Border Collies are one of the lovely canines that you just’ll come throughout. They’re finest recognized for his or her intelligence, loyalty, and robust work ethic.
You’ll discover Border Collies in an array of colours, however one of the fascinating coat patterns and colours needs to be the blue merle. With their cute snouts and mesmerizing blue eyes, Border Collie blue merles are a few of the most lovely canines that you just’ll encounter.
Border Collies are distinctive herders. Though they have been bred to herd sheep, they make wonderful household pets as nicely. These loyal companions like to maintain busy and assist their homeowners. You’ll additionally discover them in lots of competitions, from obedience to obstacles.
If you’re excited by welcoming a blue merle Border Collie to your loved ones, there are some things it is advisable find out about this pleasant canine. That can assist you determine whether or not it’s the good pup for you, you’ll find some fascinating information concerning the blue merle Border Collie under.
13 Issues to Learn about The Blue Merle Border Collie
Blue merle Border Collies are admired for his or her hanging look, robust work ethic, and total lovely conduct. Right here are some things to find out about these merle-coated pups.
1. Origin
The origin of the Border Collie canine breed may be traced again to round 300 years in the past. They originate from the Anglo-Scottish border area – which separates Scotland and England. The first intention of breeding these treasured pups was to assemble and management livestock, particularly sheep.
It’s straightforward to see why the Border Collies is a superb herding and dealing canine. The title of this breed comes from the possible place of birth, Scotland. The phrase “collie” is a Scottish phrase that describes sheepdogs.
Border Collies are purebred canines. Nonetheless, you may discover them at animal shelters and rescue teams. Like all border collies, the blue merle Border Collie is a purebred pup.
The blue merle Border Collie was acknowledged within the early 2000s. Nonetheless, this sample was noticed in different breeds for a few years. Yow will discover the outstanding merle completely different coloration sample in canines like Shetland Sheepdogs, Nice Danes, Australian Shepherds, Dachshunds, and Cardigan Welsh Corgis.
Border Collies have a broad vary of coloration combos, from pink merle to chocolate sable. However, the blue merle is definitely one of many rarest Border Collie coats.
2. The Merle Gene
The time period “merle” refers back to the diluted nature of the eye-catching coat coloration that leaves hanging streaks, splotches, and patches – giving off a ‘bluish’ look. Let’s take a look at how the blue merle Border Collie will get its uncommon coat sample. However don’t fear, we gained’t bore you with a protracted science lesson. Merely put, they get their distinctive sample from the merle gene.
Usually, a canine will get its coat coloration from two base colours. These base colours come from a dominant and recessive gene from the pup’s dad and mom.
The merle gene is an incomplete, dominant gene that creates the merle sample. It takes the opposite dominant gene (like black) and dilutes it – leading to a coat of bluish or grayish shades with splotchy or swirly patterns.
One of many guardian canines must be carrying the merle gene to get a blue merle pet. As beforehand talked about, this coat coloration is uncommon because the merle gene is occasionally present in Border Collies.
With out the merle gene, this dazzling blue merle coat gained’t simply occur. Alternatively, it is usually not assured {that a} blue merle Border Collie guardian may have a litter with the identical coloration sample. It’s possible you’ll discover just one pet with a merle coat within the litter.
Try my article on the Border Collie Combine with Husky Canine Breed.
3. Look
Very like different Border Collies, the blue merle Border Collie is a pup with distinctive coat colours. They boast a white chest and blue or grey-colored fur on their again, tail, ears, and face.
Apart from their distinctive coat, blue merle Border Collies have an athletic look with brief ears that stand straight or fold ahead like different Border Collies. All Border Collies usually are not hypoallergenic, however they’re nonetheless distinctive pets to have round.
Blue merle Border Collies have many eye shades like gentle inexperienced, pale amber, or pale blue with an intense and considerate gaze. You’ll additionally discover a few of these pups with heterochromia or mismatching eyes.
The blue merle Border Collies are medium-sized canines with lengthy tails and noses. They have an inclination to have pink or partially pink snouts when they’re born. However, pigments normally seem on their noses as they develop to make it black.
