Merle colored Schnauzers and other Merle colored breeds are the latest fashion. Beware, when buying a Merle colored puppy/dog. They come with a high price tag. Protect your investment by requiring the breeder to give you an extended, written health guarantee against Merle-related health problems. Keep in mind that once you fall in love with your puppy, no money or another puppy can sooth the pain knowing that your puppy will be handicapped for life or even need to be put down. Solid colored dogs that carry for Merle have one dominant gene for solid and one recessive gene for Merle. No Schnauzers registered with The American Kennel Club carry the Merle gene. Therefore, make sure your puppy comes from one AKC registered parent. Otherwise, you are taking the chance that some of the puppies will have two recessive genes for Merle and will be deaf, blind or both. If they breed two Merle’s together, the majority of puppies will get both recessive genes for Merle from the parents and will be blind, deaf or both. Predominantly white puppies with a few spots from dogs carrying for the Merle gene can be carrying two recessive genes for Merle and are usually deaf, blind or both. Puppies born solid white from a Merle breeding usually die shortly after birth. In horses these white offspring would be referred to as Lethal Whites. It is a slow anguishing death. These medical problems are not usually noticeable in a young puppy. Many people try to save money when starting up a breeding program and purchase dogs that appear to be solid in color and not registered with AKC. However, this can be avoided by purchasing AKC registered dogs for your breeding program. Some unethical breeders will sell you a solid colored puppy/dog knowing that it carriers for Merle. Many of these puppies are born with Merle markings and loose them as they grow older. Many puppies that carry two genes for Merle are sterile and cannot be used for breeding. BUYER BEWARE |
| LITTLE FRIENDS SCHNAUZERS |
| MERLE SCHNAUZERS (Confetti Schnauzer) (Designer Breed Schnauzer) |
| TRANSLATE |