{"id":9440,"date":"2022-03-25T06:41:54","date_gmt":"2022-03-25T06:41:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/"},"modified":"2022-03-25T06:41:54","modified_gmt":"2022-03-25T06:41:54","slug":"do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Do merle dogs have eye problems?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#Do_merle_dogs_have_eye_problems\" title=\"Do merle dogs have eye problems?\">Do merle dogs have eye problems?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#What_is_a_marbled_eye_in_dogs\" title=\"What is a marbled eye in dogs?\">What is a marbled eye in dogs?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#What_does_merle_mean_in_dogs\" title=\"What does merle mean in dogs?\">What does merle mean in dogs?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#Why_are_merle_dogs_blind\" title=\"Why are merle dogs blind?\">Why are merle dogs blind?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#Do_merle_dogs_go_blind\" title=\"Do merle dogs go blind?\">Do merle dogs go blind?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#What_problems_do_merle_dogs_have\" title=\"What problems do merle dogs have?\">What problems do merle dogs have?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#Do_merle_dogs_have_health_problems\" title=\"Do merle dogs have health problems?\">Do merle dogs have health problems?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#Why_does_my_dogs_eye_look_like_a_marble\" title=\"Why does my dogs eye look like a marble?\">Why does my dogs eye look like a marble?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#How_do_I_know_if_my_dog_is_a_double_merle\" title=\"How do I know if my dog is a double merle?\">How do I know if my dog is a double merle?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#What_is_the_rarest_eye_color_for_dogs\" title=\"What is the rarest eye color for dogs?\">What is the rarest eye color for dogs?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#Why_are_merle_dogs_more_expensive\" title=\"Why are merle dogs more expensive?\">Why are merle dogs more expensive?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#How_does_a_dog_become_merle\" title=\"How does a dog become merle?\">How does a dog become merle?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#What_is_merle_colour\" title=\"What is merle colour?\">What is merle colour?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#Do_Blue_merle_dogs_have_health_problems\" title=\"Do Blue merle dogs have health problems?\">Do Blue merle dogs have health problems?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#Why_are_double_merle_dogs_deaf\" title=\"Why are double merle dogs deaf?\">Why are double merle dogs deaf?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#Are_merle_dogs_healthy\" title=\"Are merle dogs healthy?\">Are merle dogs healthy?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#Do_merle_dogs_have_health_issues\" title=\"Do merle dogs have health issues?\">Do merle dogs have health issues?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#Are_merle_Aussies_healthy\" title=\"Are merle Aussies healthy?\">Are merle Aussies healthy?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#Are_merle_dogs_less_healthy\" title=\"Are merle dogs less healthy?\">Are merle dogs less healthy?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#Do_merle_dogs_have_more_health_problems\" title=\"Do merle dogs have more health problems?\">Do merle dogs have more health problems?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#Why_does_my_dogs_eye_look_weird\" title=\"Why does my dog&#8217;s eye look weird?\">Why does my dog&#8217;s eye look weird?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#What_are_the_signs_of_a_dog_going_blind\" title=\"What are the signs of a dog going blind?\">What are the signs of a dog going blind?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#What_causes_a_ring_around_a_dogs_eye\" title=\"What causes a ring around a dog&#8217;s eye?\">What causes a ring around a dog&#8217;s eye?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#What_does_glaucoma_look_like_in_dogs\" title=\"What does glaucoma look like in dogs?\">What does glaucoma look like in dogs?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-merle-dogs-have-eye-problems\/#Can_you_test_for_double_merle\" title=\"Can you test for double merle?\">Can you test for double merle?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_merle_dogs_have_eye_problems\"><\/span>Do merle dogs have eye problems?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The most severe abnormalities occur in homozygous merles with an excessive white hair coat involving the head region. There are other, more serious ocular problems associated with the Merle gene. <b>Microphthalmia is a congenital defect characterized by a small eye. Severely affected dogs may be blind at birth.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_marbled_eye_in_dogs\"><\/span>What is a marbled eye in dogs?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Marbling and Flecking. When a dog&#8217;s iris contains two or more colors, the medical term is <b>heterochromia iridis. If the irises of his eyes are different from each other (one blue\/one brown, etc) the term is heterochromia irides. Common terms for multicolored irises are split eyes and marbled eyes.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_merle_mean_in_dogs\"><\/span>What does merle mean in dogs?