Merle pomeranians

[DogsAndTheMob]

Let’s take the discussion on Merle Poms out of the lost dog discussion.

 

It seems that the decision to add the Merle colour to the AKC breed standard for Pomeranians was controversial.

https://www.thedogpress.com/ClubNews/Tail-Wags-Dog_Coats-109.asp

 
I don’t think it was a good decision. It is feasible that the gene was present in the breed, masked by the ee phenotype and other pale colours, but that in itself is an argument against approving it. The presence of a gene that is harmful in the homozygous form but can be masked by other coat colours in the heterozygous form is a recipe for problems. In breeds like collies, there is a longtime understanding that breeding Merle to sable is a bad idea. However, sub-setting breeds into separate populations based on colour exacerbates any inbreeding and population size concerns within the breed.

 

Edited February 10 by DogsAndTheMob

[DogsAndTheMob]

https://embarkvet.com/resources/embark-introduces-merle-coat-color-testing/
 

These details on Merle genetics are fascinating. I’ve seen a few genetically Merle border collies that appeared to be black and white, at least at a casual glance. This explains why.

[Mairead]

I was sent a "before and after" dog grooming clip showing a blue merle oodle.

I spent some time explaining about merle and double merle to many of the people who commented "gorgeous colour". A few people thought the colour was known as brindle (particularly by Pitbull people). One person mentioned cryptic merles, and one mentioned that the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA, which is a Pitbull registry) had banned merle. Their website has a sensible policy statement which mentions the disadvantages of merle and [the dangers of] popularity.

There are now merle and lilac French Bulldogs, on that tree named site of course, and specialist rescue groups for deaf and blind dogs, many look like double merles. 

[DogsAndTheMob]

1 hour ago, Mairead said:

I was sent a "before and after" dog grooming clip showing a blue merle oodle.

I spent some time explaining about merle and double merle to many of the people who commented "gorgeous colour". A few people thought the colour was known as brindle (particularly by Pitbull people). One person mentioned cryptic merles, and one mentioned that the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA, which is a Pitbull registry) had banned merle. Their website has a sensible policy statement which mentions the disadvantages of merle and [the dangers of] popularity.

There are now merle and lilac French Bulldogs, on that tree named site of course, and specialist rescue groups for deaf and blind dogs, many look like double merles. 

Some beautiful colours in dogs and other animals may be associated with illness and discomfort. I’m saddened when aesthetic appeal is given priority over the animal’s wellbeing.
 

I occasionally see dogs which look like homozygous Merle koolies, with extreme white colouring and pink eye-rims. They usually look uncomfortable in bright sunlight. I have seen a few with micropthalmia of one eye.

Edited February 11 by DogsAndTheMob

[Mairead]

Even some horse people have gone overboard with what I am tempted to call Disneyfication. Friesians and Gypsy Vanners with manes and tails so long they are in danger of tripping over them. Arabians with grotesquely dished faces. Quarter horses with muscles like Belgian Blue cattle. If there were printed or spoken critiques it would give the judges a chance to say "too much". 

[asal]

On 11/02/2025 at 1:55 PM, Mairead said:

Even some horse people have gone overboard with what I am tempted to call Disneyfication. Friesians and Gypsy Vanners with manes and tails so long they are in danger of tripping over them. Arabians with grotesquely dished faces. Quarter horses with muscles like Belgian Blue cattle. If there were printed or spoken critiques it would give the judges a chance to say "too much". 

Trouble is so many judges put them first, Champion and Supreme. 

 

The reason for example HYPP became so prevalent in QH's

To then flow through to paints and anything x'd to qh

 

Everyone wanted double muscling without a clue of the ramifications 

 

Faceless Persian cats tear ducts are so squashed the can't function

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 01:23 AM by asal

[cannibalgoldfish]

British Shorthairs. They are already breeding them for shorter faces. They are starting to look like early stage (non extreme ) Exotics