Educating Ourselves about our pups
Cocker Spaniels are beloved companions known for their friendly, happy nature and stunning beauty. Among the many coat patterns that captivate the eyes, the merle gene stands out, creating a beautiful mosaic of colors in these charming dogs. In this blog post, we embark on a journey to unravel the mysteries surrounding the merle gene in Cocker Spaniels, exploring its origins, genetic implications, and impact on the breed’s health.
Educating ourselves about our pups is important. Understanding the science, history, and implications of this gene allows us to appreciate the beauty of merle-coated Cocker Spaniels while recognizing the importance of promoting ethical breeding practices and prioritizing the well-being of these wonderful dogs.
Where to get information
All of my information has been taken from AKC.org or americanspanielclub.org. There was a study done several years ago by the ASC (American Spaniel Club) about the origin of the gene and its implications.
Summary
A summary of the study says the merle gene cannot be traced to a specific dog or a specific breed. The gene has been around forever and probably comes from dogs earliest ancestor, the wolf. The problems with the gene come when you breed two merle dogs together. This is commonly known as a “double merle.” These breedings can cause many different health problems and birth defects. Among these are blindness, deafness, short legs and spinal problems just to name a few. The AKC and ASC discourage the breeding of merles. Without proper research and/or genetic testing, it is hard to know whether one or both breeding dogs carries the gene.
To really gain a full, in-depth knowledge of this color pattern and its implications you can go to https://americanspanielclub.org/about-the-breed/merle-color-in-cocker-spaniels/ . Read the research paper conducted by the American Spaniel Club from 2009 – 2017. Let us know inside our facebook group what your take is.
The merle coloring in Cocker Spaniels can be a tricky thing. In this video, I show you two of my dogs. One dog obviously carries the merle gene. The other, though not obvious, also carries the merle gene.