Blue Merle Pomeranian: A Complete Guide And Comprehensive Review

Blue Merle Pomeranian: An In-Depth Guide to This Striking Canine Companion

Blue merle Pomeranians feature a uniquely dazzling coat color pattern that sets them apart while also predisposing these hybrid dogs to certain health considerations prospective owners must understand fully beforehand through veterinary consult.

This comprehensive overview explores everything you need to know before adding one of nature’s paintbrushes on four legs into your family.

An Introduction to the Blue Merle Pomeranian

With shimmering royal blue and silver fur offset by vibrant copper points, the blue merle Pomeranian holds an unmistakable allure. However, casual fanciers intrigued by novelty often overlook their complex genetic realities influenced by intensive breeding earlier last century melding aesthetic diversity through mixed pedigrees.

Certain congenital vulnerabilities now emerge frequently spanning vision, hearing and dermatological integrity as these charismatic canines mature despite winning initial hearts through beguiling temperaments as affectionate house pets or therapy dogs. Their distinctive gait and glamorous coat make them appealing show prospects too when structural soundness aligns.

Yet spicing chromosomal roulette brings repercussions beyond fur deep potentially marring quality years shared with humans who underestimate expenses compounding over their decade plus lifespan. This necessitates thorough vetting by owners willing to advocate on behalf clement companions should they inherit troubles ahead rather than offering returns once convenient puppyhood wanes.

With attentive prevention and early intervention however, the steadfast affection and lively spirit of blue merle Pomeranians persists compensating for phylogenetic lotteries through unwavering loyalty brightening households fortunate to offer them best chances blooming.

This comprehensive guide outlines everything crucial understanding beforehand through consultation ensuring optimal alignment adding a blue merle Pomeranian into your family!

What is a Blue Merle Pomeranian?

A blue merle Pomeranian features a distinctive coat pattern genetically produced when two copies of a dominant merle gene variant manifest from parents both carrying the trait.

One merle gene lightens overall coat color while minimizing dark pigment intensity. But two paired merle genes prompt randomly distributed white fur patches interspersed across a muted background fur hue instead of the uniformly rich orange or red coats typifying non-merle Pomeranians.

These vivid white spotches contrast sharply against the dilute base color, which may present as grayish blue or silvery blue-gray. Interspersed throughout helps produce the visually striking salt-and-pepper sprinkle or marbled mosaic merle patterning.

While called blue, genetically these dogs still produce eumelanin pigment rather than actually having blue-hued fur. But their muted diluted coats create overall blueish optical effects – hence the terminology.

Additionally, blue merles frequently showcase vivid dark copper red points on their faces, tails, and legs contrasting the paler blue-speckled fur on the rest of their body. These dynamic markings resemble trim highlights amplifying the dazzle!

So in summary, blue merle Pomeranians bear arresting marbled fur with colors from charcoal to silver accented by eye-catching reddish-orange points – an undeniably bold ensemble sure to impress!

Blue Merle Pomeranian Genetics: A Primer

To help further demystify matters surrounding how blue merle Pomeranians inherit their trademark aesthetic, let’s unpack some key genetic details influencing coat colors and patterns in dogs.

In Pomeranians, as with all dogs, two important pigments exist: eumelanin and phaeomelanin. Eumelanin produces black, chocolate brown, or grayish blue fur while phaeomelanin imparts vivid orange or red hues.

The merle gene causes patchy pigment distribution as cells migrate during embryonic development. This dilution creates mottled spots or patches of lighter fur – usually grayish or diluted eumelanin – contrasting darker areas in the coat.

Merling stems from the heterozygous genotype Mm. But paired merle genes in homozygous dogs (MM) often prompts excessive white spotting that increases health issues. Reputable breeders avoid this.

The intensity of merling varies based not only on whether dogs carry one or two merle genes. Modifier genes also influence pigmentation dispersion producing extreme variation even within the same litter!

Some blue merles seem almost completely white except color around points and ears. While others may display darker gray and black mottling comprising most of the coat with minimal white.

Breeding blue merle Pomeranians always involves mating one merle parent with a non-merle partner to avoid compounding inherited vision and hearing vulnerabilities. Yet even single merle gene carriers battle increased morbidity over non-merled dogs.

