A Merle Goldendoodle is one of the most sought-after dogs around the world. Prospective Doodle owners aren’t interested in Merles simply because of their loving and friendly personality or their high intelligence, but also because of the striking coat pattern that sets them apart from other dogs.
If you don’t own a Merle Doodle yet, you’ll likely want to after reading about these adorable dogs below.
What Is a Merle?
The Merle-patterned coat is one of the most gorgeous coat colors any dog can have. They are quite rare in Doodles and result from very specific and thorough breeding methods. The Merle gene alters the way color expresses itself on dogs. It causes an irregular dilution of color on the dog’s coat, resulting in a mottled or marbled pattern. Merle can also modify eye color and coloring on the nose and paw pads.
A dog with this coat pattern is called a Merle dog and is found naturally in such dogs as the Shetland Sheepdog, Australian Shepherd, and Border Collie. The Merle commonly appears as a bluish gray (diluted black) coloring or a reddish (diluted brown) coloring, which resembles liver. The dog is usually white-colored with these Merle patterns on them.
Some dogs appear to be non-Merle or have these small patterns of Merle, which is often not noticed. They may not have the Merle phenotype, but they have the genotype and can produce a Merle puppy.
Let’s break this down a bit. The Merle gene is made of two alleles. One is dominant (M) while the other is recessive or non-Merle (m). A dog only needs one dominant Merle gene from a parent to become a Merle dog. The Merle gene determines the phenotype (how the dog will look).
Most times, a dog might have the dominant Merle gene, but it may not be visible. This is called Cryptic or Phantom Merle. Two Merle dogs should not be bred together because this can lead to genetic defects in the offspring. Thus, genetic tests are necessary when breeding a Merle dog.
A Merle Goldendoodle is usually a mix of a Merle Poodle and a Golden Retriever. Golden Retrievers are not Merle carriers.
Breeding Merle Goldendoodles
It’s safe to say that Merle Goldendoodles are one of the cutest breeds and are a common dream dog. On the other hand, what can become not so desirable and even disastrous is when you make two Merle dogs breeding pairs.
Breeding two Merle dogs can result in their puppies going deaf because of a lack of hair pigment produced in the inner ear, having sight issues or going completely blind, or other health issues.
Physical Characteristics of Merle Goldendoodles
The physical traits of Merle Goldendoodles depend on the type, size, etc. of the dog. Some Goldendoodles will have wavy, curly coats, while others might spot a straight coat. What is guaranteed no matter what type of Doodle you get is absolute adorableness.
We will go over these physical characteristics based on the Merle Goldendoodles’ sizes. There are so many sizes of Goldendoodles because of the specific gene of the Poodle they inherit. Poodles vary in size, which affects their offspring, unlike Golden Retrievers, who generally have just one particular size.
1. Standard Merle Goldendoodle
- Can grow up to 21-24 inches
- Weighs 45-75 pounds or even 100 pounds in some cases
- Requires a larger space to be active
- More grooming and maintenance are required because of their size
2. Medium-Sized Merle Goldendoodle
- Can grow up to 16- 20 inches
- Weigh 30-45 pounds
- Require as much grooming as the standard Merle Goldendoodle
3. Miniature Merle Goldendoodle
- Grows up to 12-15 inches tall
- Weighs about 15-30 pounds
- One of the most popular sizes
- Perfect for families with children
4. Toy Merle Goldendoodle
- About 11 inches tall
- Weighs around 15 pounds or less
- A great choice for first-time puppy owners
- Doesn’t need a lot of maintenance
5. Miniature Blue Merle Goldendoodle
- 12-15 inches tall
- Weighs 15-30 pounds
- Perfect for people with small apartments or limited space
It’s not just the size and weight of a Merle Goldendoodle that’s highly dependent on the Poodle parent, but also the type of coat and color. Golden Retrievers are commonly known for their coats being a fine shade of gold, cream-white, or in some rare cases black. Poodles have a more varied coat pattern. Popular colors include white, brown, silver, apricot, etc.
