Is Blue Merle colouring OK in a dog?

[ForestWomble]

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I'm reading a book at the moment where the author gets a blue merle Australian Shepherd puppy.

I'm sure I've heard that blue merle isn't a good colour due to health or something? Or is that only in certain breeds? Or have I got it wrong completely?

(I'm just intrigued, I have no interest in having one of my own.)

 

[JudyN]

My understanding is that a merle offspring of a merle and a non-merle is generally fine, but if you cross two merles the offspring is prone to deafness and vision problems. I'm sure others will be able to give extra details though.

 

[JoanneF]

@JudyN is right, sometimes though the merle colouring isn't obvious so someone breeding a merle might breed to a second inadvertently.

 

[ForestWomble]

Ah yes, I remember reading that somewhere now. Thank you both.