Chihuahuas come in many different colors and variations. Many potential Chihuahua owners want a Chihuahua puppy that has a rare and unique color as well as various marking or patterns and Blue Merle Chihuahua seems to fit these criteria.
If you’re interested in learning more about Blue Merle Chihuahuas before getting one, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about Blue Merle Chihuahua. You’ll learn what a Blue Merle Chihuahua is and how to differentiate a Blue Merle Chihuahua from a Blue Chihuahua.
We’ll also discuss how to take care of a Blue Merle Chihuahua and any health problems they are susceptible to. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Table of Contents
What is a Blue Merle Chihuahua?
Blue Merle Chihuahuas are long or short-haired Chihuahuas with a faded black or greyish-blue coat texture mottled on a lighter background.
Merle isnât a color but a pattern caused by the merle gene. It is also known as âdappleâ or âmottleâ and looks like dark patches or spots over the dogâs coat.
Is a Blue Merle Chihuahua rare?
Not exactly. While this coat variation is new, it isnât very rare. The merle gene isnât recessive, and when a merle Chihuahua breeds with any other Chihuahua, thereâs a high chance of at least one offspring being a merle. There are other merle colors, but Blue Merle Chihuahua is the least rare of them all.
Blue Merle Chihuahua health problems
1. Deafness
Deafness plagues Blue Merle Chihuahua more than any other dog. Thatâs because the merle gene affects the pigmentation inside the ears, causing accelerated degeneration of nerve-endings and loss of hearing.
2. Blindness
Blue Merle Chihuahuas are also more likely to be born blind or develop blindness over time. As with deafness, the reduced pigmentation inside the eyes makes them sensitive to bright light. If you have a Blue Merle Chihuahua, be sure to provide your pooch with shades during bright sunny days.
3. Skin cancer
Since the Blue Merle gene can cause loss of pigmentation on certain parts of the Chihuahuaâs body, its skin is more exposed to UV rays, which increases the risk of skin cancer in Blue Merle Chihuahua.
4. Color Dilution Alopecia
Color Dilution Alopecia or CDA attacks Chihuahuaâs lighter colored hair. Along with the appearance of bald patches, this condition is sometimes accompanied by itchy or flaky skin and other infections.
5. Microphthalmia
Aside from losing their sight, Blue Merle Chihuahuas may sometimes be born with malformed or uneven eyes. Itâs also likely for such Chihuahuas to be blind.
Blue Merle Chihuahuas require more attention?
Yes, Blue Merle Chihuahuas do require more attention. Additionally, due to their sensitivity towards bright light and sun, Blue Merle Chihuahuas warrant more care than other dogs.
Since Blue Merle Chihuahuas are sensitive to the bright light and the sun, if they are exposed to it for an extended period of time, tears may start to swell up in their eyes and it may look like your Blue Merle Chihuahua is crying or about to cry.
Blue Merle Chihuahua controversy
The Blue Merle gene has only recently appeared in Chihuahuas, whereas some larger breeds like Border Collies, Great Danes, and Australian shepherds have had it for centuries. This leads many to believe that the gene was crossbred into Chihuahuas, and a Blue Merle Chihuahua wouldnât be pedigree.
How is Blue Merle inherited in the Chihuahua dog breed?
The Blue Merle pattern is caused by genes passed down by the parent Chihuahuas. Puppies who had a merle Chihuahua parent are likely to be merles themselves. However, the gene can get dominated by other genes during conception.
Itâs possible to guarantee Blue Merle Chihuahua offspring by having both parents be Blue Merle Chihuahuas. However, it is likely that Blue Merle Chihuahua parents could have normal Chihuahua offspring as well. Also, the increased likelihood of the puppies contracting congenital diseases makes this practice cruel and unethical.
Is Blue Merle a Natural Color in Chihuahuas?
No, Blue Merle is not a natural color in Chihuahuas. While Chihuahuas can be found in various coat colors and patterns, Blue Merle isnât a natural Chihuahua color. In fact, up until just a couple of decades ago, there were no Blue Merle Chihuahuas. The gene was likely introduced by crossbreeding.
