red merle australian shepherd blue eyes

Is the red merle Australian shepherd dog right for you? However, the single merle dog, while less at risk than double merle, is also a little more likely to suffer from these problems than a solid colored dog. And to have a red coat the puppy must have two of the recessive bee genes. Eye color changes, lightens or darkens in adulthood. For example, when you think of the color red, you probably automatically picture in your mind a fire engine red. Studying and learning about canine genetics is a discipline that can easily last a lifetime. Whipps, H., Gregor Mendel, A Monk and His Peas, Live Science, 2008. The mottled pattern and blue eyes are caused by a dilution gene that only affects their body in patches. Many of them normally live for about 14 years. One common question many prospective or new red merle Australian Shepherd owners have is whether coat can influence temperament. However, it is not considered an official color. As we have seen, the merle color gene can be problematic for an Australian Shepherd when both parents contribute the gene to a puppy. This creates the mottled pattern that merle dogs are so well known for. While blue merle Australian Shepherds are often associated with blue eyes, not all have blue eyes. Remember how we talked about that gorgeous, fluffy double coat? Boerboels: Is This Breed Too Aggressive to be a Family Dog? These dogs are smart, athletic, fun-loving, energetic and very hard-working. Johnson, L., Grooming Your Australian Shepherd, Australian Shepherds Furever Rescue, 2016. The bicolor red merle is usually red merle and white. And remember that you also need a breeder who understands the dangers of the merle gene, and who breeds dogs with the merle gene responsibly. There is a reason the Australian Shepherd is so popular. Ill explain that in a moment. Like this: bb. The spots can be tiny or they can be large spots that cover large sections of their bodies. Protein should be the first ingredient. These shed cycles replenish the coat layers so they can do their job well. Most puppies with a double dose are born dead. They are instead bred for temperament and working ability. You may also want to check general dog rescues like local shelters, the Humane Society, or Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Wondering how much a Red Merle Australian Shepherd costs? The Miniature English Bulldog with a big heart, Your Complete Guide on the Adorable Corgi German Shepherd Mix, What is a Pomchi: Your Guide to the Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix, Miniature Collie breed info: The 101 on this cute and smart dog, Everything You Need To Know About The Affectionate Brussels Griffon, Aussalier Dog Breed: Pictures, Colors, Bark, Characteristics, and Diet. Your email address will not be published. But the gene that causes the red coat color in Australian Shepherds is a different gene altogether and, thus far at least, has not been similarly associated with any temperament problems. They love to be a part of their pack, which includes you and the rest of your family. Fatal white dogs are typically blind and deaf and usually suffer from neurological conditions if they survive past birth. Home Breeds Get to Know the Unique Red Merle Australian Shepherd. Throw a ball or frisbee, play hide and seek, make your own agility course whatever it takes! If you brush them often, the shedding hair comes off in the brush rather than all over your sofa and carpet. Good breeders wont mate two merle dogs together. Training doesnt stop after socialization. Red is a recessive gene, so that means it is a rarer coat color than the other Aussie colors. And the double merle gene comes with some very serious health problems. And the merle gene can cause serious damage to a puppys eyes and ears. This is called a double-merle and it is associated with a variety of potential health issues. Basic Genetics: Inheritance of Color and Pattern. This article will give you everything you need to know. Dont hesitate to find your new best friend by checking out local and regional Australian Shepherd rescues. So whats the bottom line? It also causes pigment changes in the dogs ear and eyes. 10 Best Basenji Dog Breeders in the USA: Basenji's for Sale. It has a water-resistant outer layer and inner insulating layer, for protection against the elements. There are always Aussies looking for homes, even the more rare red merle Aussie. They should look fit and you should be able to feel an indent in their waist. They may also have multicolored eyes. After World War II, the dogs became famous across the country for being associated with Western culture. No matter how much you learn, there is always still more to learn and discover! They will typically die before birth, and if they manage to survive, theyll live with severe defects for the rest of their life. If you have your heart set on finding a litter of red merle Australian Shepherd puppies, the best approach is to find a breeder that specializes in the red merle coat color pattern to help you choose your pup based on parent genetics (genotype). When this happens, they may bark, whine, have accidents in the house, or they might chew on something, particularly if it smells like you. Required fields are marked *. Even if you dont have a double merle dog, they still might suffer from eye problems such as cataracts and ear problems such as deafness, though it is less common. They are bred in other colors, but they need to be one of those four colors for official breed-sanctioned events.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'juniperpets_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',167,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-juniperpets_com-medrectangle-4-0')}; While Australian Shepherds are most well known for their merle coats and stunning blue eyes, those arent the only colors they come in. Again, be sure to do your research before settling on a breeder. Do you love splurging on your Australian Shepherd? United States Australian Shepherd Association, Australian Shepherd Health and Genetics Institute, Belgian Malinois Colors: The Diffirent Colors & Markings of a Mal Dog, Whippet VS Greyhound: The Key Differences in Look and Temperament, 18 Best Dog Foods for Chihuahuas [Puppies, Adults, Seniors], Tibetan Mastiff Dog Breed: Pictures, Colors, Bark, Characteristics, and Diet, Bullmastiff VS English Mastiff: The Key Differences in Look and Temperament, Your guide to the powerful Kunming Wolfdog. The one color you dont want to see in an Australian Shepherd is white, which is associated with a double dose of the merle gene. Learn more about the Australian Shepherd Price here. Typically, youll see red merle tricolor Aussies with white markings, merle coloring