What makes an Aussie a Blue Merle?

The breed standards state that Australian Shepherds can come in some combination of two basic body colors (black and liver), one pattern (merle), and two trim colors (white and tan.) A blue merle is a black dog with the merle pattern; a red merle is a liver dog with the merle pattern. …

What makes a dog a Blue Merle?

Merle is a genetic pattern that can be in a dog’s coat. 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. There are two general types of colored patches that will appear in a merle coat: liver (red merle) and black (blue merle).

Are Blue Merle Aussies rare?

Although beautiful in their own right, the Blue Merle and Tan Australian Shepherd is not very common. These dogs come in a splendid blue merle (black patches on gray fur) with only tan/copper markings.

How much is a Blue Merle Australian Shepherd worth?

The average price of the Australian Shepherd ranges from $650 to $850. However, an Aussie can cost anywhere between $300 to $1,800+ USD depending on breeder reputation, coat colors, pedigree and location.

Can you breed 2 blue merle Australian Shepherds?

If you don’t want to produce homozygous merles in your litters, it’s easy to avoid doing so: Don’t breed two merles together.

What does a blue merle look like?

Some blue merle dogs will have a mostly gray-blue coat with a few small, black patches. The most common merle pattern and the one described in most breed standards is a coat that is approximately 50 percent merle, or gray-blue, and 50 percent black patches.

What is blue merle color?

A blue merle is a black dog whose coloring has been genetically diluted. Parts of his black coat remain intact, while other parts take on a bluish-grey color. Patches of solid color are normally irregular in shape and are located anywhere on the dog’s body.

Can you breed 2 Blue Merle Australian Shepherds?

Why are merle dogs more expensive?

Why are merle dogs so expensive? In a nutshell, merle dogs are expensive because puppy buyers are willing to pay a lot of money for them. The pattern is very sought-after, and the more demand there is, the higher breeders can set their prices. In addition, merle breedings can be quite rare in some breeds.

How big does a Blue Merle Australian Shepherd get?

Blue merle Australian Shepherds may have stunning blue eyes, brown eyes, amber eyes, or even one eye that is blue and one eye that is brown. This dog stands between 18 and 23 inches tall and can weigh around 40 to 65 pounds.

What is the difference between merle and Tri?

Red merle makes up this base coat for this color combination. They have red spots on top of an buff (a light orange-brown) to silver base color. The tri colored version has white markings found on the face, chest, legs and belly. They also have copper highlights usually seen on the face and legs only.

What breed of dog is blue merle?

Blue Breeds. Not every breed will exhibit merle coloring. The gene is present in the Australian shepherd, border collie, old English sheepdog, mudi, cardigan Welsh corgi, rough and smooth coated collie, Shetland sheepdog, Pyrenean shepherd, dunker and Catahoula leopard dog.

Are miniature Australian Shepherds a real breed?

The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a fairly new breed . Believe it or not, this breed was actually developed in 1968. Back then, Doris Cordova of Norco, California began a breeding program with the dream of developing a smaller version of the Australian Shepherd.

What are Australian Shepherd puppies like?

Aussies are confident and lively; they are known to behave like puppies. The Australian Shepherd is intelligent and eager to learn. It is relaxed, loyal, and devoted, bonding closely with family, even to the point of developing separation anxiety. Aussies are confident and lively; they are known to behave like puppies.

What is the standard size of an Australian Shepherd?

Australian Shepherds can vary quite a bit in size, weighing between 35 and 75 pounds (16 to 34 kilograms), and standing between 18 and 23 inches in height (43 to 58 centimeters).