A high percentage of double Merle puppies have vision or hearing deficiencies.Ī cryptic or phantom Merle is a dog which phenotypically appears to be a non-merle or very faint patches of Merle that can go unnoticed. If two (Mm) dogs are mated, there on average 25% of the puppies will be (MM) homozygous or “double merles”, which is the common term for dogs that are homozygous for Merle. Merle is actually a heterozygote of an incompletely dominant gene. Genetics:Ī mobile genetic unit called a Retrotransposon insertion in premelanosome protein (PMEL17) or silver locus protein homolog (SILV) is responsible for Merle patterning in a number of domestic dog breeds. Color on paw pads and nose may be mottled pink and black. Since Merle causes random modifications, both dark-eyed, blue-eyed, and odd-colored eyes are possible. The Merle gene modifies the dark pigment in the eyes, occasionally changing dark eyes to blue, or part of the eye to be colored blue. In addition to altering base coat color, Merle also modifies eye color and coloring on the nose and paw pads. Combinations such as brindle Merle exist, but are not typically accepted in breed standards. Recessive red dogs can also be affected by Merle, but the patches are either hardly seen or if the dog is a clear recessive red, are not visible at all. Many solid dogs are actually cryptic or phantom merles and can produce both Merle and double merles. Chances of having puppies with health issues is more typical when two Merles are bred together, so it is recommended that a Merle dog only be bred to a non Merle, non cryptic Merle dog. Animals that are “double Merle” a common term used for dogs that are homozygous for Merle (MM) are predominantly white and prone to several health issues. The Merle gene creates mottled patches of color in a solid or piebald coat, blue or odd-colored eyes, and can affect skin pigment as well. The phenotype is inherited as an autosomal, incompletely dominant trait. Description: Merle is a coat pattern found in Australian Shepherds and a number of other dog breeds.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |