 
This very informative article on the blue merle Chihuahua was written by Diane Comella, of Cameo Chihuahuas, who has graciously given the PCF permission to put it on the site.
Thank you, Ms. Comella!
Merle Chihuahuas
What the Breeder May Not Tell You
Thinking of buying a merle? Here are a few things to consider. The merle pattern was introduced in the last few years. Historically, it has never been part of this breed. Chihuahuas come in a myriad of colors but merle has never been among them. Merle is a coat pattern and it is a dominant coat pattern. That means that it could not have been hidden or "latent" in the breed for many years nor did it occur as a "spontaneous mutation" as some breeders have claimed. Current evidence suggests that the merle pattern was introduced by crossing a Dachshund with a Chihuahua and registering the puppies as purebred Chihuahuas - a practice that is highly unethical and illegal.
The following is an excerpt from one of the most highly respected works on canine genetics: "Genetics of the Dog," Malcolm Willis, Howell Book House, NY, 1993, pg 83. It shows the coat colors and patterns that normally appear in the Chihuahua breed. While the information below may technical and difficult to understand, the most important information is the information that is missing! The genetic abbreviation for the merle pattern is MM or Mm. "M" stands for merle and "m" stands for non-merle. To be a merle, a dog must carry at least one "M" gene. Purebred Chihuahuas normally carry only the "m" or non-merle gene. In 1993 when Dr. Willis published his book, there were no merle Chihuahuas.
Chihuahua Coat Colors
Although this breed has long and short-haired varieties the colour genetics are identical and complex. The complexity arises from the fact that aside from homozygosity at g, m and t every allele of the other series is present in the breed, though obviously not in individual dogs. We thus have A/ay/as/At, B/b, C/cch , D/d, Em/E/ebr/e, S/si/sp/sw.
As far as white markings are concerned these will follow the established pattern described earlier (see page 71). Blue dilutees (dd) are rare as are livers (bb). Tans or fawns can be caused by ee or various combinations of ayay.
Click here for a list of the Chihuahua colors and patterns allowed by AKC:AKC Colors & Markings.
Problems With Merles
The merle gene comes with a special set of problems including blindness and other eye problems, and deafness. Even dogs who considered "single merles" (Mm) can have these problems. Some merle puppies appear to be fine when they are young only go blind later in life from an inherited condition called PRA - Progressive Retinal Atrophy. Breeding two merles together can result not only in puppies born blind, deaf or even dead. A puppy born from two merle parents is called a Double Merle (MM). Most of these dogs are born deaf. They have a lot white on them especially on their heads and ears, and almost colorless or blue eyes.
If you are determined to own a merle Chihuahua, make sure that it has been CERF tested and BAER tested - for normal eyes and hearing. Due to the possibility of PRA, merle dogs should have their eyes examined each year. Insist on a five or six generation pedigree and insist on a dog registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC). There are other registries for dogs such as UKC, CKC, APRI and others. However, these registries do not employ the same safeguards as the American Kennel Club and that is why unscrupulous breeders often prefer them. Only the American Kennel Club has strict requirements for DNA testing and record keeping as well as an Inspection Program.
Breeders - Danger Signs
Is the dog registered with any registry other than AKC?
Is the breeder is charging a higher price for merles than for any other color?
Is the breeder taking deposits on unborn or newly born puppies? Do they offer to accept credit cards or PayPal? Be especially wary if the deposit is non-refundable.
Is the breeder selling puppies under the age of twelve weeks?
Is there a pedigree and is it more than four generations?
If the breeder claims "show quality" dogs or puppies, do they actively show their dogs? Most breeders keep potential show puppies until they are about six months old because it is impossible to determine whether they will be show quality at a younger age.
If the breeder has a web site, does it contain the breeders name, and location? If not, why?
Is the breeder willing to guarantee the health and genetic soundness of the dog? Is he/she prepared to return the purchase price and shipping charges or provide a replacement puppy if the one you purchase turns out to have a genetic defect?
Purchasing any puppy or dog is strictly "caveat emptor" - Let The Buyer Beware. Never has that statement been truer than it is today!
Stop, Think, Read, and Learn before buying a merle!
Best Wishes,
Diane Comella
Cameo Chihuahuas
The above article is the sole property and is copyrighted by Ms. Comella, and may not be cross-posted, copied, or reproduced in any other way without her permission.