Their peak ranges between 18 to 22 inches. Blue merle Border Collies weigh between 33 to 55 kilos – females are usually smaller and lighter than males.
These short-haired pups have two coat varieties: {smooth} and tough. Tough-coated pups have medium to lengthy coats. Whereas smooth-coated pooches are characterised by brief and thick coats.
Each the graceful and tough coats are double-layered and shield them from excessive climate situations. In contrast to different canines that don’t shed, each kinds of coats shed all year long.
Blue merle Border Collies shed their furry winter coats throughout spring – as they get their summer season our bodies prepared. So, it’s finest to have some good grooming instruments available throughout shedding season.
4. Character and Temperament
Blue merle Border Collies are lovable household canines with a wonderful total temperament. Their coat coloration doesn’t affect their conduct. Concerning their persona, all patterns and colours of the Border Collie breed have the identical good-natured traits.
These furry companions are extremely smart, wanting to please, and all-around energetic. They’re very athletic pups with nice agility. Border Collies are arguably the very best herding canine, all the time eager to spherical up the creatures round them.
Though they love being busy and serving to out, blue merle Border Collies are affectionate and all the time prepared for a cuddle. Their enjoyable and playful nature make them good furry buddies for households with little ones.
They’re loving and pleasant canines, however they could change into shy and reserved round strangers. Blue merle Border Collies are well-behaved canines, however it’s vital to socialize them whereas they’re younger to keep away from stand-offish conduct.
5. Household Compatibility
Blue merle Border Collies are as candy as they look like. They’re very affectionate, loyal, and loving. These treasured pups make wonderful household companions.
Some canines could also be intimidating or confused by youthful, energetic youngsters. However, that is extra widespread with aggressive canines just like the tiny Chihuahua as they don’t reply nicely to tough play. Alternatively, all Border Collies have greater than sufficient power to maintain little ones entertained.
Blue merle Border Collies are playful and pleasant pups with an abundance of power. They do nicely with kids and get together with different pets as nicely. As they have been bred to herd sheep, they’re very vibrant and like to be lively.
Like most canines, they’ve a powerful intuition to guard their family members. These clever canines even have an inherent capability to know their proprietor’s temper and attempt to assist out.
Though they’re good-natured canines, it’s very important to coach and socialize your pup early on in order that they’ll adapt accordingly. You possibly can educate a Blue merle Border Collie to assist with family chores as nicely. From taking out the rubbish to sorting laundry, they’re all the time keen to supply a serving to paw.
As these vigorous canines have excessive power ranges, they’re finest suited for individuals who can present them with every day train. The perfect atmosphere for these pups can be a house with plenty of open area.
Questioning whether or not these dazzling canines can be an excellent match for your loved ones? Right here are some things to consider in regards to the blue merle Border Collies’ bodily and emotional wants:
- Are you an lively particular person who enjoys bodily exercise?
- Can you present them with common medical care?
- Are you able to give them satisfactory consideration and time that they should thrive?
- Do you might have sufficient indoor and outside area for them to run round?
6. Grooming Wants
As most blue merle Border Collies have white fur on their faces, chest, and underbelly, they’re susceptible to filth stains. They’re additionally heavy shedders and require common grooming to maintain their pores and skin, coat, ears, and nails in form.
Blue merle Border Collies have a double-layered coat that protects them from excessive cold and warm climate. You’ll want to keep up this thick coat by brushing your pup not less than two to a few instances per week to maintain their pores and skin and coat wholesome.
The sunshine-colored components of the pup’s hair are sometimes susceptible to tear or filth stains. To maintain them recent and glowing, you possibly can bathe your canine as soon as each three months or as crucial – like after a day of rolling on muddy grounds.
To keep up pure oils and a wholesome coat, it’s best to make use of a high quality canine shampoo. After bathtub time, just remember to dry your pup totally to keep away from moisture build-up.
You’ll want to wash their cute ears weekly to take away extra moisture and the build-up of wax and particles. You should use a fabric to wash their ears weekly. It’s important to make sure that their ears are correctly dried to forestall ear infections, however watch out and keep away from damaging the ear canal.
