Merle Border Collie Animal Restaurant (2024)

FAQs

How do you get a merle Border Collie? ›

Merle is inherited in a dominant fashion, meaning that only one copy of an M allele is necessary for a dog to display some variation of the merle coat color/pattern, which is marked by random dilution of eumelanin (black pigment) leaving patches of normal coat color within areas of diluted pigmentation.

Probably the least common of the Border Collie colors or color patterns is the merle.

The quick answer is that a well-bred merle dog with one copy of the merle gene will be as healthy as a solid-colored dog. If a dog is a so-called “double merle” however, he is likely to suffer from vision, hearing and skin problems.

Temperament and Behavior

These dogs are smart, driven, and energetic, making them excellent working dogs. They are also playful and make great companions for families. In terms of personality, Red Merle Border Collies are protective of their owners and can be wary of strangers.

Also known as dapple, merle is characterized by irregular blotches of fur set on a lighter background of the same pigment, such as solid black on gray (called blue merle) or solid brown on tan (red merle). Blue and partially blue eyes are often seen with the merle pattern, as well.

Adolescence is the age range where most Border Collies are rehomed or are put into rescue. It can be a challenging time for some. As the cute innocent puppy grows and their body develops they become stronger and more physically able. Then hormones kick in.

As well as developing blindness and deafness in later life, double merle puppies can be born with health defects, like microphthalmia. This is where the eyes of the merle dog are a lot smaller and do not form properly.

Merle collies with only one gene copy, and collies with other coat colors, may be born with normal eyes and vision, or they may suffer from one of many genetic eye disorders common to the breed. Single merle dogs often have one blue eye or a blue section in a brown eye, which is not harmful.

Merle dogs of any breed are likely to be more expensive than solid-colored dogs, even though a lot of responsible breeders try to change that. Depending on how rare the merle pattern is in the breed and how much the standard price for a puppy is, your merle dog might cost up to $3,000.

The Border collie can often live as long as 18 years or more. The most common causes of death are old age, cancer and cerebral vascular afflictions.

What are the disadvantages of Border Collie? ›

Border Collies are intelligent, active, and loyal dogs that make excellent pets for the right family. However, due to their high energy level, need for mental stimulation, and risk of separation anxiety, they aren't suitable for everyone.

Health. In general, the Border Collie is a healthy breed, but it has characteristic health conditions. Common genetic diseases are hip dysplasia, collie eye anomaly, progressive retinal atrophy, lens luxation and epilepsy. Grey collie syndrome is specific for collie breeds, from Rough, Smooth to Border collie.

One question many ask, however, is whether Border Collies are affectionate dogs. You'll be pleased to know that Border Collies are extremely affectionate. Indeed, they crave human contact and, once bonded to you, will be one of the most affectionate dogs you've ever owned.

Currently, there is no solid scientific evidence on the difference between male and female Border Collie temperament. However, anecdotal evidence does suggest that male Border Collies tend to be easier to handle and are more devoted to their owners.

They come from a cross between a Roman breed and a Viking breed. Although the Border Collie was bred along the border between Scotland and England, they do not come from either a Scottish or English breed. Instead, the Border Collie is actually a mix of a Roman herding breed and a Viking Spitz-variety herding breed.

Each dog has two copies of every gene; one that they inherit from their mother and one they inherit from their father. The merle gene variant is dominant, which means that a dog only needs one copy, inherited from either of their parents, to have a merle coat.

As you can see each puppy has a 50% chance of being born merle, a 25% of being solid/non merle, and a 25% chance of being a double merle.

It's clear from this that breeding a double merle to a non merle is the only way to get a completely merle litter. Double merle to non merle and merle to non merle are the only "safe" breedings - i.e. the only ones which cannot produce double merle puppies.

Animals that do not present the merle phenotype may possess the merle genotype and subsequently produce merle offspring. These animals are known as cryptic merles, as they don't appear to be merle but can produce merles.