Jump to content

Different expressions of the Merle gene


DogsAndTheMob
 Share

Recommended Posts

Interesting article.  I think the last paragraph is the most important :

 

Although merle is one of the more popular coat patterns of dogs, it is not without controversy. Merle-to-merle matings can result in double merle (MM) offspring that have ocular (including blindness and microphthalmia) and auditory defects; this is possible even for merle-to-cryptic merle matings. We hope this work will raise awareness among breeders that there are merle varieties that do not fit the standard phenotypic description and that this knowledge will prevent undesirable matings and mischaracterizations.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, sandgrubber said:

Interesting article.  I think the last paragraph is the most important :

 

Although merle is one of the more popular coat patterns of dogs, it is not without controversy. Merle-to-merle matings can result in double merle (MM) offspring that have ocular (including blindness and microphthalmia) and auditory defects; this is possible even for merle-to-cryptic merle matings. We hope this work will raise awareness among breeders that there are merle varieties that do not fit the standard phenotypic description and that this knowledge will prevent undesirable matings and mischaracterizations.

Definitely. I have no wish to own a Merle dog but I find the science of coat colour very interesting. I’d heard of cryptic Merle’s but the one “cryptic Merle” I’ve seen was actually much more like the M81m (M32) dog, but with Irish spotting superimposed. I

 

I think (hope!) most ANKC breeders are aware of the risks of Merle-to-Merle breeding. I’ve never seen an obviously double-Merle purebred dog. I’ve seen a few farm-style short-coated collies or koolies with markings that made me wonder, and I’ve also seen an almost-certain double Merle “pig-dog” type dog on the back of a truck; it had one micropthalmic eye.

 

i also wonder if any dilute Merle collie rough puppies  have been misdiagnosed as having cyclic neutropenia.

Edited by DogsAndTheMob
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...