Merle information

I've been seeing a lot of dane, catahoula and collie people selling Double merle (homozygous)
dogs and hearing from people that have been getting visibly non merle dogs (appearing black
and white or black and tan or sable or any pattern other than merle) that are deaf or blind from
a merle to merle breeding. Some of these people did have the dogs tested and they came back
as double merle, if you choose to support a Merle to Merle breeding don't let the breeders lie
to you with evidence from breeders that actively breed and produce double merle dogs. Here
is some scientific articles.

They are told the

breedings are safe
because the parents are
not high white or the
parents are not visibly
merle so there is "no
risk"

Please keep in mind

that ONE type of
hearing loss is related
to excessive white but
they also have deafness
and hearing problems
associated with the
gene itself .

 Merle information

M(any alteration)/m X M(any alteration)/m= 25% DM of any M_/M_ alteration,

25% non merle- no risk (mm) no merle with no merle risk.

25% at a high risk of merle related health concerns. Homozygous merle DM of any M_/M_
alteration. Merle may or may not be visible (MaMa, MaMc, MaMh, MaM, McMc, McMh, McM,
MhMh, MhM, MM)

50% heterozygous, at mild to moderate risk due to gene itself + 25% of DM = 75% at risk.
Merle may or may not be visible. ( Mam , Mhm, Mcm, Mm)

see “Single gene merle and deafness”

looking at that we have to acknowledge that when the study was done was 2009 which
means that there was every possibility that some of the presumed heterozygous merles
were actually double merle (homozygous)

single gene merle and deafness-

http://www.lsu.edu/deafness/StrainMerleJVIM2009.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19192156

No merle french bulldog-

http://www.frenchbulldogclubnsw.asn.au/No-merle-french-bulldogs---buyer-beware.php

deafness causes in dogs-

http://www.lsu.edu/deafness/genetics.htm

Eye deformities-
https://www.doublemerles.info/eye-abnormalities

"microcornea, mild conjunctival hyperemia, a large typical iris coloboma, and immature cataract"
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4466837/

 Merle information

http://color.ashgi.org/color/eyedefects.htm

Some breeders have gone so far as to claim their breeds are “immune” to the risks associated
with merle.

keep this in mind no matter how the dog looks homozygous merle is always a risk.

merle eye deformity risk study-

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/418699

Sterility in DM- For example, dogs homozygous for the merle gene may be deaf and have
microphthalmia with other associated ocular conditions and be sterile (26,27) - Furthermore, we know
that animals with these predisposing coat color patterns are more likely to be deaf if they have
heterochromia irides or blue eyes (3,18–20). Sensorineural deafness, and pigment related deafness.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2871368/

ADBA mentioning immune weakness- It is also true that the merle color pattern has not been
a prevalent color pattern in the breed. We feel that this is because of its associated genetic
weaknesses that occur in some individuals with this flawed gene.

https://adbadog.com/health-merle-pattern/

Breeding of DM -
http://www.border-wars.com/2011/06/double-merle-breeders-dont-want-you-to-see-this.html

 Merle information

Australian shepherds on DM discussing health issues neuro and immune system

weakness-
https://www.lethalwhites.com/doublemerle.html

Two solid parents producing an excessive white double merle.

https://www.welshcorgi-news.ch/Leseecke/InfoCorgi/Cryptic_merle_eng.html

types of merle-

M-normal merle

M(a)- can be barely visible, non visible appearing solid or non merle, or appear as a normal
merle.

M(c)- non visible appearing solid or non merle

M(h)- Harlequin

all possess a high risk when homozygous also known as double merle.

A lot of disreputable breeders do this because if its not visible they can get away with saying
its "safe" it's not don't allow yourself to be fooled or lied to.

they do this so they can produce more merle dogs as they "sell better"

Some breeders have gone so far as to claim their breeds are “immune” to the risks associated
with merle.

keep this in mind no matter how the dog looks homozygous merle is always a risk.

Can the gene exist naturally without being misused for greed and an easy sell?

yes, but that will only happen with better breeding practices and stopping the lies about what
the dogs you have are and what the gene does.

Lies help no one. The more merle you have the higher the risk.

Merle harlequin danes-

http://www.border-wars.com/2011/07/something-is-rotten-in-harlequin-danes.html

Merle in Pomeranians-
http://www.thedogpress.com/ClubNews/Tail-Wags-Dog_Coats-109.asp

Merle breeds or breeds having merle added in through fraudulent paperwork -

American bully, Great dane, australian shepherd, Old english sheepdog, pembroke corgi,
cardigan corgi, collie, border collie, Mudi, Koolie, Catahoula, Leopard hound, dachshund,
beauceron, Alphaha blue blooded bulldog, dunker, beagle, shetland sheepdog, australian
shepherd, xolo, pyrenean, bergamasco, american cocker spaniel, APBT, Am staffordshire
terriers, staffordshire terriers, german shepherds, husky, mastiff, Cane corso, pomeranian,
chihuahua, labrador. Min pin, Greyhound, bulldog, french bulldog, whippet, boston terrier.
poodle. bull terrier

Breeds where Double merle or cryptic merle breedings are the most popular-
Catahoula, Great Dane, French bulldog, bulldog, american bully, australian shepherd, border
collie, Collie.

 Merle information

Merle information

Merle information