wiener can come in twelve of different colors and pattern , but one of the most eye - catching is Turdus merula . Merle dogs have a strong base color with random spell and fleck of another people of colour throughout their coat . A genetic mutation is really responsible for this sensational convention . Merle is a naturally occurring pattern in a lot of dog strain ( you ’ll be surprised how many ! ) , but it ’s also a trait many breeders have bred into some lines . determine out these gorgeous Turdus merula dog photos and learn a morsel more about each stock .
1. Australian Shepherd
When you ideate a merle frankfurter , you probably see anAustralian Shepherdin your head . They ’re definitely the most coarse ousel strain , and over 1/3 of all Aussies are reportedly merle . This stock comes in blue merle as well as ruddy merle .
2. Border Collie
Another of your favorite herding strain can be found in ousel : theBorder Collie . That say , merle Border Collies are definitely rare . Most somebody of this stock are the classic sinister and white , although they also come in stark black , red , sable , brindle , red merle , and blue merle .
3. Cardigan Welsh Corgi
There are two type of Corgis , but only one carries the merle cistron : theCardigan Welsh Corgi . These shorties are slimly bigger than their cousins , the Pembroke Welsh Corgi , and have long , feathered tails . This breed is most usually found in blue merle ; red merle Corgis are super uncommon .
4. Catahoula Leopard Dog
TheCatahoula Leopard Dogearned their name from their spotted merle coat . Most are puritanic or red ousel , though it ’s potential to happen Catahoulas in solid colors . Dogs with the merle cistron often have heterochromia , which is where each centre is a dissimilar colour , usually one brown and one blue .
The Catahoula Leopard Dog is named for Catahoula Parish , Louisiana , and is thestate ’s official dog .
5. Chihuahua
You ’re in all probability used to seeingChihuahuasin dun , white , or disgraceful , but they can also be found in European blackbird . Merle is n’t a course pass Chihuahua color ; the factor was bred into this breed , so technically a Turdus merula Chihuahua is n’t a purebred dog . They can also have a lot of health problem with their hearing and heap , so most ethical breeders decline to breed merle chis .
6. Collie
" Lassie Goes Merle " could be the name of a smash hit movie , and it ’s not a big stretch becauseColliescan definitely get along in a European blackbird pattern . Both fierce and smooth collie can possess the blackbird gene , which yield their tenacious , flow coat that eye - catch mottled formula . Collies are found in a gamey merle that normally appear light or colored grey . We think it ’s stunning .
7. Dachshund
Merle in the Dachshund breed is referred to as " dapple , " so alternatively of a merle Dachshund , you ’ll discover a dappleDachshund . These dogs have the same cute mottled , patchy design as other merle breeds . But unfortunately , dapple Dachshunds are prone to more health problems than other doxies due to the merle cistron .
8. French Bulldog
A merleFrench Bulldog ? Yep ! Though this pattern is very uncommon within the breed , so merle Frenchies are incredibly pricy ; you could pay well over $ 5,000 for one of these special Canis familiaris . The merle factor was introduced to this breed fairly recently , so they ’re also voiceless to come by . alas , the breed is at high risk for several health issues already , but those with the merl factor can experience middle and hearing abnormalities , too . This colouration is different than the brindle figure , which is also common within French Bulldogs .
9. Great Dane
Have you ever interpret anything more majestic than a merleGreat Dane ? The blackbird gene in Great Danes is very nearly related to the cistron that produces their Harlequin pattern , which sport big dark patches across their body . Just as two ouzel spawn together can create " dual ouzel " heel with health problems , breed a ouzel and harlequin can produce the same .
10. Miniature American Shepherd
The Miniature American Shepherd is the prescribed name of what most people refer to as the"Mini Aussie . “These bite - sized dog condescend from the original Australian Shepherd and retain a lot of their characteristics , include the merle gene . Like the standard Aussie , miniskirt can also be " double European blackbird , " which happen when a hot dog inherits two written matter of the blackbird gene from their parents .
11. Pomeranian
How cute is the merlePomeranian ? ! This speckled traffic pattern is a New trait that has been bred into some Pomeranian lines . Unlike many other strain that do n’t of course have the merle gene , poms of all colour ( admit blackbird ! ) are accept by the AKC strain standard . But finding a ousel Pomeranian can be difficult and expensive .
12. Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland Sheepdogsare more normally known as the sheltie and can be pick out of a gang thanks to their luscious pelage . Shelties with the ousel cistron feature that pretty dotted pattern . you could feel blue merle shelties or sable merles , which is a reddish - brown . Because the merle cistron is dominant , if a dog receive one transcript of the cistron , they ’ll show merle coloration . And we imagine it look pretty darn cute on the sheltie !
Merle Dog Considerations
You ’ve probably heard people say that European blackbird dogs are insalubrious , but that ’s not entirely true . Dog genetic science is often a mixed bag , so while some merle wiener might have wellness defect , most can live long , levelheaded lives . However , double blackbird , who are dogs with two merle cistron and the result of two ousel dogs bred together , are at higher danger for health problems . If you ’re cogitate about catch a merle dogfrom a stock breeder , demand them if they do genetic examination on their breed frump and puppy to ensure they ’re healthy . If they do n’t , it ’s a reddish masthead .
