A lilac merle Border Collie is a type of Border Collie with the dilute gene expressed. This gene causes the coloration to be a faded red color that can look somewhat purple. Lilac merles are a combination of both the chocolate and dilute genes, and they are sometimes also referred to as “blue merles”. They have white markings and areas of gray, brown, and red on their coats.
What makes a Border Collie a merle?
A Border Collie is a merle when it has the merle gene, which causes parts of the coat to be randomly lighter than others. The merle gene creates a mottled), flecked grey, black and blue coat, which typically spreads over their faces and backs, as well as their sides and legs. This gene can also cause eye color to be different from the normal eye color for the breed. Merle Border Collies are typically born with two different colored eyes, or one eye of two different colors.
What is the rarest Border Collie?
The rarest Border Collie color is Merle. This is very unique among the Border collies and is recognized by the American Kennel Club as the official breed standard. Merles have a base coat that is usually white, with patches of blue, black, or brown on their body. The slate merle is another rare coat for a Border Collie and has similarities to the blue and white and blue merle. The all-white Border Collie is also very rare, as it is the result of the expression of very rare and recessive genes.
What is the merle gene in Border Collies?
The merle gene in Border Collies is responsible for a coat color pattern characterized by patches of lighter colors on a darker background. This gene is dominant, meaning that only one copy of an M allele is necessary for a dog to display some variation of the merle coat color. Merle is commonly found in the Australian Shepherd breed, and relatively common in the Border Collie. Merle is associated with an increased rate of deaf pups found in litters, and it is important for breeders to be aware of this when selecting breeding stock.
Do merle Border Collies always have blue eyes?
No, not all merle Border Collies have blue eyes. While some may have blue eyes, others can have shades of brown ranging from dark brown to light gold. Some purebred collies may also have two eyes of different colors. Additionally, red-coated Border Collies often have amber or hazel eyes.