Blue Merle Chihuahua breeders
We did some digging and there are some things that Blue Merle Chihuahua breeders won’t tell you:
Blue Merle Chihuahuas are favorites among Chihuahua breeders thanks to their high price. While responsible breeders put a puppyâs health over financial gain, some try to maximize their profits through unethical and illegal breeding practices.
Breeding two Blue Merle Chihuahuas increases the certainty of having Blue Merle Chihuahua puppies. However, that also increases the probability of them being born blind or deaf. For this reason, Blue Merle Chihuahuas are always bred with regular Chihuahuas.
Unfortunately, even puppies with just one Blue Merle Chihuahua parent can contract blindness and deafness. With Blue Merle Chihuahuas, there is always a danger of these congenital diseases.
Blue Merle Long Haired Chihuahua
Blue Merle Chihuahuas can be long-haired. But the striking design isnât easily recognized in these Chihuahuas. The merle pattern is imprinted on a Chihuahuaâs skin, and the long and thick fur of a long coat Chihuahua somewhat conceals it.
Long coat Blue Merle Chihuahua puppies show a more pronounced merle pattern because of their shorter hair. Keep in mind that long haired Chihuahuas will have short hair when they are puppies. Their long hair doesn’t start growing until after a few months. But once their hair grows out, their pattern gets less pronounced.
Long Haired Blue Merle Teacup Chihuahua
Teacup long-haired Chihuahuas come in all the colors and coat patterns of regular-sized Chihuahuasâincluding merle. Unfortunately, teacup Chihuahuas carry several health issues due to their unnaturally small size.
Adding the merle gene to the mix would add another layer of health complications. Although long haired Blue Merle Teacup Chihuahua look adorable, the various health issues can shorten their lifespan.
Long Haired Blue Merle Chihuahua breeders
The best place to look for Long Haired Blue Merle Chihuahua breeders is the AKC website. It lists responsible and ethical breeders that follow AKC guidelines.
If youâre getting a long haired Blue Merle Chihuahua from a breeder who isnât on the AKC website, make sure to do your research and ask them the right questions. Reputable breeders wouldnât hide details about their Chihuahuaâs genetics or medical history.
Short Haired Blue Merle Chihuahua
The blue merle pattern is more prominent in the short coat variety, but they shed more than the long coats. Regular brushing keeps shedding in check and the fur healthy. Short haired Blue Merle Chihuahuas have weaker hair follicles, making them shed more. It also means they are more prone to CDA: a disease that causes bald patches on the coat.
What does the American Kennel Club say about Blue Merle Chihuahuas?
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the only major Kennel Club to register Blue Merle Chihuahuas. However, they require the dog to be healthy, free from diseases, and bred ethically.
How to care for a Blue Merle Chihuahua?
1. Reduce sun exposure
Blue Merle Chihuahuas have light and sensitive skins that offer low resistance to solar radiation, putting them at a higher risk of skin cancer. Blue Merle Chihuahuas should avoid intense sunlight and keep their sun exposure to a minimum.
2. Get health insurance
Even for regular Chihuahuas, health insurance is a must. Chihuahuas are naturally prone to more diseases than any other dogs, and Blue Merle Chihuahuas are even more sensitive. Good pet insurance is the best option to keep the medical bills under control.
3. Donât let two Blue Merle Chihuahuas mate
Puppies born from two Blue Merle Chihuahua parents are almost always likely to be disabled or disfigured. To prevent this fate from befalling an innocent animal, never let two Blue Merle Chihuahuas breed.
4. No bright light for the blue-eyed Blue Merle Chihuahua
Blue Merle Chihuahuas sometimes have one or two blue eyes. Such eyes are extremely sensitive to bright light, and such dogs often go blind.
5. Ask your vet for advice on proper care for Blue Merle Chihuahuas
Many Blue Merle Chihuahuas are either blind or deaf, or both. But that doesnât make them any less lovable. With proper care and expert medical advice, even a blind or deaf Blue Merle Chihuahua can give you lots of love.
Blue Merle Chihuahua Puppy: Care Tips
1. Early socializing
Adult Chihuahuas would have a hard time socializing unless they learn it at a young age. Blue Merle Chihuahuasâespecially those with hearing and vision impairmentsâneed to learn to socialize early so that they can communicate with others despite their disabilities.
