The merle color is a stunning array that literally sparkles. The color has gained popularity in the Pomeranian breed. There are several guidelines to follow in the quest to breed them. It is a dominant color, therefore requires fewer dogs to be kept than most other varities.
In order to develop a strong merle program you will need to start with an exceptional black, chocolate or black and tan program. The merle gene is dominant, therefore it only takes one merle dog to produce merle puppies. Merle gene can not be carried, it is either present or not. The merle gene presents in a random fashion. It only effects eumelanin, the black or brown hairs to create patches or a mottled pattern. No effect on phaeomelanin, clear recessive.
Merle can affect all coat colors. Dogs who are recessive red can still be affected by merle, but the patches are either hardly seen or, if the dog is a clear recessive red, are not visible at all. The best way to produce more vibrant color is to use E/E or E/e dogs. Select for correct confirmation, soundness and type first. Color can be created in far fewer generations.
In addition to altering base coat color, merle also modifies eye color. The merle gene can modify the pigment in the eyes, changing to blue, speckles or parts of the eye to be colored.
The merle pattern is random, with no two dogs having the same. However responsible breeders should be able to breed out traits that would produce hidden merles. Avoid breeding merles to reds, oranges, whites and creams. Many breeders think they can lighten the color by breeding to white or a cream, but this is not so. It is a entirely different gene. Also, more importantly, if there are offspring born with no black or chocolate hairs, it is difficult to determine if merle without genetic testing or presence of blue in the eyes. They should be spayed/neutered to protect against accidental merle to merle breedings.
Testing sine length has made selection much easier in making breeding decisions to avoid potential health risks. While some breeds have a limited gene pool, poms do not, so breeders have many breeding options.
It is not rare for the color to be produced, actually no color in Pomeranians is rare. Producing quality merle pomeranians bred to the standard should be the goal. Any color breeding is challenging and merle is no exception. With a solid foundation, a discerning eye and the conviction to neuter/spay those produced whose quality is in question, it will not be long before they are common in the show ring and more widely accepted by others. Done correctly with the future of the breed in mind.
Below are the current AKC merle poms to title since the first in 2006.
Merle Champions
Merle Champions
Tybo (CH Honey Bears Tybo Express)
- 1st AKC Merle Champion- 9/2/2006
- Breeder/ Owner - Linda Zaluska
Oce-Ann (CH Pombreden Kauai Blue O-Ce-Ann)
- 2nd Champion - 11/5/2006
- Breeder - Owner - Barbara Breden
- Handler - Curtiss Smith
Prudence (GCH Blue Moon's Dear Prudence RN)
- 3rd Champion - 11/28/2009
- Breeder - Owner - Lori Kamrath
- Handler - Curtiss Smith
- Blue Eyed - Prior to Standard Revision
Tattoo (GCHS Blue Moon & Lana's LA Ink)
- 4th Champion - 7/6/2012
- Breeder - Owner - Lori Kamrath & Lana Price
- Handler - Curtiss Smith
Picasso (GCH Windsong's Merled Masterpiece)
- 5th Champion - 5/16/2017
- Breeder - Owner - Kathie Inman
- Handler - Lisa Goodman
Journey (GCH Magix'z Don't Stop Believing)
- 6th Champion - 6/30/2019
- Breeder - Owner - Handler - Trish Berger
Smoke (CH Georgia Peach's Smoke gets in your eyes)
- 7th Champion - 6/22/2019
- Breeder - Kimberly Beery
- Owner - Georgia Hoening
- Handler - Curtiss Smith
Geppetto (CH Windsong's When Dreams Come True)
- 8th Champion - 8/28/2021
- Breeder - Owner - Kathie Inman
- Handler - Lisa Goodman
Twist (GCHB HNH Artistic License From Foote Brook)
- 9th Champion - 9/19/2021
- Breeder - Crystal Corkins
- Owner - Handler - Darcie Confar
WINSTON (CH BLUEMOON & LANA'S THANK YOU FOR SMOKING)
- 10TH CHAMPION - 10/31/2021
- Breeder - Owner - Lori Kamrath & Lana Price
- Handler - Curtiss Smith
CASH (CH POMADORE'S RIGHT ON THE MONEY)
- 11TH CHAMPION - 2/19/22
- Breeder - Moona La Ayres
- Owner - Kathie Inman
- Handler - Lisa Goodman
Church (CH KC's Splash of Grace)
- 12th Champion 9/4/22
- Breeder - Kim Clayton
- Owner - Annie Coughlin
- Handler - Deb Wheeler
Remi (CH Diamond Hearts to 10,000 Lakes Merle Sensation)
- 13th Champion- 4/9/2023
- Breeder - Reashell Perkins
- Owner - Ania Shelde
- Handler - Lisa Goodman
Bentley (CH Nowland's A Star Can't Shine Without the Darkness)
- 14th Champion - 9/21/23
- Breeder/ Owner - Kimberly Nowland
- Handler - Lisa Goodman
Coral (CH Windsong's Exotic Coral Reef)
- 15th Champion - 11/11/23
- Breeder - Owner - Kathie Inman
- Handler - Lisa Goodman
Monet (CH Lady Monet)
- 16th Champion - 2/17/24
- Breeder - Lisa Lavon Fleming.
- Owner - Mary Olson & Monica Smith
- Handler - Jean N Gauchat
Korben (CH Korben My Man Dallas RN)
- 17th Champion - 3/11/2024
- Breeder - Owner - Tamala Jewel Schmidt
- Handler - Lisa Goodman
Holiday (CH Evensong's I'm Your Huckleberry)
- 18th Champion- 5/4/2024
- Breeder - Owner - Teresa G White
- Handler - Whitney Stacey
Kaeya (CH Vanity's Don't Get Frostbite)
- 19th Champion-6/172024
- Breeder - Ezmarae R Cardona
- Owner - Terrilion Martin & Mary Olson
- Handler - Terrilion Martin
Shredder (CH Windsong's Stormageddon)
- 20th Champion - 8/31/2024
- Breeder - Kathie Inman
- Owner - Jean M Towner
- Handler - Lisa Goddman
Paisley (CH Hamletgrove's Plot Twist)
- 21st Champion -
- Breeder- Owner - Handler - Darcie Confar