To maintain your pet’s nails from cracking or splitting, you’ll have to offer them with common nail clipping. You possibly can trim it utilizing nail clippers or nail grinders, each two to a few weeks. It’s best to foster good grooming habits early on and profit from the standard time together with your pet.
It’s a wonderful time to bond and examine for medical situations like infections. Maintain an eye fixed out for sore spots, abrasions, irritation, redness, and discharge from their ears, eyes, or nostrils. If you’re unable to offer your canine with the mandatory grooming and have some money to spare, think about hiring a grooming skilled.
7. Shedding Season
A blue merle Border Collie may have extra grooming wants throughout their shedding season. Shedding season is a results of temperature change.
Canine shed their outdated winter undercoats throughout hotter seasons to make approach for lighter summer season coats. This course of is called “blowing coat” as they put together for the nicely awaited heat climate and seaside days.
Double-coated canines just like the blue merle Border Collie usually blow their coats twice a yr. It happens within the fall and spring seasons and lasts about two to 4 weeks.
Like all Border Collies, the blue merle Border Collie is a heavy shedder all year long. However, you possibly can count on extreme shedding through the shedding season. So, you’ll have to comb their hair on daily basis.
8. Dietary Wants
A blue merle Border Collie’s weight loss plan depends on their age, dimension, and exercise stage. With their excessive power ranges, this medium-sized canine breed wants enough energy for help and diet.
In case your canine has an lively life-style with every day train, they want round 900 to 1,000 energy a day. A working or herding canine would require about 1,400 energy a day.
Since these canines are extremely lively, it is best to present them with satisfactory quantities of fresh water to maintain them hydrated. The standard of the meals is crucial for a wholesome and joyful canine. There are additionally particular meals necessities for the varied life levels.
It’s finest to talk to your veterinarian to search out out about your pup’s every day dietary wants – as this varies with completely different canine breeds and ages.
As blue merle Border Collies are well-mannered and useful, you could really feel tempted to continuously reward them with canine treats which may be dangerous for his or her well being. You must keep away from overfeeding them with treats or desk scraps as it may possibly result in well being issues and weight achieve. It’s vital to develop good feeding habits to keep up their total well being.
9. Well being Issues
Blue merle Border Collies have a median lifespan of 12 to fifteen years. It’s finest to know the doable well being implications that they face of their life for a thriving and joyful canine.
Canine which are correctly bred and cared for are typically wholesome, however they usually face potential genetic well being issues. Blue merle Border Collies have the next threat of growing listening to issues.
There are numerous causes of congenital or inherited deafness. Research have indicated that the possibilities of having congenital deafness within the Border Collie canine breed are greater with canines with a merle coat, blue eyes, or a white head.
You’ll have to watch this however do not forget that a listening to or visually impaired pup can get used to their scenario with further love and care. Different well being points to maintain an eye fixed out for embrace:
- Hip dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Collie eye anomaly
- Trapped neutrophil syndrome
- Progressive retinal atrophy
Extra well being issues come up in canines with a double merle genotype. Double merle canines outcome from each dad and mom carrying the merle gene. How are you aware in case your pup has a double merle genotype? Because the merle gene acts as bleach, double merles have extreme white markings on their heads and ears.
Double merle canines have an elevated threat of growing well being points. They’re prone to endure from imaginative and prescient or listening to impairments, and in extreme instances, the pups are utterly deaf or blind.
As breeding double merles is dangerous, double merle canines may be spayed or neutered to cease the gene from passing. To maintain your pup wholesome, it is best to go to your vet repeatedly and monitor the indicators of illnesses and well being issues.
10. Pet Coaching
The Border Collie breed is thought for its superior intelligence. As such, blue merle Border Collies are a few of the most trainable canines. This lovely household pet must be socialized and skilled early on to develop as well-behaved pups.
All Border Collies are susceptible to comply with their intuition to herd and nip these round them. Due to this fact, good socialization and obedience coaching is critical to cease them from rounding up youthful youngsters and pets every day.
