Adopts | MYOs | Breeding | Genetics
The "M" locus determines whether or not a dog is merle. Merle genes can be complex and confusing, but for Stillehond we will only use the most basic "M" for classic merle. Dogs will be either "mm" (non-merle) "Mm" (merle) or "MM" (Double merle).
Merle dogs (Mm) have patches of their black pigment diluted. In most merles this looks like darker patches and flecks ona pale background, but it varies greatly between each dog how much is diluted. Above are examples of a solid dog in each eumelanin color. Black merles are sometimes called "blue" in real life due to the diluted background but are genetically black and can have darker eyes and noses. Merles often have blue or heterochromatic eyes and speckled pink noses but not always. The other exmples are, left to right, a cream and blue sable, cream and black saddle, lilac and cream point, liver and tan agoutu, black and tan sable and brindle. Brindle merle can be confusing, and honestly, I'm not 100% sure I've gotten down, but I believe this is it.
Double merle (MM) dogs are more often than not born deaf, blind, or both and can have malformed eyes. I'll make a separate sheets that goes into it a bit more
