The Blue Merle coat color is fascinating. It is one of the many colors of the Pomeranian and many Pomeranian owners love it for its uniqueness.
So, how different is this coat color and how does it come about?
Read on to learn more about what makes a Blue Merle Pomeranian, from appearance, temperament, associated health problems, price, and where to get them.
What Is A Blue Merle Pomeranian?
A Blue Merle Pomeranian has a dilute merle coat pattern, which is a variation of the Merle coat color. The coat is a brown, red, or black solid base coat color with patches of subtle gray with blue hue patches appearing as a mottled or speckled coat.
What Do Blue Merle Pomeranians Look Like?
Blue Merle Pomeranians look like any other Pomeranian except for their unique coat color. They have the same physical features as a Pomeranian.
Generally, they have a small build, rounded head with a short muzzle, and upright ears. They have a fluffy double coat and a fluffy tail that curls up at the back.
Blue Merle Pomeranian eyes are either blue or brown.
A Blue Merle Pomeranian’s coat appears as a blue-tinted merle coat with dilute dark marks. The dilute dark marks vary in size and shape.
The blue color in the coat is a gray, slate, or sliver color with a hue of blue.
The Merle coat color pattern can appear on any of the Pomeranian coat colors but it is more clear on a dark base coat color.
The Genetics Of The Blue Merle Pomeranian
Puppies get their DNA from their parents and depending on the inherited gene interaction, a puppy obtains their coat color.
Blue Merle is a variation of the Merle dog coat color. The Merle color pattern is a dark gray base coat with dark markings.
The Merle gene is responsible for the Merle coat color pattern.
The merle coat color gene’s length is used as the standard length which is used to analyze other merle gene length that expresses different variations of the merle coat color pattern.
Depending on the gene’s length and expression, the merle coat shows up as normal pigment (dark) or dilute pigment, which are variations in the color intensity.
The Blue Merle coat color is one of the variations of the Merle coat and the dilute presentation of the Merle coat color.
Only one parent of a puppy needs to pass on a dominant Merle gene to have a Merle Pom puppy.
A Merle Pomeranian puppy comes from the combination of a dominant merle allele (M) and a non-merle allele (m). Two alleles make a gene therefore the genotype for a Merle Pomeranian is (Mm), also known as an incomplete dominant merle gene.
A puppy with this genotype has a Merle coat color pattern which is a base coat that is pale to dark gray that is covered with dark marks.
Variations of the Merle coat color intensity exist depending on the Merle gene length. The Blue Merle is one of the color variations of the Merle coat color.
The Blue Merle occurs due to a shorter merle gene compared to the standard merle gene length. This results in a coat that is a subtle gray with a hue of blue with black markings.
In addition to influencing the coat color characteristics, the merle gene also influences the eye color of a Merle Pomeranian.
Blue Merle Pomeranians usually have blue or brown eyes. Others may have different colored eyes, that is, one brown eye and one blue eye.
Are Blue Merle Pomeranians rare?
Blue Merle Pomeranian are rare however they can be produced with selective breeding. Production of a Blue Merle Pomeranian requires that only one of the parents passes down the dominant Merle allele (M) to have a Merle coat pattern and a shorter merle gene length to have a Blue Merle.
Blue Merle Pomeranian puppies with only one copy of the merle gene can only develop the merle coat pattern if they do not inherit two dominant merle genes which creates offspring that are double merle Pomeranians.
The merle gene also has to be shorter than the standard merle gene length for a puppy to have a Blue Merle color.
Based on this genetic makeup requirement, it seems like an uphill task in producing a Merle Pomeranian as well as a Blue Merle. However, it is still possible with genetic science.
Breeders can increase the chances of production of these Blue Merle Pomeranian puppies when there is demand for them.
Also learn more on other Blue Merle dog breeds from our guides below. Blue Merle Pomeranian is not the only interesting Blue Merle dog!
Blue Merle Pomeranian Temperament
A Blue Merle Pomeranian has the same personality as any other Pomeranian dog. The coat color does not affect their temperament.
Pomeranians are is smart, affectionate, loyal, and excellent watchdogs. They get along well with people and other animals.
In addition to this, a Pomeranian’s personality is also shaped by good breeding, socialization, training, and good nurturing.
Good breeding practices produce Blue Merle Pomeranian puppies with pleasant personalities.
Socialization and training are important to help a dog or puppy to blend in well with people, and other animals and also to enforce desired behaviors.
Blue Merle Pomeranian Health
Research has shown that a dog’s color influences its longevity and health. This means that some dog coat colors are more likely to have more health problems than others.
White, piebald, roan, and merle coat colors are prone to more health problems.
The genes that are responsible for these color pigmentations have been linked to hearing problems and deafness.
Because of the merle gene, the Blue Merle Pomeranian is susceptible to deafness.
The merle gene is also linked to sun sensitivity and the development of skin cancer. This makes the Blue Merle Pom have sun sensitivity with a risk of developing skin cancer.
As a Pomeranian dog breed, they are also prone to common Pomeranian health problems.
These common Blue Merle Pomeranian health issues include hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, collapsed trachea, congestive heart failure, patella luxation, Legg – Perthes disease, epilepsy, eye, and dental problems.
A Blue Merle Pomeranian will not necessarily develop all or any of these conditions. Pomeranians are generally healthy dogs despite being susceptible to these conditions.
When considering getting a Pomeranian or a Blue Merle Pomeranian it is important to be aware of these possible health conditions to know what to expect and the care for your Pom to keep them healthy.
Blue Merle Pomeranian breeders also reduce the risk of occurrence of these conditions.
Therefore when your heart is set on purchasing a Blue Merle Pomeranian puppy, make sure that you purchase one from a reputable breeder to receive their health history.
Finally, with good care, diet, and appropriate exercise the Blue Merle Pomeranian has an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years.
Blue Merle Pomeranian Price
The Blue Merle Pomeranian price can be up to $6000 from a reputable breeder. The price tends to be high because they are rare especially a Blue Pom with blue eyes.
Blue-eyed Pomeranians are sought after and are high in demand.
Blue Merle Pomeranian puppies are also more expensive compared to older dogs and dogs for adoption.
The price will also vary on individual breeders from whom you purchase a puppy and their location.
Therefore Blue Merle Pomeranians are more expensive because they are rare with fascinating coat color and eyes.
Where to Buy or Adopt a Blue Merle Pomeranian
When considering purchasing a Blue Merle Pomeranian puppy, always buy from a reputable Blue Merle Pomeranian breeder to ensure you receive their health records as well as genetic testing reports of their parents.
This minimizes the risk of occurrence of health problems in puppies. Therefore you will be confident that you are buying a healthy puppy.
Pomeranian breeders can also be found on the American Kennel Club’s marketplace which is a resource for certified and approved breeders.
The Pomeranian rescue and the Pom Squad rescue are also trusted resources for the adoption of Pomeranians.
Summary: Blue Merle Pomeranian
The Blue Merle Pomeranian is Pomeranian with a unique coat color which is a subtle gray with a blue hue covered with dilute dark markings.
This Pomeranian is not different from other Pomeranian colors. They have the same physical features and personalities.
The coat color only makes them more susceptible to certain health conditions but overall they are healthy dogs.
When you are considering purchasing a Blue Merle Pomeranian, buy them from your reputable Pomeranian Breeders to ensure you have a healthy puppy.