Blue Merle Aussiedoodle Guide (Blue Merle vs Red Merle)

Blue Merle Aussiedoodles (AKA Merle Aussiepoos) feature a trending coat color that has escalated in popularity in the past few years. It is no surprise that their beautiful patterned coat paired with their friendly and playful nature has made them highly sought after! Nevertheless, prospective owners need to be aware of poor breeding practices, specifically ‘merle-to-merle’ breeding that causes severe health issues.

If you are interested in Merle Aussiedoodles keep reading this article to find out the all the answers to your burning questions about this dog breed!

Table of Contents

What Is A Merle Aussiedoodle?

A Merle Aussiedoodle has a rare coat pattern which features mottled patches of various colors depending on whether they are a blue or red merle. Merle is a genetic pattern of an Aussiedoodle’s coat that dilutes random sections of the coat to a lighter color whilst leaving patches of their original coat color remaining. It may also affects eye color and skin pigmentation on the nose and paws. Merle coats occurs when an Aussiedoodle carries the “M” Merle allele and a negative “m” copy of the Merle allele. A Merle Aussiedoodle is (M/m).

Despite the captivating look of a Merle Aussiedoodle, prospective Merle Aussiedoodles owners need to be aware that they are often a result of poor breeding practices and they are likely to suffer from ocular and auditory defects. That is not to say that all Merle Aussiedoodles are the result of poor breeding practices or that they will have these health issues but there is a higher risk than an ordinary Aussiedoodle.

blue merle aussiedoodle — Blue Merle Aussiedoodle via @zola_the_aussiedoodle_

What Makes A Merle Aussiedoodle?

The merle gene is naturally present in Australian Shepherds so it is quite easy to breed a Merle Aussiedoodle. Merle Aussiedoodles are created by breeding either a Blue Merle or Red Merle Australian Shepherd with a Poodle that does not carry the merle gene. Breeders cannot cross a Merle Australian Shepherd with a Merle Poodle otherwise they’ll created a Double Merle Aussiedoodle.

It is problematic when two Aussiedoodles that are carriers of the merle gene (M/m) are bred together as there is a 25% chance for each puppy born to be homozygous (M/M) for the merle trait. (M/M) carriers are also known as Double Merles and they suffer from severe health issues such as blindness and deafness. They also usually have little to no color in their coats and are totally white.

Are Merle Aussiedoodles Healthy?

When bred reponsibly, Merle Aussiedoodles are just as healthy as Aussiedoodles that have a solid color. Health problems occur with “merle-to-merle” breeding which creates Double Merle Aussiedoodles. These dogs are at a high risk of suffering from severe ocular and auditory defects.

Do Merle Aussiedoodles Fade?

Aussiedoodles may fade if they have inherited the ‘fading gene’ from the Poodle. Solid Aussiedoodles fade much more often than merle Aussiedoodles. Merle Aussiedoodles already have a very light colored coat so they won’t lighten much more. If they do fade, it will occur within the first two years of their lives.

Blue Merle Aussiedoodle

Blue Merle Aussiedoodles feature a blue, grey, white and tan coat in a distinct mottled pattern. Usually most of their coat is grey and blue with white and tan patches throughout it. In most cases they have jet black noses and dark brown or hazel eyes however they can sometimes have blue eyes. These Aussiedoodles would have originally had a solid black coat but the merle gene diluted it into this pattern.

Blue Merle Aussiedoodle Price

Blue Merle Aussiedoodles sell for prices between $3000USD and $3900USD. While it is a super common coat color, they are quite expensive because breeders have to be extra careful with tracking their lineage to ensure they don’t breed double merles.

Blue Merle Aussiedoodle Lifespan

Responsibly bred Blue Merle Aussiedoodles have the same life expectancy as any other solid coated Aussiedoodle. They have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.

Blue Merle Aussiedoodle Size

The size of a Blue Merle Aussiedoodle depends upon whether the Australian Shepherd was bred with a Toy, Miniature or Standard Poodle.

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A Standard Blue Merle Aussiedoodle gets to a height of 15 to 25 inches (25.4cm to 38.1cm) at the shoulder. They weigh between 45 and 70 pounds (20.4kg to 31.8kg).
A Mini Blue Merle Aussiedoodle gets to a height of 10 to 15 inches (25.4cm to 38.1cm) at the shoulder and weighs between 15 and 45 pounds (6.8kg to 20.4kg).
A Toy Blue Merle Aussiedoodle reaches a height of 10 inches or less (under 25.4cm) at the shoulder and weighs between 10 and 15 pounds (4.5kg to 6.8kg).

Blue Merle Aussiedoodle Names

Speckles
Stormi
Comet
Sonic
Freckles

Marble
Bolt
Dusty
Merle
Bambi

Red Merle Aussiedoodle

Red Merle Aussiedoodles feature a chocolate, copper, beige and white coat in a mottled pattern. Most of their coat is a beige-grey and they feature red, white and copper patches throughout it. Red Merle Aussiedoodles have light or dark brown noses. In most cases they have light brown eyes however they can sometimes have blue or greenish eyes. They would have originally had a solid liver or brown coat but the merle gene diluted it into this pattern.

Red Merle Aussiedoodle Price

Red Merle Aussiedoodles sell for prices between $3000USD and $3900USD. They are much rarer than Blue Merle Aussiedoodles and are often a bit more expensive than them.

Red Merle Aussiedoodle Lifespan

Responsibly bred Red Merle Aussiedoodles have the same life expectancy as any other solid coated Aussiedoodle which is 12 to 15 years.

Red Merle Aussiedoodle Size

The size of a Red Merle Aussiedoodle depends upon whether the Australian Shepherd was bred with a Toy, Miniature or Standard Poodle.

A Standard Red Merle Aussiedoodle gets to a height of 15 to 25 inches (25.4cm to 38.1cm) at the shoulder. They weigh between 45 and 70 pounds (20.4kg to 31.8kg).
A Mini Red Merle Aussiedoodle gets to a height of 10 to 15 inches (25.4cm to 38.1cm) at the shoulder and weighs between 15 and 45 pounds (6.8kg to 20.4kg).
A Toy Red Merle Aussiedoodle reaches a height of 10 inches or less (under 25.4cm) at the shoulder and weighs between 10 and 15 pounds (4.5kg to 6.8kg).