You’ll discover various varieties of Great Dane coat color patterns whether you’re an expert on the breed, a curious dog lover, or a brand-new owner.
In this specialized article, we will go into greater detail about the blue Merle Great Dane, including how they are raised, their temperament, health, grooming, and price.
What is A Blue Merle Great Dane?
A Blue Merle Great Dane is a coat color and pattern variety of the Merle Great Dane, commonly called a dilute merle. Their base coat, which may be grey, brownish, or dark blue, is adorned with faint black markings. The physical identifier of the blue Merle is its distinctive bluish-black coloring on the nose.
The Merle Great Dane is now recognized by the American Kennel Council (AKC) as a standard color of the breed, despite previously not being considered one of the breed’s standard colors.
They can now participate in American Kennel Club conformation shows as a result.
What Makes a Blue Merle Great Dane? : Blue Merle Genetics
The blue Merle Great Dane is a product of the crossbreeding of two harlequin Great Danes, resulting in one to two Merle puppies. A blue merle, a color variant of the Merle Great Dane, can be produced from these merle puppies. The gene that produces the grey base coat color is the source of the Merle coat color pattern.
A dark to light grey base with black markings breaks up the Merle coat color of a Great Dane. The merle color pattern comes in various forms, such as:
- Blue Merle (dilute Merle)
- Harlequin
- Cryptic Merle
The gene that transmits the merle color pattern highlights the distinctions between these coat types.
The Great Dane’s appearance is determined by the M(Silv) gene, which is inherited. The merle gene manifests as either diluted melanin or normal pigment (melanin) in the coat pattern.
A Great Dane’s Merle coat color pattern will vary in intensity based on how the gene features manifest and how long it is.
Size of a Blue Merle Great Dane
The Blue Merle Great Dane’s coat color will not influence its growth and size from a normal Great Dane. The Blue Merle Great Dane grows to the normal size of the Great Dane.
The average height of a Blue Merle Great Dane is 32 to 34 inches when fully grown, and a female is 28 to 32 inches.
The average weight of the male blue Merle Great Dane is 120 to 200 pounds, while the female weighs between 100 to 130 pounds. The Great Dane is nicknamed the “Apollo of Dogs” due to its giant size.
The Personality of Blue Merle Great Dane
Variations in the Great Dane’s coat color do not result in personality differences in the breed. The disposition of the Great Dane breed also applies to blue Merle Great Danes.
A Great Dane’s personality is also influenced by socialization, training, sound breeding, and decent care. Great Danes generally are amiable, kind, people-focused, sweet-tempered, friendly, protective, and devoted animals.
These character qualities characterize the blue Merle, Great Dane. The blue Merle is a sweet dog that adores people despite its enormous size.
They may experience separation anxiety if not near their owners since they thrive when they are. Overall, they make wonderful, caring, and pleasant companions.
Health and Blue Merle Care of Great Dane
The blue Merle Great Dane is likelier to experience particular health issues based on coat color. Dogs with the M(Silv) gene, which creates the merle coat color, are more likely to experience some health issues.
The Health of a Blue Merle Great Dane
According to studies, a dog’s coat color indicates how healthy it is. According to the study, various coat color variations, including white, Merle, piebald, and roan, are more susceptible to specific health issues.
Dogs with this light white pigmentation are more prone to hearing issues and deafness since the genes responsible for these color pigmentations have been related to causing deafness.
This category includes Great Danes with blue merle coats, which are deaf-prone.
The blue Merle Great Dane will often have increased sun sensitivity because the Merle gene is connected to sun sensitivity. The blue Merle is more susceptible to getting skin cancer.
The merle blue Large breed dogs like the Great Dane are more prone to health issues. Great Danes frequently experience the following health issues:
- Hip dysplasia
- Wobblers syndrome
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Cancer
- Bloat
Although not all these disorders will affect Blue Merle Great Danes, knowing them enables Great Dane owners to provide their dogs with the preventive care and public attention appropriate for a healthy Dane.
The Merle blue Great Danes only live 7 to 10 years on average. Others might live longer.
Grooming Needs of a Blue Merle Great Dane
The blue Merle Great Dane requires little grooming, including attention to their coat, nails, and dental health.
Blue Merle Great Dane’s coat sheds a lot, especially in the spring. Their short coat must be brushed once or twice a week to eliminate debris and shed hair. At least once a month, depending on how quickly they get dirty, they need to have a bath.
Dental care is crucial to keep the blue Merle Great Dane’s teeth healthy and prevent the disease from spreading. Weekly tooth brushing is part of the care.
Only when necessary do the nails need to be trimmed once every month. Caution should be used when clipping the nails to protect the Great Dane from harm.
Exercise for a Blue Merle Great Dane
Great Danes are calm, moderately energetic dogs. This implies that they merely only do a little exercise to stay healthy. Because the Great Dane’s bones and joints are still fragile and immature before 18 months, exercise should be moderate.
Too difficult exercise for them can harm their bones and joints, which is unhealthy. While a puppy will need 90 minutes of exercise daily, an adult blue merle Great Dane just needs 30 to 60 minutes.
It’s crucial to remember not to overdo things for your dog. A quick walk and other less demanding workouts are sufficient for Great Danes.
Price of a Blue Merle Great Dane
A blue merle Great Dane typically costs between $1000 and $2500, depending on where you live and the breeder you get the puppy from.
Only buy a blue merle Great Dane puppy if the breeder is reliable and willing to provide their health history. This method will assure you that the puppy you are purchasing has undergone testing and screening for various medical issues.
This will stop you from purchasing a perfectly bred, sick, or unhealthy puppy.
How rare is a Blue Merle Great Dane?
A blue merle Great Dane is fairly uncommon but is less likely to be discovered than the other merle varieties in a puppy litter. They’re still accessible through a puppy litter.
This presents an opportunity for dishonest breeders to raise prices for a blue merle Great Dane. But you shouldn’t shell out more than the typical Great Dane cost. To avoid paying too much, acquire your dog from reputed breeders.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between a Blue Merle and A Blue Harlequin Great Dane?
The color of the base coat is the main distinction between a harlequin and Merle Great Dane. Merle Great Danes have a base coat ranging from light to dark gray Merle, as opposed to harlequins, with a white base coat. They will also have ripped black spots on top of their gray coat.
What Is the Personality of A Blue Merle Great Dane?
The color of the base coat is the main distinction between a harlequin and Merle Great Dane. Merle Great Danes have a base coat ranging from light to dark gray Merle, as opposed to harlequins, with a white base coat. They will also have ripped black spots on top of their gray coat.
What is Scooby Doo’s Breed?
Great Dane Scooby-Doo is a dog. Iwao Takamoto, an animator at Hanna-Barbera, created the character. Great Danes are “the mighty ‘Apollo of Dogs,'” according to the American Kennel Club, which is significantly different from the foolish and cowardly Scooby-Doo.
Conclusion
A kind and loving dog, the Great Dane makes a wonderful companion. In addition, the breed has distinctively diverse coat colors. One of these colors is the Great Dane’s blue merle coat. They have cute coat that stands out from the other Great Dane colors.
Discovering the blue Merle, your understanding of Great Dane’s traits, health, and general care will increase. This enables you to give them better care.
If you’re considering acquiring a blue merle Great Dane, acquire your puppy from a reputable breeder to ensure that you get a healthy puppy and don’t pay too much or get a sick puppy.
