If you are looking for a new dog to add to your family, you may be considering a Merle Bully. This is a great choice! They are loyal, protective, and make great companions. In this article, we will provide you with everything you need to know about Merle Bullies Consider your needs to be fully satisfied before purchasing a dog. It’s not uncommon for dogs to go through several homes, and each new addition might have different demands that must be met.
We will cover Merle American bully’s coat and pattern, characteristics, types, health and conditions, and their comparison with other dogs and dog breeds. We will also discuss double merle, merle puppies, merle mutation, and the pros and cons of owning a Merle Bully so that you can decide if this is the right dog for you.
Merle Bullies Are A Unique and Special Breed of Dog.
Merle Coat American Bully is a designer breed of dog that mixes the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Bulldog. They are sometimes also called Merle Pit Bulls or Merle Bulldogs.
If you’re looking for a loving and loyal companion, a Merle Bully may be the perfect dog.
Merle Bullies are a mix between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Bulldog. They are sometimes also called Merle Pit Bulls or Merle Bulldogs. What distinguishes them from other types of dogs is their unique appearance.
Merle Coat Pattern
Merle coat pattern is typical in many breeds of dogs but is rare in Pit Bulls and Bulldogs. The merle pattern results from the dog having two copies of the Merle gene. This can cause them to have patches of different colors on their coat.
A gene mutation causes this mesmerizing coat pattern. Merle gene mutation is a dominant gene, which means that only one copy of the gene is needed for the dog to have the merle coat pattern.
The merle pattern can be found in many colors, including black, blue, red, and brindle.
Dog Breeds with Merle Coats
Here are other dog breeds that express merle dog’s coat:
Australian Shepherd – Australian Shepherds are a herding dog breed known for their merle coat.
Shetland Sheepdog – Shetland Sheepdogs, are a small herding breed of dog. They are the smallest British Sheepdogs and are often mistaken for a Border Collie. Merle
Collies – Collies is a herding dog breed known for its merle coat.
Border Collie – Border Collies are an extremely versatile breed that can be used for various purposes, including herding, agility, obedience, and even freestyle.
Dalmatians are a popular breed known for their spots and energetic personality. They are often used as working dogs for firefighting and law enforcement.
Although merle coats are standard in these breeds, it is essential to note that not all dogs within these breeds will have a merle coat.
What Makes Merle Coat Pattern?
The Merle Coat, as a resulting pattern, is called “Dapple” in other breeds. A gene mutation causes it, and the dominant Merle gene must be inherited from both parents to produce the dapple pattern.
This means that if one parent is merle and the other none merle, there is a 25% chance that the offspring will have a merle coat. Merles gene is a sex-linked gene, which means that the gene is carried on the X chromosome.
That’s why it’s more common to see merles in females than males. If a female has two identical copies of the Merle gene, she will have a dapple coat. And if a male has one copy of the Merle gene, he will have a merle coat.
Characteristics of Merle American Bullies: What Sets Them Apart from the Rest
The Merle Gene in American Pit Bull Terriers and American Bulldogs has a few different expressions, all of which are unique and beautiful in their way. This rare combination has many people asking, “What are Merle American Bullies?”
The characteristics of a Merle American Bully can vary depending on the expression of the Merle gene. Some common indications of the merle gene are:
• Coat Pattern: The dog has patches of different colors on its coat.
• Eye Color: This can be blue, green, brown, or a mix of colors.
• Coat Colors: Merle American Bullies can have any color coat, but black and white are the most common.
• Size: Merle American Bullies are typically larger than other Pit Bulls and Bulldogs. They weigh 50-70 pounds and stand about 18-22 inches tall.
• Temperament: Merle American Bullies are loyal, protective, and make great companions. They are less aggressive than other Pit Bulls and Bulldogs in the breed, according to experts.
Merle Bully is a designer breed of dog that mixes the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Bulldog that exhibits unique mottled patches of color on their coat.
This sets them apart from the other breeds and is the most easily identifiable physical characteristic of the Merle Bully.
Types of American Merle Bullies by Breeding
Merle Dogs and Merle mutation has been around for centuries and has appeared in many different breeds of dogs.
Today, the Merle American Bully is a relatively new breed still being bred and developed. There are currently three types of Merle American Bullies:
Standard Type
This is the most common type of Merle American Bully and is the result of breeding an American Pit Bull Terrier with the now famous American Bulldog.
