australian shepherds
come in several colors:
blue merle
, red merle, red, tri-color (white, black, and tan), and black. A merle coat has a patchwork of dark blotches against a lighter background , so a blue merle dog has black patches on gray and a red merle dog has red patches on beige.
How much is a merle Australian Shepherd?
We recommend setting aside between $800 and $2,000 for your Blue Merle Australian Shepherd depending on where you live, what breeder you choose, and if you want to obtain breeding rights or a show-quality dog.
Why are Aussies called blue merle?
The breed standards state that Australian Shepherds can come in some combination of two basic body colors (black and liver), one pattern (merle), and two trim colors (white and tan.) Of these, the pattern merle is described as two “colors”: Blue merle and red (liver) merle.
Why do merle Aussies cost more?
It’s not uncommon for breeders to charge extra for say, tri-colored or merle Australian Shepherds. This is because they’re higher in demand What is this? Although not everyone, many potential owners prefer the unique looks of merles and tri-colors.
Are merle Aussies rare?
#2 Red Merle 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.
Do merle dogs have more health problems?
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.
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.
What’s the difference between an Australian Shepherd and a blue merle?
What is this? These dogs have the iconic blue merle coat as a
base color
. However, unlike the tri color, these Aussies do not have the copper and tan markings on the coat. Instead, they only have white markings.
Do blue 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.
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).
Is blue merle rare?
Blue merle is actually one of the rarest Border Collie coat colors This coat color can only be produced in puppies by dogs who carry the dominant merle gene.
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.
How much is a merle bully worth?
Despite this, Merle American Bully can cost between $5,000 and $10,000 or more This is because they are quite rare, although even then, you run the risk of your American Bully not actually being a purebred dog.
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.
What is a
harlequin merle
?
Harlequin is a pattern seen in Great Danes resulting from the complex interaction of the Merle (PMEL17) and Harlequin (PSMB7) genes on black pigment The dominant Merle gene by itself produces dark spots on a dilute background on eumelanistic dogs.
How do I know if my dog is double merle?
Dogs with the double merle gene may be/have: All white in color, or have patches of merle/mottled coloring on the top half of their body – their head, back, and base of the tail. Light-colored paw pads. Have light blue, green or brown eyes, perhaps even eyes that are different colors.
What is the most popular Aussie color?
1. Black Tri Australian Shepherds. The black tri Australian Shepherd is one of the most common and basic colors combination of this dog.
How long do Australian Shepherds live?
Aussies are best suited for families with an active lifestyle and a large fenced yard. They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom. They can weigh between 35 and 70 pounds and have an average life span of 12-13 years.
Can you breed a red and blue merle?
In a breeding where one parent is red, such as blue merle to red tri or red merle to black tri, we typically get more red’s in the litter, usually 70%, such as 3 red merle, 3 red tri, 1 black tri, & 1 blue merle.
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.
What happens if you breed two merles?
If two merle dogs are bred together, each puppy in the litter has a 25% chance of being born a double merle A double merle inherits the merle gene twice. One copy of the merle gene causes a marbling effect on the coat and creates lighter spots throughout the solid color coat.
How long do blue merle Aussies live?
With a life span of approximately 12 to 16 years , blue merle Australian Shepherd dogs are primarily healthy. However, Australian Shepherds, in general, can be predisposed to a number of genetic health issues.
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 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 2 Aussie merles?
Many people are unaware, but when two merles (of any breed) are bred together, each puppy has a 25% chance of being born as a double merle These puppies have excessive white coloration – lack of pigment – and this coloration causes loss of hearing, vision, or any combination of the two impairments.
What is the difference between merle and dapple?
The merle (also called dapple) pattern is the pattern in which random splotches of dark pigment are overlaid over a lighter shade of the same color.
Is merle the same as brindle?
Like merle, brindle is also a coat color pattern , it is often described as being “tiger-striped.” The stripes are irregular and dark against a lighter base color that is often fawn, brown or gray. The brindle coat pattern is found in several dog breeds including great danes, bulldogs and boxers.
Is merle a mutation?
Merle is among the most exciting coat color mutations of dogs both phenotypically and genotypically The autosomal semidominant inheritance of this mutation was described nearly a century ago. Two alleles have been identified and distinguished: the wild “m” allele and the mutant “M” (or merle) allele [8].
Are merle dogs hypoallergenic?
Still, some dog experts might claim that the merle poodle isn’t hypoallergenic because of its coat color; it’s because the poodles, in general, don’t usually trigger allergies. What is this? The merles simply have all the traits, including the hypoallergenic one , like any other poodle pooch.
Can merle dogs be AKC registered?
The Kennel Club has announced that it will no longer accept registration applications for merle-coloured dogs in breeds where there is no documented evidence of the colour having been well established over a sustained period.
Do merle dogs fade?
Their blue eyes are a clue that they are genetically merle, although blue eyes can also occur entirely separately from the merle gene, so can’t be taken as solid proof. Sometimes a light merling pattern can be seen at birth, but this generally fades as the dog ages.
How rare is a blue merle Australian Shepherd?
Blue Merle Australian shepherds aren’t considered rare and are more common than Red Merle Aussies. The color patterns of a blue merle coat can vary. They may have a piebald or solid coat with black patches. They often have white markings, especially on the legs and face.
What is a mismarked merle?
Dogs with excess white markings , sometimes referred to as mismarks, or over-marked. Australian Shepherds with too much white are usually healthy(exceptions noted below). There are entire breeds that allow far more white than typical of Aussies.
What color eyes do blue merle Aussies have?
Blue, pictured in the blue merle section, has dark amber eyes. In both eyes he has a darker amber ring around the iris and several brown flecks in the iris.
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.
Are Australian Shepherds good house dogs?
If you are familiar with the breed, you probably know that they are famous for their abundant energy levels, and you may be wondering – are they good indoor dogs? Yes! Like most dogs, Aussies (and Mini Aussies) are active and outdoorsy, but still best suited to indoor living.
Is merle dominant or recessive?
Description: Merle is a coat pattern found in Australian Shepherds, Collies, Shelties, and a number of other dog breeds. This particular phenotype is inherited as an autosomal, incompletely dominant trait.
What is an atypical merle?
Atypical merle dogs can have several different changes to their coat including reddish undertones, diluted coat color, or other anomalies Classic merle dogs have large, irregularly shaped fully pigmented regions separated by areas of diluted coat color.
References
How Much Does an Australian Shepherd Cost? – 4 Factors of Australian Shepherd Prices
Blue Merle Australian Shepherd: The Complete Dog Breed Guide
Merle Australian Shepherds – 12 Things You Should Know Before Buying or Adopting