At Brevard Doodles we find the Merle pattern to be one of the most beautiful and fascinating colors in doodles. Since our main focus is always on health and temperament and there is some controversy surrounding the Merle gene we want to ensure our customers fully understand the Merle gene in doodles and can trust that we remain focused on providing quality healthy doodles.
First, there is a debate as to whether the Merle gene is a natural mutation in poodles or if the gene was introduced by breeding with another breed several generations earlier. Despite this debate neither side can prove their opinion and thus it remains an opinion. Our opinion at Brevard doodles is since the Merle gene is a natural mutation in other breeds it is reasonable to assume that this is true of poodles as well.
Second, the Merle gene is a coat pattern and not a color. The gene works by diluting random sections of a dog’s coat to a lighter color. You will typically see blue and red Merles and each dog will have their own unique pattern and no two Merles will look alike.
Third, special care must be taken with this coat pattern when breeding. 2 dogs with the Merle gene should NEVER be bred together as this will result in a “double Merle” puppy which often comes with health issues including deafness and blindness. A Merle with only 1 Merle gene, for example a Merle poodle bred with a pure golden retriever, will have the exotic merle color without the risk of health issues associated with the “double Merle”. You can see an example of healthy single merles in the Merle Australian Shepherds.
At Brevard doodles we pride ourselves in responsible breeding. We are careful to breed a Merle only with a non- Merle. This ensures that we are able to preserve the beautiful Merle pattern in healthy Golden doodles.
First, there is a debate as to whether the Merle gene is a natural mutation in poodles or if the gene was introduced by breeding with another breed several generations earlier. Despite this debate neither side can prove their opinion and thus it remains an opinion. Our opinion at Brevard doodles is since the Merle gene is a natural mutation in other breeds it is reasonable to assume that this is true of poodles as well.
Second, the Merle gene is a coat pattern and not a color. The gene works by diluting random sections of a dog’s coat to a lighter color. You will typically see blue and red Merles and each dog will have their own unique pattern and no two Merles will look alike.
Third, special care must be taken with this coat pattern when breeding. 2 dogs with the Merle gene should NEVER be bred together as this will result in a “double Merle” puppy which often comes with health issues including deafness and blindness. A Merle with only 1 Merle gene, for example a Merle poodle bred with a pure golden retriever, will have the exotic merle color without the risk of health issues associated with the “double Merle”. You can see an example of healthy single merles in the Merle Australian Shepherds.
At Brevard doodles we pride ourselves in responsible breeding. We are careful to breed a Merle only with a non- Merle. This ensures that we are able to preserve the beautiful Merle pattern in healthy Golden doodles.