Designer Type
This is a result of breeding two Merle American Bulldogs together.
Hybrid Type
This results from breeding an American Pit Bull Terrier with a hybrid dog that has the merle coat pattern.
The Standard type is the most common because it is the result of breeding two purebred dogs. The Designer type is less common because it results from breeding two Merle American Bulldogs together, which are also considered purebred dogs. And the Hybrid type is the least common because it is a result of breeding an American Pit Bull Terrier with a hybrid dog.
All three types of Merle American Bullies are considered purebred dogs and are registered with the Designer Breed Registry.
Types of American Merle Bullies by Coat Color
American Merles have a wide range of coat colors that can vary depending on the expression of the Merle gene. Here are the most common coat colors:
Red Merle
Red Merle’s result from the Merle gene being expressed in red coat color. This is the rarest type of Merle American Bully and is not as common as the black and white Merles. The Red Merle coat is not easily identifiable and can be mistaken for a regular red American Pit Bull Terrier.
Red Merles typically have a reddish-brown coat with patches of black and white and are not red.
Blue Merle
Blue Merle’s result from the Merle gene being expressed in blue coat color. This is the most common type of Merle American Bully and is the result of breeding an American Pit Bull Terrier with an American Bulldog.
Like the Red Merles, the Blue Merles are not blue. Blue Merles coat is a light blue color with patches of black and white.
Blue Merle is the most common type of Merle American Bully because it results from breeding an American Pit Bull Terrier with an American Bulldog.
Cryptic Merle
From the name itself, it is hard to identify a Cryptic Merle. The Cryptic Merle gene is expressed in a coat pattern that does not show any patches of color.
Cryptic Merles can have a black, white, or brindle coat and can be mistaken for a regular American Pit Bull Terrier.
Cryptic Merles are Merle bullies that do not exhibit the usual patterns of color and are the result of breeding two Merle American Bulldogs together. The Cryptic Merle coat is a black, white, or brindle coat with no patches of color.
Aside from these, merle puppies can also have a coat that is a mix of the three colors mentioned above, which is striking to most puppy buyers.
Merle Bully Eye Colors
Apart from coat color variation, the Merle genes also affect the eyes of the dog.
Merle Dogs have two types of eye colors: standard and glass eye colors. The standard eye color is the brown or black eye with a small amount of merling in it. The glass eye color is an entirely merled blue or green eye.
Blue eyes are not a standard eye color for Merles and are not considered a desirable trait. The glass eye color is the most desired eye color for Merles because it results from the Merle gene being fully expressed.
Double Merles American Bully
What are Double Merle American Bullies?
One merle gene is not enough to produce the Merle coat pattern. To get a full Merle coat, the dog must inherit two merle genes from two merle dogs, which is called a double merle.
Double Merles are the result of breeding two Merle American Bulldogs together and are very rare. There is no way you can predict if a dog will be a double merle, so it is essential to know the history of ther genetics especially of there parents.
Because Double Merles are bred from two Merle dogs, they will always have a merled coat and glass eyes. They will also be deaf and blind due to the excessive expression of the Merle gene.
Double Merle American Bullies Biological Makeup
Two merles can only produce a Double Merle. Double Merle dogs are always male because the X chromosome is responsible for the Merle gene. Merle pattern is recessive and will only show up if a dog has two copies of the Merle gene. Since a double merle always gets two copies of the merle gene, they will always be a Merle bully and will have the full expression of the Merle coat pattern.
Double merle’s genotype is MM which is why they always have a merled coat and glass eyes. Non-merle genotype is Mm, so they only have the merle gene expressed in their coat and not their eyes. M Allele is the dominant allele and will override the merle gene so that non-merle dogs can have a merle pattern coat.
Further, non-merle dogs can only produce merles if they mate with a merle dog due to the M allele being dominant.
Health and Conditions
The breeding of double merles for their unique coat and pattern has become subject to discussion and divided the bully community. Some feel that breeding should be avoided due to potential health issues, while others think breeding for desired traits is acceptable as long as both parents are health tested and cleared before breeding.
Some people consider double merle breeding an unethical breeders act. While others are concerned about the effects of the inbreeding within the merles family as an art, others call for unscrupulous breeders to be stopped.
American dog breeders association has no policy or statement on the breeding of Double Merles.
