Merles ...

[Kelly]

Awww, a chi with a beard! Adorable. I've always loved wire haired critters.

[Hollie]

Merle is not a native gene to the Chihuahua breed, therefore no matter how cute people think it looks, it is a mongrel, it is not a pure Chihuahua. I have seen people fighting the case for Merles in America, posting pics of Merle dogs that are shown to prove that they can still be typey, but not one of them has actually been nice :/ The Merle gene is a threat and a detriment to Chihuahaus, and I don't believe anyone who knowingly breeds dogs posessing Merle truely cares about the welfare of the breed.

[Kelly]

Hollie - as Kristi said - neither is LC! So anyone breeding LC is the same? Obv there isn't a genetic loophole for ill dogs with LC, but who's to say there might not be?

I don't know that saying anyone who breeds merles at all doens't care about the breed. Kinda mean. My breeder is a wonderful woman, who works her heart out to better the type/health of all the chi's she works with (she actively shows as well). Her dogs are typey and lovely. She -does- care about the breed, and her dogs.

[Sarah]

You know this lc thing I'm still not sure if it's a rumour. Since it's a recessive gene (Merle is dominant). I mean surely there would be some details about where it came from I might call the kc and ask for first details of long and smooth registrations. I mean lotus has smooth breeding behind her and I can get her pedigree back to 1956 or something and there are longs back there... So where are the Poms?

What I'm wondering is if they did originate coz Poms and paps were bred in... Where are the details and what was the reason? One would assume to improve the breed. Same as they allowed a
Pointer to be bred in to dalmations.

I think that's hollies difference (ok I do not agree with Merle breeding at all I!!) is that if merles were actually doing something for the breed it would be different but they aren't allthey produce is a colour everything else is detrimental to the breed

[Eva]

everyone here will likely find me insane.. but i have recently purchased a Merle puppy from a Breeder.. here's my reasoning.. i am fully aware of what i am taking on.. i am fully aware that i will possibly be raising a dog that will have health problems.. i am fully aware that this coloring is frowned upon, i am fully aware it is a DQ in the CKC.. i am fully aware that my baby girl could potentially have all manner of health risks.. HOWEVER, i didn't breed her, she is already here, and despite whether or not i have health problems with her later on down the line, she needs a loving, caring, home too.. just like any other chi out there. just like any other pet out there.

i realized before even agreeing to purchase her, that their was potential for blindness, deafness, and other more scary health concerns.. but i suppose my big heart saw her sad face and simply put.. couldn't just walk away. i had the opportunity to buy a tri color, or a brindle, or even a cream.. instead, i opted to purchase a merle. and if anyone finds me crazy for that.. so be it.

i'm not going to discriminate a puppy that had no control over whom it's breeders were, or parents are.

she has been genetically tested and all tests came back clear.
she's had all manner of health tests, and everything came back perfectly fine.
she's been checked for a murmur and luxating patella.. and various other chi-known ailments, and everything came back perfectly a'ok. both vet checks she's had so far, came back "perfect health".. i do realize that this could change, but i also realize that it's quite possible she will be fine and have no issues.

her mother is a red merle, her father a tri color (black beige brown)... she is the only merle of her litter, and while i know these things make no difference.. that she could still be ill later.. i just don't care. she needs a loving home, just like any other chi out there.. and i have one, and am willing to take her on and love her.. healthy or not. merle or not.

and that's all i'll say about that.

[Eva]

ps. i have no intention what-so-ever of breeding her. and will have her spayed at the proper age. simply put, she is a family pet.. and nothing more. just thought i'd throw that out there, so i wasn't deemed a mongrel breeder.

[Sarah]

Eva it sounds like the breeder you got her from is responsible and doing it right (other than it being dq in your country)

[Eva]

she's a lovely woman, and a great breeder of CKC's as well.
The Merle (mom) she has was not intended to be bred, but things happen.. she's only had a few litters of Merle's over the years, and they've always been healthy and have had no health concerns. she has even offered references upon my request.

and she doesn't charge any more or less for a merle to a tri or cream or brindle et c... in fact because my baby isn't CKC registered, if anything, she's cheaper. she's been very open and honest about anything that could potentially pose a risk. and she has answered any questions and concerns i've had very honestly. (thanks to Lucy, i've asked all the right questions)...

i understand the feelings people have about the coloring, and the genes et c.. but there are people out there, that own and adore Merle Chi's.. with a fine temperament and no health concerns.. personally, i find the coloring unique, and refuse to condone every Merle just because they might not be 'pure'.. the way i look at it is.. if i look at my own ancestry, i'm not 'pure' anything, so it's only fitting i have a dog that could be the same. (that's partially a joke) <3