You possibly can assist them change into accustomed to their environment and others by introducing them to completely different individuals, noises, smells, and locations.
You possibly can prepare them for varied canine competitions that embrace intelligence, obstacles, and obedience. And to do family chores like finding out laundry, loading a dishwasher, and clearing rubbish.
Different enjoyable tips you could educate your canine are to shake palms, bark on command, spin, and naturally, fetch. Blue merle Border Collies are vibrant and energetic, requiring constant coaching and loads of workout routines to maintain them entertained.
11. Train
The Border Collie Merle wants every day train and intense exercise. Leaving these energetic pups with out consideration makes them bored and doubtlessly depressed or harmful.
They require a 30 to 60-minute stroll on daily basis. Moreover, it’s finest to offer them with wide-open areas to run round and luxuriate in some bonding playtime. You possibly can maintain them occupied indoors by instructing them new tips and investing in canine toys like chew toys and pet rope toys.
12. Value of The Blue Merle Collie
The sensible blue merle Border Collie is a uncommon and sought-after pup. The elements that add to their worth and pricing embrace the canine’s pedigree and the breeder’s location.
On common, you possibly can count on to pay round $600 to $1000 for a blue merle collie. Nonetheless, the price can go as much as $4,500 in case you get your pup from an costly or respected breeder. You may also discover them at adoption facilities at $300 for upkeep earlier than adoption.
When shopping for a blue merle Border Collie, it’s important to examine the medical data of their dad and mom and the litter. These medical data will show you how to change into conscious of potential well being points.
13. Watch out for Blue Merle Border Collie Breeders
In case you’re planning to get your blue merle Border Collie by a breeder, there are some things that it is best to know beforehand. Some breeders reap the benefits of the hanging coat and rareness of the blue merle Border Collie and use it as a possibility to overcharge.
Though blue merles look completely different from the standard Border Collies, this doesn’t imply that it’s important to break the financial institution to undertake one. In case you really feel that the breeder is charging an unreasonably excessive value for the pup, it’s finest to search for one other breeder.
A accountable breeder will present cheap costs and well being certificates. The breeder ought to have their canines examined and screened earlier than you decide up the pup.
These data ought to embrace hip evaluations and ophthalmologist checks – to examine for eye issues or illnesses. In case you’ve rescued your blue merle Border Collie, it’s best to have them examined and screened to make sure they’re in good well being.
Ceaselessly Requested Query concerning the Border Collie Blue Merle
What’s a Blue Merle Border Collie?
A Blue Merle Border Collie is a Border Collie with a particular coat coloration sample that seems mottled or marbled with completely different shades of blue-grey and white. This coloration is because of a genetic trait often called the Merle gene.
Is the temperament of a Blue Merle Border Collie completely different from different Border Collies?
The coat coloration of a Border Collie doesn’t affect its temperament. Due to this fact, a Blue Merle Border Collie has the identical clever, energetic, and hardworking nature as every other Border Collie.
Do Blue Merle Border Collies require particular grooming?
No, they don’t require particular grooming due to their coloration. Like all Border Collies, common brushing to forestall matting and maintain their coat wholesome is critical.
How uncommon are Blue Merle Border Collies?
Whereas not the commonest, Blue Merle is a acknowledged coloration in Border Collies. The rarity can differ relying on the realm and the particular breeding practices of native breeders.
Remaining Ideas on The Blue Merle Border Collie
Blue merle Border Collies are admirable pups with hanging coats and good natures. They’re energetic bundles of pleasure that may present serving to palms and heat your coronary heart.
In case you’re an lively particular person with a spacious yard and a number of love to provide, they’re the right canine for you. And naturally, in case you’re on the lookout for a herding helper, they’re your best option.
Are you able to welcome a blue merle Border Collie, construct unbreakable bonds, and have many memorable moments?
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Amanda O’Brien is the proprietor of The Canine Snobs web site. She is canine mad and canine aunt to Clover in London and Poppy in Sydney. She will be able to’t wait to have a schedule that enables her to have a canine of her personal (for now it’s two Siberian cats) and loves studying about canine breeds and canine conduct.
