Red is a recessive gene, so that means it is a rarer coat color than the other Aussie colors Aussies can inherit one of two
coat patterns
.
What is a
red merle australian shepherd
?
Australian Shepherds come in lots of beautiful colors, including the red merle. Similar in their markings to the blue merles, red merles have mottled patches of liver and cream They may also have patches of white or copper. They have a merle gene that can change their eye color to either pale blue or odd-colored eyes.
Are red merle Aussies common?
Red Merle Australian Shepherd Temperament It is the 16th most popular purebred pet dog in the United States (out of 193 purebred
dog breeds
). These dogs are smart, athletic, fun-loving, energetic and very hard-working. Owners often describe the Aussie as a “Velcro” dog.
Do red merles darken?
Red merle Aussies may darken with age , as well, and they have a marbled reddish coat. Red merle puppies can be very light in color, but the red in their fur will usually turn a rich, brownish-red by adulthood.
What is the rarest Aussie color?
Red merles are far less common than blue merles because the red-colored gene is recessive in dogs, meaning both parents have to have it for their offspring to inherit the coat. Red is the rarest color in Aussies generally, although the red merle coat is one of the more common red-colored coats in the breed.
Are merle dogs healthy?
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 red merle Australian Shepherds shed?
So the quick answer here is that yes, Aussies do indeed shed In fact, they shed quite a bit. But it’s not unmanageable. You’ll want to stick to regular grooming routines in order to keep your Aussie’s fur off your furniture or your clothes.
Whats the difference between
red tri
and red merle Australian Shepherd?
It’s important to note that there are no physical differences between the Australian Shepherd red tri and the other variations of the breed. The only difference is the color ! Their coat is still straight to wavy, of medium-rough texture, with a bit of a mane and some frilling.
How much is a red merle Australian Shepherd?
The average price of the Australian Shepherd ranges from $650 to $850 However, an Aussie can cost anywhere between $300 to $1,800+ USD depending on breeder reputation, coat colors, pedigree and location.
Do merle Australian Shepherds have more health problems?
Many other breeds risk severe health problems with their ears and eyes. Even single merles. Australian shepherds seem to only risk these more severe problems when they’re double. While merle Australian shepherds are still prone to hip dysplasia, cataracts, and epilepsy, they’re relatively healthy.
Do Australian Shepherds bark a lot?
Keep in mind the average Australian Shepherd tends to bark a lot , making it a little more challenging to get him to stop barking unless you give him the ‘speak’ command or there is a situation in which he needs to bark to alert you.
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).
Can a red merle Aussie have a
black nose
?
Aside from the issue of pink on the nose, generally seen only in merles and addressed above, black and blue merle dogs can only have black noses and red/red merle dogs can only have liver noses.
What does red merle mean?
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. There are two general types of colored patches that will appear in a merle coat: liver (red merle) and black (blue merle).
Can a red merle Australian Shepherd have blue merle puppies?
In a breeding where one parent is NOT red factored, the litter will only produce blue merle & black tri as, again, BOTH parents must be red factored to produce red puppies For instance breeding a blue merle that is not red factored to a black tri that is red factored will yield only blue merle & black tri.
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 All the merle gene does is determine whether or not a dog is merle. This gene is an incomplete dominant. Two dominant copies produce a “double merle” which will most likely have serious eye defects and may be deaf.
Do merle puppies change color?
Merle Dog Puppies Merle coloring can become darker with age So, be aware that those white areas on your merle puppy may start to look grayer as your dog ages. But other than that, a merle dog puppy will have all the attributes of an adult of the breed.
Do all merle Aussies have blue eyes?
The short answer is no. Not all Blue Merle Aussies have blue eyes However, it is prevalent. The blue merle color and pattern are caused by a gene that varies the amount of pigment in the hair, skin, and eyes.
What is the difference between merle and Tri?
Red merle makes up this base coat for this color combination. They have red spots on top of an buff (a light orange-brown) to silver base color. The tri colored version has white markings found on the face, chest, legs and belly. They also have copper highlights usually seen on the face and legs only.
What is a dilute merle Australian Shepherd?
Red merle dilutes have medium-toned dark patches on a pale background with pale liver on the nose and other exposed skin Given the extreme variation in red pigmentation in “normal” reds and red merles it is possible that a dilute might not be recognized as such.
Can you breed two merle Australian Shepherds?
If you don’t want to produce homozygous merles in your litters, it’s easy to avoid doing so: Don’t breed two merles together.
Are Australian Shepherds easy to train?
With an Aussie’s boundless energy, channeling it into something constructive can do wonders for your dog. These dogs bond strongly with their families. Their loyalty with their intelligence and high energy makes them very easy to train.
How cold is too cold for Australian Shepherd?
Typically, australian shepherds can handle temperatures of 45 degrees fahrenheit and above pretty comfortably. If temperatures reach below 32 degrees fahrenheit , then it is a good idea to let your dog come inside to stay on the safe side.
Why are merle dogs more 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.
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.
Why can’t 2 merles breed?
The unethical practice of breeding double merles is generally condemned worldwide, not only because so many are considered defective and put down at birth by their breeders, but because of the health problems that plague them, namely, partial or complete deafness and blindness.
Do Australian Shepherds like to cuddle?
While Australian Shepherds can be very affectionate, loving, and cuddly dogs with their family members, they may not act the same way at all with someone they don’t know. This dog will enjoy snuggling with the people he trusts.
Should I get a golden retriever or Australian Shepherd?
The Golden Retriever is a better breed for first-time owners and families due to its friendliness, trainability, and fun-loving attitude The Australian Shepherd is a great breed known for loyalty, intelligence, and positivity, but their independent nature makes them better for experienced owners.
Do Australian Shepherds smell?
While Aussies have a natural odor , with proper care it should not become an overpowering bad smell. Most often the cause of a strong odor from your shepherd is due to their coat’s condition. For many owners, bathing their Australian shepherd poses some challenges.
Are male or female Australian Shepherds better?
As you can tell, there are no major personality differences between female Australian Shepherds and their male counterparts Both genders have wonderful personalities that make them fit companions and family members. Choosing a male vs female Australian Shepherd is a matter of personal preference.
Can a red merle dog have blue merle puppies?
Merles commonly have blue eyes Sometimes they have one blue and one brown eye. They can also, on occasion, have two brown eyes. Sometimes dogs may appear to have normal coat colouring but are in fact merles and will produce puppies with the merle colouration.
What do you breed to get a red merle in Australia?
- black,
- blue,
- red, and.
- white.
References