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>1 : a coat color pattern of some dogs (such as the border collie, dachshund, and Great Dane) that consists of a typically bluish- or reddish-gray mixed with splotches of black or reddish- brown and that occurs as a result of the lightening or dilution of the normal base coat color so that only dark patches of normal<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_are_merle_dogs_blind\"><\/span>Why are merle dogs blind?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In a double merle, the marbling\/lightening effect is doubled and the coat becomes predominantly white. Double merles also have a very high chance of being deaf, blind, or both because <b>they lack pigment where it would normally be. The pups that do not inherit the gene twice are normal dogs.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_merle_dogs_go_blind\"><\/span>Do merle dogs go blind?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>On the most severe end, the Merle gene anomaly can cause blindness. The front or back of your dog&#8217;s eye can be impacted; though the condition can impact both parts. Merle Ocular Dysgenesis is the name used when the entire eye is impacted.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_problems_do_merle_dogs_have\"><\/span>What problems do merle dogs have?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In a double merle, the marbling\/lightening effect is doubled and the coat becomes predominantly white. Double merles also have a very high chance of being deaf, blind, or both because <b>they lack pigment where it would normally be. The pups that do not inherit the gene twice are normal dogs.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_merle_dogs_have_health_problems\"><\/span>Do merle dogs have health problems?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When inherited in the homozygous state, the merle mutation causes dogs to be white and have an even greater incidence of <b>deafness, blindness and sterility. The auditory and ophthalmologic abnormalities linked to merle are similar to those observed for the human auditory-pigmentation disorder Waardenburg syndrome.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_my_dogs_eye_look_like_a_marble\"><\/span>Why does my dogs eye look like a marble?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Dogs develop <b>cataracts just like people do. These white, milky changes to your dog&#8217;s lens are the result of abnormal lens metabolism.  These cataracts can occur when the dogs are puppies or as they age, depending on the type of inherited cataracts, and they usually occur in both eyes.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_know_if_my_dog_is_a_double_merle\"><\/span>How do I know if my dog is a double merle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>On the most severe end, the Merle gene anomaly can cause blindness. The front or back of your dog&#8217;s eye can be impacted; though the condition can impact both parts. Merle Ocular Dysgenesis is the name used when the entire eye is impacted.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_rarest_eye_color_for_dogs\"><\/span>What is the rarest eye color for dogs?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Dogs with the double merle gene may be\/have:<\/b><\/p>\n<li>All white in color, or have patches of merle\/mottled coloring on the top half of their body  their head, back, and base of the tail.<\/li>\n<li>Light-colored paw pads.<\/li>\n<li>Have light blue, green or brown eyes, perhaps even eyes that are different colors.<\/li>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_are_merle_dogs_more_expensive\"><\/span>Why are merle dogs more expensive?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>The merle gene is known to cause a number of health problems, mostly deafness and blindness, and also sun sensitivity and higher rates of skin cancer. These problems are unusual in heterozygous merles (Mm) but more common in homozygous merles (MM).<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_does_a_dog_become_merle\"><\/span>How does a dog become merle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Why are merle dogs so expensive? In a nutshell, merle dogs are expensive because <b>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.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_merle_colour\"><\/span>What is merle colour?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The merle pattern is produced <b>when a dog has a single copy of the Mx26lt; allele. All merle dogs have the genotype Mm  meaning they have one allele for merle and one allele for non-merle. All non-merles are mm.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_Blue_merle_dogs_have_health_problems\"><\/span>Do Blue merle dogs have health problems?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The most severe abnormalities occur in homozygous merles with an excessive white hair coat involving the head region. There are other, more serious ocular problems associated with the Merle gene. <b>Microphthalmia is a congenital defect characterized by a small eye. Severely affected dogs may be blind at birth.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_are_double_merle_dogs_deaf\"><\/span>Why are double merle dogs deaf?