The complexity challenges even savvy owners. But properly interpreted DNA panels now clarifying genotype status aid selective careful breeding upholding welfare minimizing suffering.

What Are the Unique Markings of Blue Merle Poms?

As outlined previously regarding their genetics, several distinctive phenotypic hallmarks set vivid blue merle Pomeranians apart from their non-merle counterparts.

Here are some of their most distinctive signature markings:

Mottled gray, black, silver, and white fur patches – Merling scatters haphazard pigmentation producing randomly interspersed color blocks making each blue merle Pomeranian utterly unique. The patched mosaic patterns range widely even within litters but always include sharply contrasting spotches.

Vibrant rich copper points – Most blue merles showcase vivid rust-hued fur around their eyes, muzzles, paws, legs and bottoms contrasting beautifully against the silvery blue marbling of their coats. These copper lowlights resemble foxy eyeliner and booties!

Heterochromia – Odd-eyed blue merles frequently sport one brown eye with another bright blue eye. While some may instead have flecks of blue amidst brown irises. This striking signature stems directly from concentrated merle genes lightening pigmentation in patches.

Pink or multi-colored nose and paw pads Instead of uniformly dark pigmented pads, blue merles often showcasealternating patches of black, pink, and brown paws pads plus speckled noses matching their fur. Ultra-dilute skin pigmentation producing pink paw pads stems from the loss of pigment cells during development.

While the phenotype spectrum spans vastly among blue merles, their hallmark randomly interspersed color blocks never blend smoothly. They always display uniquely dynamic yet cohesive patchwork fur mosaics afterward recognizable instantly.

Now that we appreciate their bold medley of colors, let’s turn next to unraveling the blue merle Pomeranian’s origins and ancestry informing their genetics today.

Tracing the History of Blue Merle Pomeranians

While the blue merle coloration pattern emerged in herding breeds like Australian Shepherds and Border Collies back in the 19th century, their genetic vestiges didn’t transfer to Pomeranians until much more recently through strategic outcrossing.

Purebred Pomeranians: The Early Years

Let’s first rewind towards understanding how contemporary Pomeranians developed from much larger Spitz working dogs into dainty household companions through selective breeding initiatives over the past two centuries condensing their frame down.

The breed traces origins to the Pomerania region’s indigenous Spitz dogs used traditionally for herding and drafting Arctic sleds. Their thick, harsh double coats insulated against frigid temperatures while ample substance aided their strength pulling sleds.

But by the mid 19th century, English nobles began maintaining less rugged Pomeranians as refined pets through importing smaller specimens then selectively breeding towards further reducing size while amplifying curled tails, ruffed necks and foxy facial features.

They also concentrated on manifesting vivid orange and red single coat colors uniforming pigmentation into rich, bright hues. By the early 1900s, purebred Pomeranians stabilized around 3-7 lbs as lively lap companions boasting centered compactness that nevertheless required protection against extreme cold due to their truncated coats.

While the smallest representatives continued garnering favor, throwbacks larger than 10 lbs emerged often dismissed from conformational showing.

Integrating the Merle Gene Through Outcrossing

Seeking to expand breed diversity, iconoclastic mid 20th century Pomeranian visionaries purposefully outcrossed larger specimens 10-15 lbs resembling earlier working lines to small Shetland Sheepdogs, themselves descendants of old-world herding Spitz breeds where merling originated evolutionarily.

These maverick breeders sought reintroducing longhaired genes existing in ancestral Pomeranians while also integrating the beloved merle pattern – considered a disqualification from purebred showing by rigorously traditional breed clubs aiming to uphold uniform orangey phenotypes but perceived as beautiful by dissenting breeders.

Their heterodox breeding produced larger longhaired merle puppies carrying Sheltie traits eventually rebranded initially Shelpom then Ewok Pom hybrids. Just a single merle gene persisted revealed only when mated another carrier thereby producing both merled and non-merled offspring in resulting litters.

Enough generations passing witnessed merle coat aesthetics and associated genetic underpinning permeating back significantly into formal bloodlines through successive integration of smaller individuals selectively eliminating long hair and other Sheltie characteristics. But merling endured as a newly resurrected pattern carried recessively then resurfacing in litters when merle carriers paired.