The way genetics work in dogs is quite complicated but very interesting when put simply, which is what we will do to help you better understand.
Sometimes, a Goldendoodle might have a dominant gene from the Golden Retriever and come in a color pattern just like it, and other times, it may be the Poodle’s genes. In most cases, the Poodle carries the dominant gene for the coat color, which explains why there’s a countless amount of color on a Merle Goldendoodle.
Although rare, it’s possible to have a puppy with colors such as gray, blue, or multicolored. The reason is that the puppy was bred from different generations of Doodles and has received these recessive color traits.
Merle Doodles can either have curly coats, wavy coats, or straight ones, typically from the Retriever parent. Their coat requires daily brushing because they have a double coat: a short and thick undercoat and a longer one on top called guard hairs. They commonly have brown eyes and a nose that can be grayish-black, black, or sometimes brown.
Personality of Merle Goldendoodles
These pet breeds are highly intelligent, so they can learn some impressive tricks and become trainable, loving companions. They are suitable for almost everybody, including children. They are also really friendly, a trait said to have been passed on to them by their parents.
They are very playful and require a medium amount of exercise. Merle Goldendoodles are a big fan of hiking or daily walks. These dogs are incredibly energetic, and they can get hyperactive sometimes, so they require equally agile owners.
Goldendoodles have a strong loyalty to their owners but are not too protective in an alarming way. They get along well with other dogs and animals, and they are laid back with a low prey drive. They bark only when necessary, making them perfect for homes, especially if you have cranky neighbors.
Merle Goldendoodles need a medium to high level of maintenance, depending on the kind of dog you have. They usually love water, so bath time shouldn’t be a struggle. They are also great swimmers, which makes for another form of exercise.
They love to socialize with everybody. If you want to make your Merle Goldendoodle happy, keep them active.
The Blue Merle Goldendoodle
This type of Merle Goldendoodle is bred from a Merle Poodle and either a Golden Retriever or a Goldendoodle.
Their coat is a mixture of silver and gray, but to us, it looks like the color blue against their fur. Hence why they are called Blue Merle. The Merle patterning is a result of a dominant gene from one parent, which often covers most of the main color of the other parent.
Oftentimes, one of the parents will be a black dog with a gray or silver marbling that carries the Merle pattern. A Blue Merle’s adult coat can become lighter or darker as they mature.
In physical characteristics, they are very similar to the traditional Goldendoodle. As we’ve mentioned, their size varies, as does their weight. However, what’s peculiar about them is their striking bright blue eyes.
Their temperament is the same as their parents, and if your Merle was bred from an Australian Shepherd, prepare for them to have an abundance of energy. Australian Shepherds are known for being hard workers, so you’d have to look for things to occupy your Merle Goldendoodle’s attention.
Interesting Facts About Merle Goldendoodles
- They have several nicknames, including Goldenpoo, Goldiepoos, etc.
- The American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize any Doodle as a breed of dog because they are crossbred.
- All Goldendoodles are hypoallergenic to a certain extent. Some generations hardly trigger allergies.
- The Goldendoodle didn’t become popular until the 1990s.
- They are great therapy and comfort dogs. There are instances where Goldendoodles were used to comfort people at a funeral.
- Although they are quite fluffy and like to relax on the couch, Merle Goldendoodles are actually athletic (less so for the Toy and Miniature types) and very playful. They make a great playmate for anybody.
- They don’t make good guard dogs because of their friendly nature.
- Their life expectancy is 10-15 years, although some Doodles have lived up to 17 years.
Merle Goldendoodles and Separation Anxiety
When we say a dog has separation anxiety, we’re talking about a dog who’s too dependent on its owners or too attached. The signs a dog has separation anxiety are usually obvious. They are always around and stay close, and they rarely do anything on their own. These signs can be quite disastrous for both you and the dog, especially because you can’t take your dog everywhere with you.
