S
I've been doing some research on chihuahuas. I am getting more and more into the breed. After owning one pure bred and one crossbreed chi, as well as being around plenty well behaved chihuahuas, I am in love.
I've read the breed standard more than once. It states that ALL colors are allowed. I have seen merle dogs and merles being shown. As far as I know, merle is accepted by the AKC.
Merle is fairly new to this breed. It showed up in the last 15 years. Some believe that chis have been outcrossed with another breed to achieve this new color. Merle is even starting to pop up in other breeds such as cockers and poodles.
Some countries have actually banned this color due to health reasons. There has been a problem with breeders accidentally breeding a hidden merle to a merle. What a genetic disaster. The resulting puppies are sometimes born deaf, blind, or worse. Interestingly enough, breeding a merle to a non-merle can also produce puppies that are deaf or blind.
Something I thought was interesting is that merle chihuahuas usually grow bigger than non-merle chihuahuas. Sometimes MUCH larger.
God knows I am not a merle expert, but from what I've heard about this color pattern in chihuahuas, is not good. For anyone who is interested....
Link...
http://www.pedigreedogs.co.uk/k9bytes/merle.htm
Link...
http://www.picassochis.com/Picasso.htm
A breeders experience...
http://www.kandeechihuahuas.com/merles/ftlowille.html
I've read the breed standard more than once. It states that ALL colors are allowed. I have seen merle dogs and merles being shown. As far as I know, merle is accepted by the AKC.
Merle is fairly new to this breed. It showed up in the last 15 years. Some believe that chis have been outcrossed with another breed to achieve this new color. Merle is even starting to pop up in other breeds such as cockers and poodles.
Some countries have actually banned this color due to health reasons. There has been a problem with breeders accidentally breeding a hidden merle to a merle. What a genetic disaster. The resulting puppies are sometimes born deaf, blind, or worse. Interestingly enough, breeding a merle to a non-merle can also produce puppies that are deaf or blind.
Something I thought was interesting is that merle chihuahuas usually grow bigger than non-merle chihuahuas. Sometimes MUCH larger.
God knows I am not a merle expert, but from what I've heard about this color pattern in chihuahuas, is not good. For anyone who is interested....
Link...
http://www.pedigreedogs.co.uk/k9bytes/merle.htm
Link...
http://www.picassochis.com/Picasso.htm
A breeders experience...
http://www.kandeechihuahuas.com/merles/ftlowille.html