The Border Collie merle has a coat variation that enchants anyone, but also brings many doubts. What is the explanation for this dog color? Does the merle coat derive from a genetic problem? Is the pet's health impaired by it? There are many questions, which do not always have an easy answer. The Border Collie merle has a "marbled" appearance in the coat, which usually presents itself in the sides of the dog.blue merle versions (shades ranging from black to grey mixed with white) and red merle (white coat with reddish or brown tones). Another striking feature is the lighter spots, usually pinkish, which appear mainly on the muzzle, mouth and around the eyes. All this combination results in a curious appearance and even considered exotic.

Of genetic origin, the merle coat can occur not only in the Border Collie puppy, but also in dogs of other breeds and sizes - Australian Shepherd, Great Dane and Dachshund, the famous sausage dog, are some examples. The Paws of the House went after answers to understand the origin of the merle dog coat and what the impacts of this genetic pattern are on the health and quality of life of the Border Collie.

Border Collie: a little dog that leaves its mark wherever it goes

Known as the smartest dog in the world, the Border Collie is a breed that can surprise in many behaviors. For starters, the breed has an impressive capacity for learning and memorization. This is what revealed a research published in the Elsevier Journal, which found that the Border Collie is able to understand and memorize more than 1000 verbal commands associated with different objects.The dog is also an excellent sportsman super suitable for practices such as canicross (dog racing) and agility, which benefits greatly from the breed's ability to learn and obedience. Inserting these exercises into the Border Collie's routine is a great way to spend their energy, which can be endless, especially when we talk about puppies.

The Border Collie may be a little independent, but he also loves spending time with his family. Super suitable for living with children, the little dog will become a great playmate with the little ones. He loves to receive affection and does not miss the opportunity to show his loyalty and love to his tutor. That is, he is a strong candidate to be your best friend!

Border Collie merle has a different genetic pattern

The color of the Border Collie puppy is determined by a number of genetic factors, and so is the Border Collie merle. The dog with this coat type has a different genetic pattern to the others. "Merle" is actually the name given to a heterozygote of an incompletely dominant gene. This gene causes patches on the coat of solid or two-tone color, and is also responsible for the dog'sblue eyes or heterochromia - typical characteristics of a Border Collie blue merle.

But not all pets with the gene are born with this appearance and may just be a "ghost merle." When the coat colors are not visible, but the guardian suspects that the puppy is a Border Collie merle, it is important that a laboratory test be done. The merle gene can be identified with DNA tests. But is it really necessary to seek this information? Yes, because the Border Collie merlecannot cross with another puppy carrying the same gene.

What are the colors of Border Collie merle?

Although the merle gene leaves the Border Collie puppy with a unique coat, there are a few different coat patterns that can occur within the gene. Not every Border Collie merle has matching colors and usually has unique characteristics. Although the spotted appearance of the hair is typical of the gene, it can occur in different solid colors or bicolors. The Border Collie merle looking"marbled" can have variations such as:

• Border Collie red merle
• Border Collie red merle tricolor
• Border Collie blue merle
• Border Collie blue merle tricolor

What are the possible colors of the Border Collie that does not carry the merle gene?

The whole appearance of the Border Collie draws attention: the imposing and focused size and at the same time ready to play makes it a very special dog. Among the colors of Border Collie, something that draws attention is that the breed will always have an all-white coat with spots. In addition to the classic (and most common) Border Collie with black spots, the breed can also have the extremities and parts of the body in the tonesof gray, reddish and a chocolate-like brown.

Border Collie: cross between two dogs with the merle gene is banned

If you've come this far, you've already understood how the merle Border Collie develops, but can the different genetic pattern make the puppy more prone to some diseases? The merle coat itself does not cause health problems to the animal, as long as it is not a "double merle" - that is, when the mother and father of the puppy carry the gene. The Border Collie that carries the double merle coat genecan be born with deafness, blindness, microphthalmia (smaller than normal eyes due to flaws in the embryonic process), sterility, epilepsy and other health complications. Double merle occurs when two dogs with the merle gene cross with each other, generating puppies with an unbalanced genetic pattern and prone to malformations. Therefore, this type of crossing is prohibited.

Another issue is that the Border Collie double merle results in a dog that is practically all white, which is not officially recognized by the International Cynological Federation (FCI). Because of this, genetic testing to identify the "ghost merle" in suspected cases is important so that there is no improper crossing between two dogs with the gene that results in puppies more likely to have a white merle.serious health problems.