Merle Australian Shepherd Guide (Blue, Red, Harlequin, Double)

Merle Australian Shepherds (AKA Merle Aussies) have beautiful coat markings that can come in many colors including blue merle, red merle, double merle, harlequin merle, dilute merle & bi blue merle. In addition to their coats, Merle Australian Shepherds often have striking blue eyes. It’s not surprising at all that these dogs are highly sought after because of their aesthetics! Nevertheless prospective owners need to be aware of the health dangers of the merle gene, especially for double merle Australian Shepherds and the ethics surrounding this coat color.

If you are interested in Merle Australian Shepherds keep reading this article to find out the all the answers to your burning questions about the different coat colors!

Introduction

What Is A Merle Australian Shepherd?

A Merle Australian Shepherd is an Australian Shepherd that carries the merle gene that causes the coat to have mottled patches of colors. The gene also affect skin pigmentation on paws and noses and eye color. The two main types are the Blue Merle Australian Shepherd and Red Merle Australian Shepherd.

Read Also: Red Australian Shepherd Guide: Red Merle, Red Tri & Self Red

What Does A Merle Australian Shepherd Look Like?

Merle Australian Shepherds look like any other Australian Shepherd except for their coat color. Instead of a solid red (liver) or black coat, the merle gene causes mottled patches of color. A Blue Merle originally has a black coat however the merle gene has diluted areas to grey and white while a Red Merle originally has a liver coat where the merle gene has diluted areas to beige and white.

Additionally, Merle Australian Shepherds may have a modified eye color such as blue or green instead of brown. They also may have areas on their paw pads and noses that lack pigmentation where there are pale pink patches.

Are All Australian Shepherds Merle?

No, not all Australian Shepherds are merle. There are also regular solid-coated or tri-color Australian Shepherds. These coat colors include solid black, solid, red, red tri-color and black tri-color. Approximately 40% of all Australian Shepherds are merle.

Read Also: Mini Australian Shepherd Guide: Size, Temperament, Price, Shedding & More

Blue Merle Australian Shepherd

What Is A Blue Merle Australian Shepherd?

A Blue Merle Australian Shepherd (M/m) is an Australian Shepherd that has a black base coat and carries the Merle gene. The Merle gene dilutes sections of the black coat which results in their distinct coloring of grey and white patches. The gene may result in them having blue eyes and areas of their skin to lack pigmentation.

Appearance

What Does A Blue Merle Australian Shepherd Look Like?

A Blue Merle Australian Shepherd looks like any other Australian Shepherd except they have a multicolored black, grey and white coat with mottled patches. A Blue Merle Australian Shepherd has a coat that is predominantly grey and black. They may have white patches around their neck and on their paws. Their coats also may feature tan patches on their legs and face.

Read Also: Black Australian Shepherd Guide: Black Tri, Black Bi & All Black

What Color Is A Blue Merle Australian Shepherd?

A Blue Merle Australian Shepherd has a range of colors in it’s coat including black, grey, tan and white. They were originally a black colored dog however the Merle gene diluted patches of the coat to lighter shades to create the mottled coat.

Blue Merle Australian Shepherd Genetics

What Makes A Blue Merle Australian Shepherd?

A Blue Merle Australian Shepherd is made when they inherit a black base color and they also carry the “M” Merle allele and a negative “m” copy of the Merle allele. The merle gene dilutes random sections of the black coat to lighter colors such as grey and white whilst leaving patches of the original color remaining.

*Pro Tip: If you want to know about the genetics of your dog, take a dog DNA test. One of the best DNA tests on the market today is the Embark Vet Dog DNA Test (Get 10% off Two Kits With Code MULTIPACK2)

Read Also: Red Tri Australian Shepherd Guide – Everything To Know!

How To Get A Blue Merle Australian Shepherd

The responsible way to get a Blue Merle Australian Shepherd is to mate a Blue Merle Australian Shepherd (M/m) with a non-Merle (m/m) Australian Shepherd that has a black coat. Roughly 50% of the litter will be Merles and none will be Double Merles.

A Blue Merle Australian Shepherd should never be bred with another Blue Merle Australian Shepherd as they are likely to produce Double Merles (M/M). These Australian Shepherds carry two copies of the “M” allele are affected by ocular defeats and deafness.

Are Blue Merle Australian Shepherds Rare?

No, Blue Merle Australian Shepherds are not that rare. Most Australian Shepherds are either Blue Merle or Blue Tri-Color. The base coat color of a Blue Merle is black and as it is a dominant gene, it is understandable why the blue variety of Australian Shepherd are so much more common than red ones.

Read Also: Cockapoo Size Guide (Teacup, Toy, Mini & Standard/Maxi)

Images

Blue Merle Australian Shepherd With Tail

Blue Merle Australian Shepherd With Blue Eyes

Blue Merle Australian Shepherd No White

Blue Merle Australian Shepherd Brown Eyes

Read Also: Mini Aussiedoodles (The Ultimate Breed Guide)

Temperament

There are no studies currently showing that the coat color of an Australian Shepherd affects their temperament. Therefore, a Blue Merle Australian Shepherd has the same temperament as any other Australian Shepherd.

Traits	Rating
Ease of Care	🐕🐕🐕
Exercise Requirements	🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕
Friendliness	🐕🐕🐕🐕
Sociability	🐕🐕🐕🐕
Trainability	🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕

Life Expectancy

Blue Merle Australian Shepherds have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. They are considered to be a healthy dog breed and with a proper diet and enough exercise each day you can give them the best chance at living a long life.

In contrast, a Double Blue Merle Australian Shepherd has a shorter life expectancy as they are highly likely to be deaf or blind. Deaf and/or blind Australian Shepherds are more likely to get into fatal accidents such as car crashes from wandering across the road. Double Merles also have more hereditary health issues that reduce their lifespan.

Read Also: Mini Australian Shepherd Guide: Size, Temperament, Shedding, Price & More

Price

How Much Is A Blue Merle Australian Shepherd?

A Blue Merle Australian Shepherd usually costs between $2500USD and $5000USD depending on the breeder. Blue Merles that have been ethically bred are usually more expensive as the breeders give a certificate to prove that they are not Double Merles. They are also quite expensive as it is a beautiful coat coloring which is highly sought after by buyers.

Merle Australian Shepherd Breeders

If you are looking for an Australian Shepherd breeder, consider PuppySpot where you can use our discount code PUPPY300 for $300 dollars off any dog! Check out the adorable Aussie puppies that are currently available here!

PuppySpot is a dog adoption website that connects breeders with prospective pet owners. They have a zero tolerance policy for puppy mills which is why they screen every breeder annually! They have placed over 200,000 puppies in homes and offer various trusted, USDA-certified transportation options to deliver your puppy to your home safely! You won’t regret having a look at their Australian Shepherd puppies here as they are so cute!

Blue Merle Australian Shepherd Name Ideas

• Stormy
• Dusty
• Indigo
• Spot
• Merle
• Skye
• Blu
• Luna
• Bear
• Tasma

Read Also: Australian Shepherd Size Guide (Teacup, Toy, Mini & Standard)

FAQs

Do Blue Merle Australian Shepherds Shed?

Yes, Blue Merle Australian Shepherds shed heavily twice a year during seasonal shedding periods when they lose their undercoat. The heavy shedding lasts for 2 to 3 weeks during spring and autumn. At other times of the year, they shed a moderate amount. Owners should regularly brush their Blue Merle Australians Shepherds to reduce how much fur they shed. An undercoat rake is especially useful during seasonal shedding times as it helps remove the shedding undercoat.

Are Blue Merle Australian Shepherds Hypoallergenic?

No, Blue Merle Australian Shepherds are not hypoallergenic as they produce a moderate amount of dander (dead skin cells) which irritates allergy sufferers. They are moderate to heavy shedders depending on the time of year which is why they drop lots of dander throughout the year.

If you are looking for a similar, hypoallergenic dog breed, I suggest checking out the Aussiedoodle as poodle has been mixed with the Australian Shepherd breed.

Red Merle Australian Shepherd

What Is A Red Merle Australian Shepherd?

A Red Merle Australian Shepherd is an Australian Shepherd that has a red (also known as liver) base coat and carries the Merle gene. The Merle gene dilutes sections of the red coat which results in copper, beige and white patches. The gene may result in them having blue eyes and areas of their skin that lacks pigmentation.

Appearance

What Does A Red Merle Australian Shepherd Look Like?

A Red Merle Australian Shepherd has the same build as any other Australian Shepherd except they have a mottled coat with red, copper, beige and white patches. Red Merles are predominantly beige with reddish brown patches. They have copper patches on their legs and face. They also usually have white patches on their paws on on their chest and neck.

Read Also: When Is A Mini Aussie Full Grown? (Size & Age Fully Grown)

Genetics

How To Get A Red Merle Australian Shepherd

The responsible way to get a Red Merle Australian Shepherd is to mate a Red Merle Australian Shepherd (M/m) with a non-Merle (m/m) Australian Shepherd that has a red (liver) coat. Roughly 50% of the litter will be Merles and none will be Double Merles. As red is a recessive gene, both parents need to carry the red color gene for the puppies to be red Merle.

While it may seem logical to breed two red merle Australian Shepherds together, a Red Merle Australian Shepherd should never be bred with another Red Merle Australian Shepherd as they will produce Double Merles (M/M). Double Merles carry two copies of the “M” allele and are affected by ocular defeats and deafness. They should never be intentionally bred.

*Pro Tip: If you want to know about the genetics of your dog, take a dog DNA test. One of the best DNA tests on the market today is the Embark Vet Dog DNA Test (Get 10% off Two Kits With Code MULTIPACK2)

Read Also: Aussiedoodle Colors Guide (Blue Merle, Black, Chocolate, Red etc.)

How Rare Are Red Merle Australian Shepherds?

Red Merle Australian Shepherds are much rarer than Blue Merle Australian Shepherds. This is because red (liver) base coats are a recessive gene while the black base coat of a blue merle is dominant. For an Australian Shepherd to be red Merle, both parents need to have the recessive genes. That being said, Red Merle Australian Shepherds are more common than solid red Australian Shepherds.

Images

Red Merle Australian Shepherd With Tail

Red Merle Australian Shepherd With Blue Eyes

Red Merle Australian Shepherd White Face

Temperament

There are no studies currently showing that the coat color of an Australian Shepherd affects their temperament. Therefore, a Red Merle Australian Shepherd has the same temperament as any other Australian Shepherd.

Traits	Rating
Ease of Care	🐕🐕🐕
Exercise Requirements	🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕
Friendliness	🐕🐕🐕🐕
Sociability	🐕🐕🐕🐕
Trainability	🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕

Life Expectancy

Red Merle Australian Shepherds have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. Their lifespan can vary depending upon genetics, health conditions, lifestyle, diet etc. If you want to give your Red Merle Australian Shepherd the best chance of living a long life, make sure you give them adequate daily exercise and a healthy diet.

Read Also: Toy Aussiedoodle Guide: Size, Temperament, Hypoallergenic etc.

Price

How Much Is A Red Merle Australian Shepherd?

Red Merle Australian Shepherds usually cost between $3000USD and $7000USD depending on the breeder. They are more expensive than Blue Merle Australian Shepherds as they are a rarer coat color, the result of a recessive gene. Their unique and beautiful coat color is highly sought after by buyers.

Additionally, Red Merles that have been ethically bred usually sell towards the higher end of the price range as the breeders have meticulously chosen breeding lines and done genetics tests to certify that they are not Double Merles.

Read Also: How Much Does An Australian Shepherd Cost? (Price Guide)

How Much Is A Red Merle Mini Australian Shepherd?

A Red Merle Mini Australian Shepherd costs more than a standard size Red Merle Australian Shepherd. They usually cost between $3200USD and $8000USD. The smaller size of Australian Shepherd is popular for individuals who live in urban areas as they are a more manageable size.

Red Merle vs Red Tri Australian Shepherd

While Red Merle and Red Tri have similar colors in their coats, the patterns and markings are totally different. Red Merle Australian Shepherds have a mottled coat while Red Tri Australian Shepherds have three distinct solid colors. A Red Tri Australian Shepherd has a solid red (liver) coat with beige/copper coloring around their muzzle, eyes and edges of their chest. They have white fur on their muzzle as well as their chest and front neck area. Red Tri coloring is much rarer than Red Merle. Red Merle is accepted by the AKC but Red Tri is not accepted.

Read Also: Australian Shepherd Colors Guide (Merle, Black, Brown, Red, Tri etc.)

