There’s no denying that the Australian Shepherd is a top contender for most popular dog in the world. As a people, Australians are outgoing and positive, and they take great pride in leading active and healthy lives. Like the Border Collie, they are among the toughest working dogs ever.
If you’ve decided on an Australian shepherd blue merle, there are a variety of different colours to pick from. However, I think the most stunningly beautiful colour for an Australian Shepherd is blue. It’s not surprising that other Australian pet-owners feel the same way.
But what, exactly, gives these canines their peculiar appearance? And are there any benefits of picking a australian shepherd blue merle over another coloured Australian Shepherd? How about the disadvantages? If you’ve ever wondered about the Blue Merle Aussie and had questions like these, here’s your answer to every one of them.
The Australian Shepherd’s Coat Colors
As you may well know, there are many, many hues of the australian shepherd blue merle. The breed comes in many different colours, and blue is only one of them. And while some hues are more common than others, all of them are stunning and beautiful.
Even though we’ll just be talking about australian shepherd blue merle here, the other colours are wonderful as well. Keep in mind that these four colours are the hues officially recognised by the AKC. Click the “breed standard” link on the AKC website for further details.
These canines come in a wide variety of colours, including sable, yellow, and others that are more muted. However, breeding them is frowned upon because of how uncommon they are.
Two Things to Keep in Mind When Getting a Blue Merle
You might be wondering, “Why get a australian shepherd blue merle?” The only difference between a black-tri, red merle, or blue merle Aussie is purely aesthetic.
The same fantastic, hard-working dogs are back. They will treat you with the same unconditional adoration and respect they give to every other dog. However, there are a few points to consider when debating on whether you want to acquire a blue merle.
Blue Merle Australian Shepherds could be more costly
Australian Shepherds with the merle coat pattern, especially the blue merle, fetch a high price. Blue merles aren’t the rarest, but they are in high demand due of their unique and eye-catching appearance. Because of australian shepherd blue merle, you should be prepared to pay a greater fee for one of these canine companions.
The best breeders in the past didn’t tack on extra fees for picking a specific coat colour. The world of dog ownership, however, is subject to rapid change. Australian shepherd blue merle puppies are in high demand, therefore breeders have started charging more for them.
A Reddit user, for instance, claims in this thread that a “reputable” breeder is charging him more for merles and tri-colors than for solid colours. He estimates that he would have to pay $1,000 for a australian shepherd blue merle and $800 for a tri-color.
Other considerations include, but are not limited to, family history and sexual orientation. However, this is quite the premium when one considers that the minimum cost of an Australian Shepherd from a reputable breeder is around $650.
Blue merle dogs have medical problems
In comparison to other dog breeds, australian shepherd blue merle tend to have good health. If they are a purebred Aussie from a respected breeder, this is especially true. On the other hand, blue merles are disproportionately affected by certain health conditions.
Coloboma, which affects the iris, is one such disorder. The dog’s eyes don’t function as effectively as those of a typical Aussie since the iris hasn’t finished developing. What this means is that the australian shepherd blue merle won’t be able to enlarge or shrink as they should.
This means that blue merles will experience severe discomfort when exposed to bright light. If you want to use them for australian shepherd blue merle, where they will spend much of the day exposed to the sun, this could be a serious issue.
Merles do not have a monopoly on this gene. Although less common, this gene is present in some non-merle Australian Shepherds. If you’re looking for a Blue Merle Australian Shepherd, you should always inquire about the eye health of the breeder’s dogs.
Varieties of blue merle Australian shepherds
There is no single colour that fits the description of australian shepherd blue merle It’s worth noting that this is a typical coat colour for the breed. Blue Merle Australian Shepherds come in four distinct colour patterns. There are those that are far more prevalent than others. However, each and every one is stunning in its own special way.
Australian Shepherd, Solid Blue Merle
Even though they are called “blue merles,” solid blue merle australian shepherd blue merle may be a rarer variety than you might imagine. Their fur is mostly grey, with black spotting or patches. The patches can be any size or form and appear randomly across the body.
The fashionable white and copper or tan markings, as well as any other colours, have no place on a plain blue merle. Whatever the case may be, these canines are fantastic, and their distinct appearance is sure to strike up a lively discussion.
Blue Merle Tri Colored
Among the four blue merle varieties found in australian shepherd blue merle, the Blue Merle Tri Colored is by far the most prevalent. I find them to be the most stunning because of the striking colour contrasts. The Aussies of this colour are possibly my favourite of all the variations in coat colour.
Yet again, these australian shepherd blue merle are born with a coat pattern known as blue merle, which consists of black markings on a grey and white background. While the size and shape of the patches may change, the overall back colour remains the same—a muted grey. And that’s not all.
White and copper or tan accents
The blue merle tri is distinguished by its white and copper or tan accents all over the face, ears, legs, bottom, and chest. These australian shepherd blue merle are, without a doubt, among the most stunning in the world.
A merle variety as beautiful as the blue merle tri colour, the Blue Merle and White Australian Shepherd certainly exists. As a result, they’re considered to be the second most popular coat colour variety among all blue merle Aussies.
