Breeds that have been identified as having the Merle gene include the Australian Shepherd, Rough and Smooth Collies, Shetland Sheepdog, Dachshund, Great Dane, Old English Sheepdog, American Foxhound and the Catahoula Leopard dog among others. That is often a strong indicator, but there is one situation where that is not always helpful. Microphthalmia is one of the most common eye defects seen in double merles. The merle gene does affect the color of the eye, although associated abnormalities may affect eyes with brown as well as blue irides Dogs of any breed, or mixed breeds, with the merle color dilution (homozygous merle) and abundant white spots are at risk of … Variation in merle pigmentation is extreme, going from the virtual solids cryptic merles to a mostly light … Microphthalmia, or an abnormally small eye, is the most common eye defect seen in homozygous merles. These defects are specific to Merles, who are also susceptible to all possible health complications that Chihuahuas in Calypso, a double merle Great Dane, was born blind. Other problems such as eye problems were However, there is far more to Merle Chihuahuas than meets the eye. This can vary from just noticeable to appearing to have no eye at all. [1] O gene merle causa manchas sobre uma pelagem de cor sólida ou bicolor; também causa olhos azuis ou heterocromia; e pode afetar o pigmento da pele. Since merle causes random modifications, however, both dark-eyed, blue-eyed, and odd-colored eyes are possible. Unfortunately, the same gene that is responsible for the desirable coat and eye appearance is often responsible for many developmental eye defects. All the normal mm dogs were devoid of eye anomalies while all the MM Eye defects or blindness is possible in dogs that test positive for the single (heterozygous) merle gene. 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