By the 1990s acceptance accelerated by judges less doctrinaire than past traditionalists allowing hard-won merle patterning recognition albeit still barred today from marquee Westminster Dog Show primetime television specials.

Bottom line, contemporary merle coat aesthetic presence in Pomeranians traces directly to bold deviation from orthodoxy 60 years ago courageously pioneering diversity expansion returning ancestral coat qualities lost through extreme breed diminution. And the blue merle variation has captivated fans ever since!

Blue Merle Pomeranian Temperament and Care Recommendations

Beyond their standout looks, prospective owners wonder what blue merle Pomeranian personalities and activity requirements entail before adopting one. Let’s explore their hallmark traits.

Typical Blue Merle Temperament

Despite their petite stature, blue merles brim with lively vigor eager charming new friends whenever possible. They relish prancing proudly alongside families outdoors as enthusiastic walking companions then cuddling cozily indoors afterwards.

Retaining classic extroverted and inquisitive Pomeranian dispositions, blue merles bond closely with respectful children, seniors, singles and couples alike – though skittishness occasionally surfaces needing patient positive reinforcement. They also thrive among other pets when properly socialized young.

But reactive barking aimed defending home turf from unfamiliar passers by and guests may require behavioral modification for amenable cohabitation in apartments or suburban homes unless residing rurally isolated on acreage keeping strangers at bay satisfies territorial instincts warding phantom threats.

Providing attentive companionship helps prevent separation anxiety and boredom induced nuisance nibbling or incessant yapping also – so plan on incorporating blue merles fully into daily activities and not relegating them alone constantly. With caring dedication and training, most adapt well as therapy dogs delivering affection enthusiastically too!

Overall the happy temperament and middling activity level of most blue merle Pomeranians suits adaptable indoor family life augmented with sufficient playtime, mental stimulation and moderate exercise daily.

Blue Merle Exercise Needs

While eager jogging or hiking partners blue merles do not make given their short legs and delicacy, they certainly cherish brisk walks or backyard play sessions burning pent energy avoiding restlessness. Consider a securely fenced yard too for safe off leash roaming supervision free.

If left home alone over 8 hours routinely crated inside, arrange midday pit stops giving bathroom breaks preventing Accidents. But never leave any Pomeranian outside unsupervised where they risk overheating rapidly, territorial scuffles or thievery given diminutive size. The safest spots remain nearby underfoot oblivious preserving their welfare and longevity given inherited respiratory sensitivity despite thick ruffs adorning their foxy faces heightening heat hazards.

Providing puzzle toys stuffed with treats challenges their intelligence too while cuddly beds grant comfort napping when cozy temptations strike by afternoon. Keep merles lean avoiding unhealthy weight gain through measuring meals using recommended dietary guidelines on product packaging to support joint health and prevent diabetes.

With basic exercise needs met plus environmental safety ensured, most blue merle Pomeranians thrive 15 years or longer bringing boundless affection wherever they accompany responsible caretakers able tending their intrinsic vulnerabilities ahead. Let’s explore those next.

Common Health Issues in Blue Merle Pomeranians

Prospective adopters wonder what medical vulnerabilities frequently impact the lives of blue merle Pomeranians wielding outsized health burdens on caring owners through their lifespan.

Let’s outline the most prevalent issues below influence by their concentrated merle genetics:

Vision Defect Risks

While uniquely beautiful, the distinctive vivid blue eye coloration of many merles stems directly from lack of pigmentation paling parts of the iris. Heterochromia with one blue eye and one brown eye results from localized pigment diminishment.

But when the optical nervous system forms deprived of sufficient melanin, improper connections risk blind spots, detached retinas, incomplete development, lens dislocation, cataracts, glaucoma and progressive blindness when both copies of merle genes delete eye pigmentation dramatically.

Around 5 years old vision troubles escalate for vulnerable blue merles often requiring medications controlling eye pressure and cataract surgery restoring sight temporarily before degeneration resumes relentlessly until blindness eventually ensues. Heart wrenching weeping eye discharge also plagues certain elderly individuals compounding struggles peering their surrounds.

Committed owners do whatever possible easing discomforts through veterinary ophthalmology interventions but expenses tallied fostering 12 year old specimens nearly blind and bumping into walls while losing learned spatial awareness constantly breaks hearts witnessing the carnage wrought by callous commercial breeders churning out blue merles without sharing fateful truths about their long term welfare blinded by profits over ethics. It’s utterly unconscionable considering the suffering left in their wake shattering families helplessly observing marked decline robbed of dignity their final years.

