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Oh boy, what a bummer! Merle is a birth defect that affects many breeds of dogs, and it can be heartbreaking for pet owners. It’s caused by a mutation in the gene that controls coat color, resulting in patches of missing fur and sometimes even vision or hearing loss. Fortunately, there are ways to manage the condition and help your pup live a happy life. With proper care and attention, you can make sure your furry friend stays healthy and comfortable despite their merle birth defect.
Is Merle A Birth Defect? [Solved]
Well, Merle’s got a gene that’s not quite dominant. So if two Merles mate, about a quarter of their pups will be double Merles. That’s what they call it when both parents have the same gene. And unfortunately, a lot of these double Merles could have eye or hearing problems. Ain’t that a bummer?
Merle Coat Pattern: This is a coat pattern that is characterized by irregular patches of color on the dog’s fur, usually in shades of gray, black, or tan.
Mutation: Merle is caused by a mutation in the MC1R gene which affects the production of melanin pigment in the skin and hair.
Health Risks: Dogs with this coat pattern are at an increased risk for certain health problems such as deafness, blindness, and eye defects due to lack of pigment in certain areas.
Breeds Affected: Merle can be found in many breeds including Australian Shepherds, Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, Dachshunds and Chihuahuas among others.
Inheritance: The merle gene is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait meaning that only one copy of the gene needs to be present for it to be expressed in the dog’s phenotype (appearance).
Merle birth defect is a genetic mutation that affects certain breeds of dogs. It can cause patches of color on the fur, as well as eye and ear problems. Basically, it’s like a genetic lottery - some dogs get it, some don’t. It’s important to be aware of this if you’re thinking about getting a pup with merle coloring, ‘cause it could mean extra vet visits down the road. So do your research and make sure you know what you’re getting into!
