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| Controversial Topic with the ASC and other Cocker Spaniel Breeders. Unable to be shown for conformation. Links @ left to Merle Information, this page is solely about the "Colors of Merle" |
Determing what color to register your Merle as.
Since a merle is an effect on any color of cocker spaniel it stands to reason that whatever color your
cocker spaniel would be were it not a merle is what you should (until the ASC allows AKC to register
them properly) choose to register your cocker spaniel as. Using Roan has lead to much confusion and
they aren't even all that similar in appearance and far from it genetically if you understand what a Merle is.
The term "blue merle" has been used to describe any merle cocker spaniel and it's inaccurate and that
makes it all the more confusing for people to understand. They look at a 'blue merle' and see no blue at
all (and maybe see a grayish blue sorta?) on the ones that would be correctly called 'blue merles'. Blue
Merle is also a term used to refere to very different colors from breed to breed. Merle in cockers has been
proven to be a different gene than in any other breed.
Further down on this webpage we will try to help you decide what color your cocker spaniel would be.
Since a merle is an effect on any color of cocker spaniel it stands to reason that whatever color your
cocker spaniel would be were it not a merle is what you should (until the ASC allows AKC to register
them properly) choose to register your cocker spaniel as. Using Roan has lead to much confusion and
they aren't even all that similar in appearance and far from it genetically if you understand what a Merle is.
The term "blue merle" has been used to describe any merle cocker spaniel and it's inaccurate and that
makes it all the more confusing for people to understand. They look at a 'blue merle' and see no blue at
all (and maybe see a grayish blue sorta?) on the ones that would be correctly called 'blue merles'. Blue
Merle is also a term used to refere to very different colors from breed to breed. Merle in cockers has been
proven to be a different gene than in any other breed.
Further down on this webpage we will try to help you decide what color your cocker spaniel would be.
I have been told by several people over the years that they are
concerned that by giving a 'clue' as to the merle status of their cocker
spaniel since it is not allowed for in the breed standard that the ASC will
somehow try to revoke the AKC Registration of their cocker spaniel and
refer to it as not being 'pure bred'. Doubt that can or would happen as
the AKC specifies that the definition of "Pure Bred" refers to 5 or more
generations of traced lineage of dogs of similar characteristics, or
resembling one another. It does take lots of money to establish a new
breed so that isn't really the answer to this registration controversy and
which is why breeds like the cockapoo aren't listed with the AKC even
tho they have been around for decades.
concerned that by giving a 'clue' as to the merle status of their cocker
spaniel since it is not allowed for in the breed standard that the ASC will
somehow try to revoke the AKC Registration of their cocker spaniel and
refer to it as not being 'pure bred'. Doubt that can or would happen as
the AKC specifies that the definition of "Pure Bred" refers to 5 or more
generations of traced lineage of dogs of similar characteristics, or
resembling one another. It does take lots of money to establish a new
breed so that isn't really the answer to this registration controversy and
which is why breeds like the cockapoo aren't listed with the AKC even
tho they have been around for decades.
These are my feelings on Merles and I have done enough research on them
that I feel I am well informed, no one is an expert and I did indeed take time to
study and research opposing viewpoints. I own 6 of them, they are as
healthy as any other cocker here as are their parents since I keep in touch
with their Breeders. I do hope my information on them has been helpful in
your interest on them and I am willing to try to answer any questions you
might have in regards to them. Please send me an e-mail.
Please as much as I love merles and talking about them, do not call me at
home late at night just to ask me what color your merle is or if you have a
Roan vs a Merle. I can't see them over the phone and will need you to email
me a photo so I can take a guess. I am willing to help as I feel its important to
educate everyone about them but also would like my home time respected.
that I feel I am well informed, no one is an expert and I did indeed take time to
study and research opposing viewpoints. I own 6 of them, they are as
healthy as any other cocker here as are their parents since I keep in touch
with their Breeders. I do hope my information on them has been helpful in
your interest on them and I am willing to try to answer any questions you
might have in regards to them. Please send me an e-mail.
Please as much as I love merles and talking about them, do not call me at
home late at night just to ask me what color your merle is or if you have a
Roan vs a Merle. I can't see them over the phone and will need you to email
me a photo so I can take a guess. I am willing to help as I feel its important to
educate everyone about them but also would like my home time respected.
Most of our information regarding merles comes from research online and talking to other Merle Cocker Spaniel Breeders.
A great resource for Merle Cocker Information
We do not endorse or recommend any of the topics, information or breeders associated with these websites,
we are simply giving you a source for additional information and caution you to verify everything for yourself.
We would never attempt to mislead you or have you simply accept our word for something so controversial.
We instead would like you to become more informed on the subject so that you can decide for yourself.
A great resource for Merle Cocker Information
We do not endorse or recommend any of the topics, information or breeders associated with these websites,
we are simply giving you a source for additional information and caution you to verify everything for yourself.
We would never attempt to mislead you or have you simply accept our word for something so controversial.
We instead would like you to become more informed on the subject so that you can decide for yourself.
What is a Merle? The term Merle refers to a certain "patterned" type of
American Cocker Spaniel. It is often confused and thought to be a color.
The merle gene typically lightens the dark part of the dog's coat and
produces a blue/grayish color of fur in certain unpredicatable areas. It can
also lighten all or part of an eye or both eyes. It is often "hidden" in buffs
or sables later on in the dog's life.
American Cocker Spaniel. It is often confused and thought to be a color.
The merle gene typically lightens the dark part of the dog's coat and
produces a blue/grayish color of fur in certain unpredicatable areas. It can
also lighten all or part of an eye or both eyes. It is often "hidden" in buffs
or sables later on in the dog's life.
| This website contains our photos and info about our Breeding Program and some other related information. We invite you to check out our website to learn more about us and the cocker spaniels here. Please use the links on the left or upper portion of each page to navigate this website. For those on slower speed connections we have a plain text Directory Page for your convenience. Kattery Kennels is owned and operated by Kat & Terry Reck and is not affiliated with any other identity. The graphics and material found within is the sole property of Kattery Kennels and is watermarked and copyrighted to Kat. Requests for further information should be directed to Info@KatteryKennels.com Please view our Conditions of Use Page. |
A few suggestions about registering your Merle with the AKC and how to help
future generations know that it is in fact a merle.
Some breeders we know ask that the word MERLE be part of the Registered name of each merle
puppy/dog. It has also been suggested that the word BLUE be used in the name to indicate
Merle, which is how many merle ancestors have been traced thru various pedigrees over time.
Since those options are a good idea for some we mention it here, however we also like to have a
certain 'ring' to the names we use for registration that doesn't always allow us to do that.
future generations know that it is in fact a merle.
- In order to better help identify any Merle dogs or puppies that come from KatteryKennels all
Merle offspring will be AKC registered with a different Prefix than non Merles. All
KatteryKennels Merle puppies Will say Kattery'Z vs Kattery'S. This idea was adopted by
breeders of White Dobermans which is another contraversial registration issue.
Some breeders we know ask that the word MERLE be part of the Registered name of each merle
puppy/dog. It has also been suggested that the word BLUE be used in the name to indicate
Merle, which is how many merle ancestors have been traced thru various pedigrees over time.
Since those options are a good idea for some we mention it here, however we also like to have a
certain 'ring' to the names we use for registration that doesn't always allow us to do that.
Not yet finished, work in progress 3/09