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When inherited in the homozygous state, the merle mutation causes dogs to be white and have an even greater incidence of <b>deafness, blindness and sterility. The auditory and ophthalmologic abnormalities linked to merle are similar to those observed for the human auditory-pigmentation disorder Waardenburg syndrome.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_merle_dogs_healthy\"><\/span>Are merle dogs healthy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The most severe abnormalities occur in homozygous merles with an excessive white hair coat involving the head region. There are other, more serious ocular problems associated with the Merle gene. <b>Microphthalmia is a congenital defect characterized by a small eye. Severely affected dogs may be blind at birth.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_merle_dogs_have_health_issues\"><\/span>Do merle dogs have health issues?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Yes  merle dogs can be just as healthy as dogs that have a solid color. They have the same life expectancy, they are just as strong and athletic and smart as their counterparts without the merle gene. In lines with responsible merle breedings, all offspring will be healthy and live a long life.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_merle_Aussies_healthy\"><\/span>Are merle Aussies healthy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The blue merle Australian Shepherd can be predisposed to congenital deafness. However, this is not the only health issue you should consider when thinking of making a blue merle Australian Shepherd your new pet. With a life span of approximately 12 to 16 years, blue merle Australian Shepherd dogs are <b>primarily healthy<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_merle_dogs_less_healthy\"><\/span>Are merle dogs less healthy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Yes  <b>merle dogs can be just as healthy as dogs that have a solid color. They have the same life expectancy, they are just as strong and athletic and smart as their counterparts without the merle gene. In lines with responsible merle breedings, all offspring will be healthy and live a long life.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_merle_dogs_have_more_health_problems\"><\/span>Do merle dogs have more health problems?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Health issues are more typical and more severe when two merles are bred together, so it is recommended that a merle be bred with a non-merle dog of any other color.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_my_dogs_eye_look_weird\"><\/span>Why does my dog&#8217;s eye look weird?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>It is common with many eye diseases, including allergy, infection, corneal ulcer, chronic dry eye, and glaucoma. It can also be associated with painful eyelid afflictions, such as entropion, tumors, and skin infections. Take your dog to the vet if you see them squinting.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_signs_of_a_dog_going_blind\"><\/span>What are the signs of a dog going blind?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Some common signs of a dog going blind may include:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cloudy eyes.<\/li>\n<li>White spots on the eyes.<\/li>\n<li>Bumping into things.<\/li>\n<li>Hesitation when navigating obstacles such as stairs or when in new places.<\/li>\n<li>Anxiety when in new environments.<\/li>\n<li>Avoidance of stairs.<\/li>\n<li>No longer jumping on\/off furniture.<\/li>\n<li>Redness and swelling on or around the eyes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_causes_a_ring_around_a_dogs_eye\"><\/span>What causes a ring around a dog&#8217;s eye?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This condition in dogs can be caused by a number of issues including: allergies, irritation from foreign bodies, viral infections, tumors in the eye region, breed specific conditions such as nodular episcleritis in Collies, tear film deficiency, abnormalities of the eye, obstructed tear ducts, parasitic infections,<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_glaucoma_look_like_in_dogs\"><\/span>What does glaucoma look like in dogs?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Bulging of the eyeball (whites of eye turn red)<\/b><b>Cloudy, bluish appearance to eye. <\/b><b>Dilated pupil  or pupil does not respond to light<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_test_for_double_merle\"><\/span>Can you test for double merle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Genetic testing is recommended to prevent the breeding of two merle dogs and the production of double merle puppies.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Do merle dogs have eye problems?What is a marbled eye in dogs?What does merle mean in dogs?Why are merle dogs blind?Do merle dogs go blind?What problems do merle dogs have?Do merle dogs have health problems?Why does my dogs eye look like a marble?How do I know if my dog is a double&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9440"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9440"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9440\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9440"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9440"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9440"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}