australian Shepherds are tri-colored, with tan points that are also prominent in the merle pattern.

The merle pattern does not affect the tan points, only the base color of the dog.

Most merle Australian Shepherds are blue merles or red merles with tan points, while bi-colored dogs with a merle pattern are much more rare.

Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent, active, and trainable, making them well-suited for working purposes.

With proper socialization and training, merle Australian Shepherds can be loyal and affectionate with their owners and good with children and other pets.

However, some merle dogs may be prone to nipping or herding behavior if not properly trained and socialized.

It's essential to research the breed and meet individual dogs to find one that suits your lifestyle and personality.

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is a unique-looking dog from Louisiana, originally used for hunting feral pigs. It's strong-willed and athletic, with a temperament and work ethic that's just as impressive as its appearance.

This breed can have a wide range of colors, including cream-colored, solid black, and everything in between. Some Catahoulas even show spotting of different forms and hues.

Don't be swayed by their unique coloring alone - these dogs require intense exercise and a knowledgeable trainer. They're not the right choice for first-time dog owners, unless you're willing to spend at least 2 hours every day working with your Catahoula.

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is one of several breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) for its merle coat pattern. This breed is just as deserving of respect as the Australian Shepherd and other merle breeds.

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is not the only breed to carry the M gene, but it's one of the most recognizable for its red dapple pattern.

Dogs with the merle gene are at a higher risk for specific health issues, including ocular, auditory, skeletal, cardiac, and reproductive abnormalities.

The merle gene can disrupt the development of both the inner ear and eyes, resulting in partial or complete loss of hearing and vision.

A 2006 paper on the merle gene found that 36.8% of dogs with the merle coat pattern suffered from hearing problems, ranging from mild to complete deafness.

Deafness, blindness, microphthalmia, and retinal dysplasia are common health issues associated with merle-to-merle breeding.

Double dapples are often wholly or partially blind, and can also be both deaf and blind.

Microphthalmia is a condition where the eyes are tiny, and most often do not function correctly or at all.

Retinal dysplasia is an often-inherited condition that causes the eye to form improperly, and can lead to complete blindness.

Here are some potential health risks associated with MM coloring in canines:

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes several dog breeds that can have a merle coat pattern, including the Australian Shepherd, Catahoula Leopard Dog, and Shetland Sheepdog.

These breeds have a unique look, with the merle pattern adding a distinctive touch. The Australian Shepherd has a blue splotchy pattern, while the Catahoula Leopard dog has a red dapple pattern.

The AKC is just one organization that recognizes merle breeds, and not all dogs with a merle coat pattern are recognized by them. Some merle breeds may be recognized by other breed clubs or organizations.

Several canine breeds carry the M gene, including the Australian Shepherd, Miniature American Shepherd, Collie, and Shetland Sheepdog. Each of these breeds has its unique look, with the merle pattern adding a distinctive touch.

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Merle dogs usually have mottled coats with a combination of white, tan, and black. Patching is often lighter and can be shades of blue to gray or even shades of red (sometimes called liver), including brown and black.

Merle dogs often have oddly colored eyes, a condition called heterochromia, or blue eyes. Some can also have brown eyes. The merle gene results in a mottled coat pattern which also shows up in the skin pigmentation.

The coloration extends past the fur, especially if the pet has never been shaved. This is because the gene combination that results in merle coloration can also result in other genetic differences as well.

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The dog genome contains approximately 3 billion base pairs of DNA and thousands of genes, but only 8 genes are associated with coat color.

These genes, known as loci, work together to control the production and distribution of two basic pigments: eumelanin and phaeomelanin.

The A (agouti) locus is responsible for different coat patterns in dogs and controls the release of melanin into the hair.

The E (extension) locus creates the black facial mask of many dogs as well as yellow or red coats and has four alleles in order of dominance: melanistic mask, grizzle, black, and red/cream.

The K (dominant black) locus controls dominant black, brindle, and fawn colors and includes colorations previously linked to other genes like Agouti.

The B (brown) locus is linked to brown, chocolate, and liver colors and has two alleles: B (dominant brown) and b (recessive brown).

It takes two recessives (bb) to dilute black pigment to brown, and the brown allele can change the color of the nose and foot pads to brown in dogs with red or yellow pigment.

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The D (dilute) locus is responsible for diluted pigment, which lightens coats from black or brown to gray or blue or very pale brown, and it takes two recessives (dd) to lighten black pigment to gray or blue and red pigment to cream.

The M (merle) locus creates coats of irregularly shaped patches of diluted pigment and solid color, and merle only dilutes eumelanin (black) pigment.

The H (harlequin) locus is associated with white dogs that have black patches and often interacts with the Merle locus to create different combinations of spots and colors.

Each of these loci works alone or in conjunction with another locus to control the production and distribution of eumelanin and phaeomelanin, determining the color of the dog.

A dog of one color may carry hidden colors in its gene pool that may appear in its pups, which is why you may have pups that are not mirror images of either parent.

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Merle dogs have a unique and striking coat pattern that's definitely eye-catching. The merle gene results in a mottled coat pattern, which can include a combination of white, tan, and black colors.

The merle coat pattern is not just limited to the fur, but also affects the skin pigmentation. Many owners have been surprised to find that the coloration extends past the fur, especially if their pet has never been shaved!

Merle dogs often have oddly colored eyes, a condition called heterochromia, or blue eyes. Some can also have brown eyes.

The merle gene is a common and distinct genetic trait in dogs, and has been identified in many breeds over the years.

Dogs can have a variety of coat colors due to the manipulation of two basic pigments, eumelanin and phaeomelanin, by multiple genes.

The combination of these genes determines the color of a dog, and a dog of one color may carry hidden colors in its gene pool that can appear in its pups.

The agouti locus is responsible for different coat patterns in dogs, including the switching between the two pigments, eumelanin and phaeomelanin.

The E (extension) locus creates the black facial mask of many dogs as well as yellow or red coats, with four alleles of this gene in order of dominance: melanistic mask (Em), grizzle (Eg), black (E), and red/cream (e).

The merle gene results in a mottled coat pattern that also shows up in the skin pigmentation, and many owners are surprised to find that the coloration extends past the fur.

Merle dogs usually have oddly colored eyes, a condition called heterochromia, or blue eyes, and some can also have brown eyes.

The merle gene can result in other genetic differences as well, and it's not a particular color, but rather a specific coat pattern that can be found in dogs.

The merle gene is responsible for creating coats of irregularly shaped patches of diluted pigment and solid color, and it only dilutes eumelanin (black) pigment, not phaeomelanin (red or yellow) pigment.

Merle dogs often have a combination of white, tan, and black patches, with patching that can be shades of blue to gray or even shades of red (sometimes called liver), including brown and black.

Merle dogs can also have oddly colored eyes, a condition called heterochromia, or blue eyes, and some can also have brown eyes.

The merle gene can result in a range of coat colors and patterns, including blue splotchy patterns in Australian Shepherds and red dapple patterns in Catahoula Leopard dogs.