Merle Bully: The Results of Inbreeding
The most common condition is deafness, which occurs in about 75% of double merles. The second most common condition is blindness, which occurs in about 60% of double merles. Other health concerns that can arise in Double Merles are:
- Hydrocephalus (water on the brain)
- Cleft palate
- Heart defects
- Eye problems
- Neurological problems
- Spina bifida
- Bone problems
- Autoimmune diseases
- Liver shunts
Because of the health concerns associated with breeding double merle dogs, it is vital to be aware of the potential risks before deciding to breed these dogs. It is also crucial to ensure that both parents have been health tested and cleared before breeding.
Merle Coat Bully vs. Other Bully
Suppose you plan to purchase or adopt a Merle dog, aside from understanding what merle mutation is, what double merle American bully breed is, and what the American Bully community stands for. In that case, it is also practical to compare this American Bully community breed to other dog breeds.
Here’s a comparison of American Bully Merles to other certain breeds:
American Bully Merle Dogs vs. Catahoula Leopard Dog
Merle bullies are larger and have a stockier build than Catahoulas. Merles also have a more wrinkled face and a broader head than Catahoulas. American bully merle dogs’ coat patterns will always be merled, while Catahoula coats can come in various colors and patterns.
Skin pigment and small merle patches may be seen on Catahoulas, but they will not have the extensive merling seen in American bully merles.
American Bully Merles vs. American Staffordshire Terriers
Though both the Merles and American Staffordshire Terries fall in the same bully breeds – American Bullies, there are a few differences. Merles, as mentioned earlier, always have a merled coat pattern, while American Staffordshire Terriers’ coats can come in a variety of colors and patterns.
Secondly, the muzzle shape of an American Staffordshire Terrier is more straightforward when compared to the broad head of the Merle bully. Lastly, American Staffordshire Terrier is taller and leggier than the Merle bully.
American Bully Breed Merles vs. Pit Bulls
Though both American Bully breed- the merle and the non-merle, share standard physical features such as a muscular body, broad chest, and short coat – there are some differences.
Merle American bullies will always have a merle coat pattern, whereas non-merle American bullies can come in various colors and coat patterns. Secondly, the muzzle shape of an American Pit Bull is more straightforward when compared to the broad head of the Merle bully. Lastly, Pit Bulls are typically shorter in height and have a stockier build than the Merle bully.
American Merle and the American Bully Community
Although merle color and this dog’s coat are alluring for pet owners and dog owners compared to other certain breeds of American bully, several American bully communities and kennel clubs disapprove of the breeding of double Merles as this is an unethical act.
Some people are rightly concerned about what the long-term effects of inbreeding within the merle family bloodline as an art. In contrast, others call for a stop to these unethical breeders, especially breeding of double merle American bully.
The Pros and Cons of Owning a Merle Bully
There are pros and cons to owning any dog, whether a purebred or a mutt. When considering adding an American bully Merle to your family, it is crucial to be aware of this breed’s good and bad aspects.
Here are the pros and cons of you owning an American bully Merle:
The pros of owning a merle American Bully
They are loving, loyal, and make wonderful family pets; they are excellent guard dogs and generally healthy dogs. Owning a merle dog may also:
- Make a good company dog
- Help reduce stress
- Provide a sense of purpose
Cons of owning a merle American Bully can
Some health concerns such as spinal problems, deafness, and blindness. They can also be dominant and territorial, requiring a lot of exercises. Owning a merle dog may also:
- Require a lot of grooming
- Bring added financial responsibility for medical costs
- Cause conflicts with other pets in the home
FAQs About Merle Dog and Merle Coat
Q: Is it safe to own a merle dog?
A: There are pros and cons to having any dog, whether it be a purebred or a mutt. When considering adding an American bully Merle to your family, it is essential to be aware of this breed’s good and bad aspects.
Q: How much grooming does a merle dog require?
A: Merles require a lot of grooming. They need to have there coat brushed regularly to keep their coat healthy and free of mats and tangles.
In Conclusion
Though there are some differences between the merle American bully and other types of American bullies, they share many familiar physical features. They are all muscular dogs with broad chests and short coats.
However, the Merle bully has a striking merled coat pattern that is unique among American bullies. Additionally, the muzzle shape of the Merle bully is broader than the muzzle shape of the American Pit Bull.
When considering adding an American bully Merle to your family, it is vital to be aware of this breed’s good and bad aspects.