Other signs will include house soiling, destruction of furniture or things around the house when their owners are away, becoming extremely vocal or restless, going through withdrawal, a low appetite, abnormal salivating, etc. When their owners return home, these dogs are often excited, and not to be dramatic, they literally cry in joy.
On the other hand, you need to know that not all of these symptoms mean your dog has separation anxiety. For example, dogs like Huskies are naturally vocal, and typically, when you get back home, it’s normal for your dog to be excited. But if you notice these signs along with others, there’s a high chance your pup has separation anxiety.
There are several reasons why a dog may develop separation anxiety, and of them is because your dog doesn’t have a clear view of you or there was a sudden change in routine.
Dogs should know when it’s playtime, time for a walk, training, feeding, and so on. They should also know when you will be away from home. You should have a clear and consistent schedule with your dog.
Along with this, when you leave the house, your dog is all alone, and if you have it caged, this can trigger anxiety because they feel trapped. This is one of the reasons why a dog may bark at any sound.
When you leave your dog, you should make sure they are in a comfortable and safe environment where they can move around freely. Keep toys or anything you know that will gain their attention readily available to distract them while you’re gone.
Dogs may also develop separation anxiety from traumatic experiences. Older dogs who have developed blindness or hearing loss may also be susceptible to separation anxiety.
Goldendoodles are one of the dogs prone to separation anxiety. This doesn’t mean that every Doodle has this, but because of their loving and friendly nature, this might happen. Merle Doodles are generally independent and fine with napping on the sofa for hours, but at the same time, make sure you’re doing everything to prevent separation anxiety in your dog.
How to Care for Merle Goldendoodles
Extreme care should be taken with a Merle Goldendoodle. It is widely assumed that Merle dogs are generally unhealthy, but this is just a myth. They tend to have certain health problems, but a Merle Goldendoodle can live a good, long life if they are properly looked after. Some of the ways you can care for your Merle Doodle are:
1. Good Nutrition
Every dog needs rich food to maintain good health. Food with artificial ingredients should be avoided. Focus more on a healthy amount of carbohydrates, healthy fat, and proteins like beef, chicken, or turkey.
The amount of food you serve your dog should be based on its age and size. You can follow the directions on your dog food can or simply ask your vet. Merle Goldendoodles are prone to bloating, which is common in Golden Retrievers. Feeding them dry potato food and other food for a sensitive stomach will aid in making this manageable.
2. Proper Grooming
You can bathe your Merle Goldendoodle every month or twice a month, depending on the type of dog you have. Brush their teeth at least twice a week or even three times to prevent the buildup of bacteria and mouth odor.
Their coat should be brushed often even though it doesn’t shed regularly. Clip their nails from a young age so they get used to it. Pay special attention to their ears to prevent ear infections.
3. Keep Them Active
These Doodles need equally active owners eager to participate in playtime or walks. A Merle Goldendoodle is content with playing fetch in the backyard, but you should be ready for your arms to hurt from the number of times you have to throw the ball.
Merle Goldendoodles need their owner to be actively engaged during exercise. They need constant socialization with other people and dogs. When you don’t do this, they get bored and can withdraw.
4. Challenge Them
This particular dog is very intelligent and down for anything. Training them is quite easy, and they are eager to please. Throwing a few tricks into the mix wouldn’t hurt.
5. Praise Them
Whenever your Merle Doodle does something that pleases you, don’t hesitate to let them know through praises or treats. Merle Doodles crave this kind of thing, and it would undoubtedly make them happy. Remember to be kind to them at all times, even when they get their training wrong. We should reciprocate their gentleness.
Conclusion
A Merle Goldendoodle is a great lap dog that will brighten up anyone’s day. Take them on a walk, and you’ll notice that they’re colorful, active dogs that will attract a lot of stares. On the flip side, they are quite expensive to buy. Calculate the cost of buying them, vet fees, and care necessities before committing to owning one.
If this is not a problem for you, you should consider getting one to keep your house lively and your day fun.
Don’t forget to read our collection of articles for tips on caring for your doodle.