The merle cocker spaniel is a type of breed of cocker spaniel with blue eyes. Although the gene for this coloration can be inherited in all dogs it is not always present in all dogs. In addition, there is a possibility that it can be turned on or off by mutation. Here are some characteristics of merles and how they are detected. The breed was created in America by Dr. Rusty Butch in the early 1800s.
Although merle cockers are rare, the AKC is ignoring the problem. According to the ASC Minutes, the ideal goal is to eradicate the merle gene. However, this is impossible since merles have been bred over 20 years, and many show lines are in Merle pedigrees. If you are interested in owning an AKC merle cocker spaniel you should join.
According to the AKC rules, owners must register a dog if it closely matches its color. However, some breeders fail to add merle as an acceptable marking for registration. While merle Cockers are recognized as duly registered members of the breed, this color is a rarity in the Cocker Spaniel. Breeders that produce merle dogs often sell them as purebred cockers, but they are not registered with the AKC.
The merle color of a Cocker is different from the underlying breed color. There is no scientific evidence that Merle gene was introduced through breeding, unlike in many other breeds. Although some issues may arise, they are most common in infancy. Others occur at birth. There are also some cases where the pups are born with deafness, blindness, or blindness.
Despite its distinctive appearance, the merle gene can also cause health problems, especially in puppies. Puppies with double merles may be blind or deaf, or have abnormal ear development. In rare cases, the merle puppy may have pink eyes or nose. Avoid merle puppies. Merle dogs can also have eye and ear problems.
It is crucial to be a responsible breeder by understanding merle genetics, reading pedigrees and understanding breeding safety. These dogs are wonderful companions, but you must be careful about breeding them. A merle should not be bred for profit. It is a costly and emotional error. If you don’t know the breed, it is not necessary to breed a Merle Cocker.
The AKC has not listed the merle pattern, but that has not stopped some breeders from raising merle cockers. In fact, many breeders refuse to discuss the merle gene, claiming that owners are using it to falsely register their dogs. Other breeders are now learning more about the merle genetic and deciding how they should proceed. AKC is now implementing a new program to ensure the integrity of the breed and to protect the public from any harm.