Name Ideas

Read Also: The Ultimate Long Hair Dachshund Breed Guide

FAQs

Do Red Merle Australian Shepherds Shed?

Yes, Red Merle Australian Shepherds shed seasonally twice a year. They undergo heavy shedding for 2 to 3 weeks in spring and autumn when they lose their undercoats. At other times of the year they shed a moderate amount, mainly from their top coat.

The best way to combat Red Merle Australian Shepherd shedding is to brush them regularly. An undercoat rake is very useful during seasonal shedding times as it helps remove the shedding undercoat

Double Merle Australian Shepherd

What Is A Double Merle Australian Shepherd?

A Double Merle (M/M) Australian Shepherd has little to no color in their coat as they have inherited two copies of the dominant “M” allele. Unfortunately, Double Merle Australian Shepherds are affected by severe ocular defeats and deafness. They may be deaf in one or both ears and may be blind or have totally lost an eye.

Double Merle Australian Shepherds are also called ‘lethal whites’ due to their coloring and health issues. They are very controversial if they have been purposefully bred. Most official bodies refuse to register dogs that are a product of merle-to-merle breeding.

Can You Breed Two Merle Australian Shepherds?

No, you should never breed two Merle Australian Shepherds together as there will be Double Merle Australian Shepherds in the litter. Unethical breeders may mate two Merle Australian Shepherds together because it guarantees that the litter will have Merle dogs. This is not good practice as many of them will have health issues such as blindness and deafness.

As discussed above, the responsible way to get a Merle Australian Shepherd is to mate a Merle Australian Shepherd (M/m) with a non-Merle (m/m) Australian Shepherd. Roughly 50% of the litter will be Merles and none will be Double Merles.

Other

What Is a Harlequin Merle Australian Shepherd?

A Harlequin Merle Australian Shepherd carries the merle gene and the co-dominate modifying gene for harlequin. Instead of the normal Merle pattern, Harlequin Merle Australian Shepherds have white patches between each dark patch instead of grey or copper. Harlequin Merle Australian Shepherds usually have larger areas of darker shades interspersed with white instead of intermediate shades.

What Is A Dilute Merle Australian Shepherd?

A Dilute Merle Australian Shepherd has lighter tones featured in it’s coat compared to the standard Merle Aussie. The MLPH gene dilutes the darkest shade. Specifically, a Blue Merle Australian Shepherd will have it’s black patches diluted to slate shade. Alternatively, a Red Merle Australian Shepherd will have it’s red (liver) patches diluted to beige. These will be the darkest shades on the dog.

What Is A Bi Blue Merle Australian Shepherd?

A Bi Blue Merle Australian Shepherd is similar to an ordinary Blue Merle Australian Shepherd however they don’t have tan patches on their legs and face. Instead they just have mottled black, grey and white patches.

Further Reading

• Mini Australian Shepherd Guide: Size, Temperament, Price, Shedding & More
• Merle French Bulldogs – Everything You Need To Know
• Mini Aussiedoodles (The Ultimate Breed Guide)
• Cavoodles – Everything You Need To Know About This Adorably Fluffy Dog Breed!
• 21 Luxury Dogs Beds – You Need One Of These For Your Stylish Home!
• Australian Shepherd Colors Guide (Merle, Black, Brown, Red, Tri etc.)
• Red Australian Shepherd Guide: Red Merle, Red Tri & Self Red
• Black Australian Shepherd Guide: Black Tri, Black Bi & All Black
• Red Tri Australian Shepherd Guide – Everything To Know!
• How Much Does An Australian Shepherd Cost? (Price Guide)
• Australian Shepherd Size Guide (Teacup, Toy, Mini & Standard)
• Mini Australian Shepherd Guide: Size, Temperament, Shedding, Price & More
• Merle Australian Shepherd Guide (Blue, Red, Harlequin, Double)
• Toy Australian Shepherd Guide: Price, Size, Lifespan, Temperament etc.
• Toy Aussiedoodle Guide: Size, Temperament, Hypoallergenic etc.
• When Is A Mini Aussie Full Grown? (Size & Age Fully Grown)
• Aussiedoodle Colors Guide (Blue Merle, Black, Chocolate, Red etc.)
• Merle Border Collie Guide: Blue Merle, Red Merle & Slate Merle

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