My advice? Ask direct questions about parent eye testing results and don’t trust undocumented claims. Reputable breeders perform pre-breeding ophthalmic exams catches defects early excluding affected dogs from breeding pools given severe inherited propensity transmitting these largely unavoidable conditions despite the most loving home care later in life.

Without documentation have veterinary specialists examine blue merle puppies before committing fully understanding likely medical costs and heartaches ahead trying in vain to preserve precarious eyesight eventually surrendered to oppressive genetics. Choose carefully then cherish each year vision graces their presence until storms arrive…

Deafness Manifestations

Absent pigment cells migration during embryonic development also frequently affects hearing capacity and balance functions increasing likelihood for innate deafness or predisposition later in life due to melanin deficiencies decimating proper formation of the cochlea, vestibular canals and auditory processing neural pathways in the brain.

While some blue merles show now outward symptoms initially, progressive high frequency hearing deterioration often starts by age 7 years before profound deafness advances by 10-12 years when most noises remain undetectable frustrating owners trying in vain communicating affectionately face to face no longer eliciting Pavlovian responses expected.

Vision disabilities compound struggles confused by surrounding stimulus hearing impaired individuals cannot localize directionally while maintaining situational awareness or reacting reflexively danger avoidance. Together sensory hindrances sap confidence navigating once familiar environments transforming into terrifying foreign soundless mazes losing independence forcing reluctant reliance others intervening preventing accidents waiting to happen. It’s deeply sobering recognizing beloved dogs depending complete care losing faculties permitting self autonomy.

Make no mistake – congenital deafness directly spawned by rampant merle gene propagation guarantees trauma ahead witnessed through the veil of tears ultimately unless heirs intervene terminating lineages mercifully. But our actions now clearly preventing more damage matters most. There are always kinder roads to beauty beckoning beyond the superficial…

Dermatological Disorders

Even when lacking any evident hearing or vision deficits, many mature blue merle Pomeranians nevertheless battled chronic skin disorders requiring demanding upkeep and medications attempting alleviating irksome repeated episodes.

Manifesting frequently around age 3-5 years, allergic dermatitis triggered by everything from food proteins to pollen and dust mites produces intense aggravation expressed through obsessive biting, chewing, licking, scratching and rubbing hoping vainly quelling insatiable sensations bombarding their epidermis.

Dark skin surrounding eye orbits often endures the worst assaults by front paws trying futilely escaping external allergen onslaughts never silencing entirely. Chests, bellies, paws and armpits suffer similar fates leaving thickened calloused hairless patches behind sprinkled scaly dandruff endlessly itching maddeningly.

Relentless seasonal struggles grate exhausted owners now trying assorted holistic home remedies and prescription interventions including steroids, antibiotics, antifungals, antihistamines, omega fatty acid supplements, medicated baths and shampoos attempting mitigating skin infernos flaring unpredictably.

They research specialized limited antigen and hydrolyzed protein dog foods costing fortunes while experimenting combinations various drugs praying finally unlock lasting relief after years battling another outbreak. It’s heartbreaking helpless witnessing ever recurring savage skin disruptions through no fault their own when genetics load dice hopelessly against sensitive merle descendants decades past.

If considering a merling Pomeranian, ask probing questions about skin health histories realizing you must prepare mentally, financially and logistically devoting yourself their lifelong dermatological care management plan in perpetuity. For some handling extreme needs beyond coat and toe nail grooming every 6 weeks overwhelms limitations now able compromising daily. There’s no shame admitting so beforehand instead discovering later overwhelmed. Prioritize welfare above all acquiring any dogs through shelters always needing homes or reputable breeders absolute transparent health background details and guidance support networks attached.

Blue Merle Pomeranian Exercise and Training Tips

While prospective blue merle Pomeranian owners now appreciate the increased veterinary demands predisposing their special companions towards certain chronic illnesses decades ahead, properly raised and socialized merles nevertheless make devoted pleasurable pets when respected for their vulnerabilities requiring accommodation through proactive care.

I’ll outline some key exercise, training and enrichment pointers improving odds favoring sustained wellness below: