StillandSilent
06-26-2006, 11:37 AM
Ok. Our shelter just took in 2 purebred Aussie puppies. (At least is was claimed they are purebred.). Both of them are white with blue eyes and a little bit of black shading on the ears. Both of them are deaf. The person who surrendered them to animal control shrugged and said it was because the mother was a double merle and that led to some birth defects in the pups, including a blind puppy and these two.
As I understand it, a double merle comes from breeding a merle dog to a merle dog. But why does this result is birth defects? Is it similar to many white animals with blue eyes having defects, or is it something else entirely. I have looked it up on the web, but the sites I found were extremely technical and I have zero breeding experience. I am very confused and I know there are many responsible breeders here who can explain in simple terms for a layman
As I understand it, a double merle comes from breeding a merle dog to a merle dog. But why does this result is birth defects? Is it similar to many white animals with blue eyes having defects, or is it something else entirely. I have looked it up on the web, but the sites I found were extremely technical and I have zero breeding experience. I am very confused and I know there are many responsible breeders here who can explain in simple terms for a layman