throughout, and patches of solid black, red, silver, or brown. You might also want to use a conditioner to keep their coat looking healthy and tangle-free. These are clever dogs, and if you dont keep training them for life, they will train themselves in ways that you might not like so much! Australian shepherd dogs also suffer from cancer, epilepsy, and other health issues. All four colors may also include white or tan (copper) markings (ticking or points). Loving and loyal: is the eye-catching Parti Yorkie right for you? The price can vary depending on the quality of the breeder and the dog itself. It can also impact eye pigment and skin pigment. Finally, double-merle dogs can have some serious health challenges. This doesnt mean both parents must be red, because a blue merle Aussie or solid blue Aussie, can carry the red gene and pass it on. First lets take a look at how breeders create that amazing merle coat and explore some possible genetic color links to temperament and health and more! A merle color pattern, on the other hand, can show up with incredible variety from puppy to puppy. They are reserved towards strangers but incredibly loving and affectionate towards their people. They just need to carry the gene. The second is solid, also known as self. Aussies are active dogs and they need plenty of mental and physical stimulation to be happy. However, with the merle gene, you simply cannot do that. Well, it requires some maintenance. If you hear the clackity clack sound of their nails on the ground as they walk, its time for a trim. In the case of black dogs, they will have the gene to be black, but they will also carry a gene that dilutes that pigmentation and makes the expression weaker. The merle gene causes the lightening of pigment in patches throughout the body. These dogs are considered very desirable because of their silvery grey color. The merle gene creates patches of color, blended with solid patches. This variety of shades is why breeders sometimes refer to the red color in Australian Shepherds as the red spectrum of colors instead of just saying red. This can also be helpful to remember as your puppy grows up, since Australian Shepherd coats often darken naturally as dogs grow older. They are one of the most coveted colors with their unique dappled coat and, what theyre possibly most well known for, their stunning blue eyes. They might have abnormal eye development or might be missing one or both eyes. Along with full solid (self) coat colors and full merle coat color patterns, there is a phenomenon in dog breeding known as the cryptic or phantom merle coat pattern. Todays Australian Shepherds coat colors still show traces of these influences inherited from the Pyrenean Shepherd and various Collie breeds. Why not get a border collie or some other similar working dog, instead? Enjoy the blog! If these patches do not coincide with the eyes, the dog will have brown eyes instead. For a healthy merle dog, you want the dog to have only one dose of the merle gene. Hedan, B., et al, Coat color in dogs: identification of the Merle locus in the Australian Shepherd breed, MBC Journal of Veterinary Research, 2006. They shed year-round, but especially in the spring and fall when they blow their coat. The most accurate answer researchers have found to date is probably not. Researchers studying mouse genetics discovered a match between a gene for red hair in mice and a gene for red hair in people that seems to predict what they call a scrappy temperament. Their loyal nature is both a good thing and a bad thing. Owners often describe the Aussie as a Velcro dog. Youll get fewer merle puppies that way, but youll also reduce the risk of producing fatal whites. Both parents must have the red coat gene to produce red merle puppies. The merle gene works by causing a variation in pigment in the hair and skin cells. Thats why when breeding for merles. The merle gene also acts as an influencer for paw pads color, eye color, nose color and lips color. If you neglect them, theyll use their smarts to get into trouble. Dogs with two Merle genes like this: MM are known as Double Merle. Welcome to Juniper Pets! From raising dogs and goldfish to raising horses and chickens, I've done it all. How can you tell this coat color pattern apart from other common coat colors and patterns within the Aussie breed? But if a faint (phantom) regular merle dog that looks solid-colored is bred to a regular merle Aussie, this may result in double merle puppies. Most Aussies cost anywhere from $600 to $3,000, but most fall on the lower end of the scale. This includes the beloved Border Collie. Read Next: 10 Goofy Australian Shepherd Quirks Aussie Behaviors Explained. Not all Blue Merle Aussies have blue eyes. Many owners love them for their yodeling, as these dogs do not make the traditional barking sound found with other 10 Interesting Facts About Rough Green Snakes. Dont worry, you can train any dog to be calm when you leave by rewarding them for being calm as you step out of the door. Heres how to make sure your dog is happy and well taken care of. Unless you aspire to breed Australian Shepherds yourself, the best way to shorten your personal genetic learning curve while searching for a puppy is to work with a knowledgeable breeder who keeps excellent genetic breeding records and performs genetic pre-testing on parent dogs. The reason knowledgeable Australian Shepherd dog breeders can predict these types of changes in advance boils down to the difference between your dogs phenotype (appearance) and genotype (genetics). This is even true within a single litter! That will allow the gene to be expressed without suffering any health consequences. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. They may try to herd little kids around, so teach them that this is unacceptable. Dogs can be one color or pattern, two colors or patterns (known as bicolor), or three colors or patterns, known as tricolor. They might have all kinds of health problems, including blindness, deafness, skin sensitivity, and eye sensitivity. The eyes of dogs displaying the blue and red merle coat colors will often take on a flecked or marbled color pattern. At a minimum, they need 30-60 minutes of exercise every single day, rain or shine. Kirby, S., About the Australian Shepherd, Skyquake Aussies Kennel, 2018. Even if both parents have blue eyes, the puppy may not. And giving you great tips on raising your Shepherd pup. Aussies of all coat colors can really stand out because of their beautiful eye color. They also arent happy running around the yard alone. The Australian part of the Aussies name is not precisely accurate. Red merle Australian Shepherds need to be socialized when they are young. 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