2. Regular checkups
You should get your Blue Merle Chihuahua pups checked regularly by a vet. This will ensure that you catch any oncoming diseases well before time.
3. Train Blue Merle Chihuahua puppies
Chihuahuas are bold and bossy by nature, making proper training crucial to keep their behavior in check. To raise a well-mannered Blue Merle Chihuahua, you should start their training him or her during puppyhood.
Blue Merle Chihuahua food and diet
Blue Merle Chihuahuas are no different from regular Chihuahuas when it comes to food and nutrition. Feed them a low-fat meal twice a day to keep their energy up and blood sugar level stable.
How much does a Blue Merle Chihuahua cost?
The recent hype surrounding Blue Merle Chihuahuas has given them a hefty price tag. Blue Merle Chihuahuas are sold for $1,500 on average, but they can sometimes go for as high as $10,000.
Blue Merle Chihuahua: 10 Interesting Facts
1. Blue Merle Chihuahua didnât exist 20 years ago
Blue Merle Chihuahuas werenât always around and emerged only recently. Traditionally, Chihuahuas came in solid, bi-colored, and tri-colored coats.
2. The Blue Merle isnât just a hair color
The Blue Merle gene affects the skin pigmentation, meaning the pattern would be visible on the Chihuahua even if he or she is fully shaved.
3. Blue Merle Chihuahuas may have blue eyes
Blue Merle Chihuahuas sometimes come with blue eyes. This makes them even more unique since blue isnât a natural Chihuahua eye color.
4. They may not have similar eyes
Some Blue Merle Chihuahuas exhibit heterochromia, meaning they may have one blue eye and one dark brown eye.
5. Blue Merle Chihuahuas are not purebred
While not natural among Chihuahuas, the merle gene existed organically in larger dog breeds. Experts believe Chihuahuas got this gene through crossbreeding with those dogs.
6. Two Blue Merle Chihuahuas shouldnât breed together
Even if theyâre unrelated, two Chihuahuas carrying the Blue Merle gene should never breed. It is because of the high likelihood of the subsequent puppies being born with defects.
7. A Chihuahua can be a Blue Merle without showing it
Such Chihuahuas are called phantom merles and look like normal Chihuahuas despite carrying the blue merle gene.
8. Blue Merle Chihuahuas are not always ethically bred
Breeding a Blue Merle Chihuahua puppy is a miss more than a hit. Some breeders ensure a Blue Merle Chihuahua offspring by breeding Blue Merle Chihuahuas together, often resulting in deaf and blind puppies.
9. Blue Merle Chihuahuas can cost a pretty penny
Due to their high demand, Blue Merle Chihuahuas are sold at hefty prices. The average price of a Blue Merle Chihuahua is $1,500, whereas some can cost up to $10,000!
10. Their uniqueness is only skin deep
When it comes to temperament and behavior, Blue Merle Chihuahuas are just as bold, loud, loyal, and protective as regular Chihuahuas.
Is a Blue Merle Chihuahua right for me?
Blue Merle Chihuahuas make loyal, brave, and loving pets like any other Chihuahua. But before getting one, bear in mind that these delicate little dogs need special care and attention and often suffer from disabilities. Most kennel clubs donât recognize them, and the AKC only allows them under certain conditions. You should also make sure the dog was ethically bred and has proper documentation.
Related Questions
Merle is a gene modifier, meaning this gene changes the genetic makeup of a dog. While this isnât inherently wrong, it puts Chihuahuas at risk of several diseases and disabilities.
Not always, but aside from common health issues that plague Chihuahuas, Blue Merle Chihuahuas are also more prone to blindness, deafness, and skin cancer.
DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihuahua_(dog)
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/merle
With over five years of specialized experience as an animal writer, my expertise lies in dog nutrition, health, behavior, grooming, and training. I am dedicated to delivering helpful and informative content that caters to the well-being of our furry friends. My primary goal is to empower pet owners with knowledge and ensure our canine companions thrive in health and happiness. In my free time, I love volunteering at local dog rescue centers.