CCA's Response to the Merle Inquiry
May 1, 2004
To: The members of the Chihuahua Club of America
As most of you are aware, a petition requesting an amendment to our breed standard that would read, "Merle specimens shall be so severely penalized as to effectively remove them from competition," was sent to the membership from a concerned member.
Our Constitution and By-Laws (Article VII - Section 1) states that a petition must be signed by 20% of the membership in good standing. The petition did not meet that requirement.
At the Board of Directors meeting held in Florida on Friday, April 30, 2004, information concerning the merle issue was presented by the Merle Inquiry Committee, as was information and written points of view from people on both sides of this issue. In addition, Board members individually had gathered information pertinent to the issue.
With the abudndance of information available to us and because this issue has generated so much controversey and in some instances allegations and threats harmful to our breed and club, the Board felt compelled to resolve this matter with the best possible results for our breed based on the facts presenteted immediately.
Here are some, but not all, of the reasons for our decision:
Historically, the Chihuahua has been presented in any color. Through the years some of the names and descriptions of some of the colors have changed. In "The Chihuahua" a booklet by Ida Garrett, who began breeding Chihuahuas in the late 1800's and was a founding member of the Chihuahua Club of America in the early 1920's, we find the following on page 11:
"The most attractive feature of the Chihuahua is its variegated colors which run from snow white and jet black to sand color and chocolate brown. This varied assortment of coloring is a wide departure from the color of the early Tchnini.
In Mexico today the two most popular types are the jet black, marked in tan and the black and white spotted, while in the United States the tendency among breeders is to favor the solid colors. Colors, however, should be no criterion in the matter of judging. Many breeders are under the impression that mixed colors are a sign of mixed breed. This is not true. Collies, Great Danes, Shepherds, Spaniels, especially the Cockers, and Pekingese, range in color from pure white to jet black with interspersions of palest tans to darkest reds.
Color is only a matter of taste. The rare shades, such as peach-blow, lemon, silver-sand, mole, and sable, are usually the most expensive, while the blue Chihuahua is almost priceless."
The original Standard of the Chihuahua appears on page 26 and 27 of this booklet. Under color it reads:
"All shades of fawn, gold, red or sand, most popular; cream, blue, white, black, silver, mole, chocolate, and many shades of brown, marked or solid preferred to broken or ticked."
We believe it is important to maintain the tradition of Chihuahuas being allowed in "any color."
Breeders of Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, Great Danes and other breeds have been breeding and exhibiting the merle color pattern for many years. While we fully understand that careful consideration and responsible breeding must be used, we believe that Chihuahua breeders are intelligent, responsible and devoted enough to follow breeding guidelines for the safety of their dogs now and for the future of our breed. We believe education is the tool we must depend on.
There always has been, and will continue to be, some irresponsible breeders; we may not be able to do much about them, but we can try. They are the same breeders who ignore patellar luxation, bad mouths, heart problems, hydrocephalus, and other problems within our breed. It is also unlikely that we can prevent the sale of the latest fad, be it color or size, (teacup) for profit. Eliminating the merle color pattern from exhibition will not prevent people from breeding and selling this pattern. We cannot punish the devoted, responsible breeders who want to breed and exhibit the merle Chihuahua.
Several breeders have bred and sold the merle color pattern for more than ten years. It is far too late to prevent it from being introduced into our breeding programs.
In response to the petition that was mailed, the Board received many letters and phone calls asking us not to change our standard. We believe the majority of our membership want the Chihuahua Club of America to develop guidelines that will educate Chihuahua breeders on the merle color pattern and help them manage it through recommended breeding practices just as other breed clubs have.
For these reasons, the Board believes the best possible solution for the welfare of our breed is the development of recommended breeding practices for the merle color pattern. We will do this as soon as possible and make it available to our members and anyone requesting it.
We thank the Merle Inquiry Committee for all their work, information and reports. Also we want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who cared enough to get involved in this issue, and supplied us with information and suggestions.
The Board knows that this decision will not please everyone, but we hope that it will end the accusations and threats that have been made by a small minority of people. This kind of behavior is prejudicial to our sport, our breed, and our club. The Chihuahua Club of America will not tolerate this behavior.
The Officers and Board of Directors of the Chihuahua Club of America
May 1, 2004
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