Proper nutrition is essential for the health and well-being of your Blue Merle Border Collie. Providing a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs is crucial. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate type and amount of food for your dog based on factors such as age, activity level, and overall health.
When two merle-patterned dogs are bred together, each puppy in the litter has a 25% chance of inheriting that gene from both parents. The resulting offspring is referred to as a double, or homozygous merle. Double merles often have a predominantly white coat. Keep in mind though, that just because a dog has a white coat, doesn't necessarilyBorder Collie breed history. The Border Collie was developed from sheepdogs on the border of England and Scotland — hence the name (the word ‘collie’, which refers to sheepdogs, is Scottish). 1. The breed was originally developed to help guard and herd sheep and over the years, it has upheld its reputation as a highly intelligent working dog.This border collie has the merle or double merle gene When any dog with the merle gene has puppies, this merle gene can be passed on to all, some, or none of its puppies. But when a female dog and a male dog that both have the merle gene have puppies together, one-quarter of their puppies (1 out of every 4) will be what is called ‘double
On average a Border collie is expected to have a lifespan of 12 to 18 years. They typically live from 10 – 17 years, sometimes more. Most health issues with Border Collies are genetic. That’s why it’s best to check the dog’s parental history. Reputed dog Breeders keep thorough documentation on their dogs’ health and parentage.
This introduction of the gene may have been done by crossing. The merle gene probably came from the dog being crossed with a Poodle. To create this ‘designer merle Poodle’ several generations must have been bred. Dogs who naturally have the merle gene include: Australian Shepherd; Catahoula Leopard Dog; Norwegian Dunker; Border CollieWhat Health Concerns are Associated With a Merle Coat? The merle pattern can lead to a slew of health problems. The most common is hearing loss in one or both ears.
This applies to all types of merle (blue, red or sable). The merle gene that produces this colouration is technically defective, and as a result, there are concerns that a dog with a merle coat may be more prone to certain health issues. Including a range of eye problems, potential hearing problems and possibly other health complications.
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