Breeding We're going to look at a few different example breedings to get a … Through artificial selection, dog breeders have created hundreds of unique breeds with a range of different physical characteristics. They look somewhat similar to Dalmatians. For example, the Harlequin Pinscher is a type of Miniature Pinscher with a merle-patterned coat. But it’s important to discuss the dangers of double merle. Because of the complexity that comes with breeding these dogs, you need to ensure you only acquire merle or harlequin dogs from knowledgeable breeders or shelters. But these vision defects vary significantly from one dog to the next. By Still, interpreting color combinations and patterns can be a bit subjective, so the only way to know for sure is through genetic testing. Border collies are typically black-and-white, but they do come in the merle flavor too. Harlequin dogs look striking and unique, but they’re unfortunately rare — the Great Dane and Beauceron are the only breeds that display this coloration. The contrast created by these two opposite colors can really make for an eye-catching canine. And while there are only two, both are incredibly unique with a look and temperament all their own. Originally developed to be herding dogs, these active canines require plenty of exercise and room to roam. Jack Russell Terrier These lively, brave dogs have … Note that there are two kinds of corgi, but while the Cardigan Welsh corgi occurs in a merle form, the Pembroke Welsh corgi does not occur with a merle coat. The one bearing the right coat with ideal color, patterns, and markings. The only two dog breeds with a harlequin coat recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club) are the Great Dane and Beauceron. The change in pigment production caused by the merle gene also affects vision. They are feisty and naturally determined, which makes them effective watchdogs. Beaucerons were originally developed to work, so they need lots of exercise. Harlequin Dog Coat . Blue Brindle: Brindle coats come in a variety of colors. While it is rare, the merle coloration does appear sometimes in Pomeranian lines. They are sweet and gentle, but they can still make great watch dogs. Several other breeds are sometimes called, “harlequin,” but are in fact a related and similar coat pattern known as merle. Health problems tend to occur in individuals with two dominant merle genes because they produce minimal pigment. However, instead of the larger grey patches, their harlequin gene makes their base coat entirely white. Such a dog would be Hhmm (heterozygous for harlequin, homozygous for non-merle), and if bred to a merle may produce harlequin puppies. Only two dog breeds can display the harlequin trait: Great Danes and Beaucerons. These patches really can’t be called “spots,” as they are often of varying sizes and shapes. Even some of the smallest countries in the world have created their very own dog breeds. Still, many breeds look similar to harlequin dogs, even if they don’t completely fit the bill. Microphthalmia is simply a condition in which one eye does not develop properly and is smaller than it should be alongside other malformations. What About Blue Brindle? Pit bulls are smart and loving dogs, who’re typically very easy to train. One of the studies Strain led (along with his colleagues at the Neuroscience Louisiana State University) found that partial hearing loss was found in 54.6% of double merles and 36.8% of single merles, while one out of 11 double merles were found to be entirely deaf. 7 years Their intelligence can make them challenging for novice owners, but those with plenty of four-footer experience often love them. If left to their own devices, these dogs will often try to make their own fun (read: chew up everything you own), which is the last thing you want. A Blue Harlequin Great Dane dog appears subtle and pleasant. The primary difference between a harlequin and merle Great Dane is in their base coat color. However, even two Brindle coated parents may give birth to Fawn coated puppies. A dog with the harlequin gene but no merle gene will just have a standard coat color. Since breeding two harlequin dogs can give rise to double merles. The Beauceron is a breed of dog that comes from France. Koolies need a quick weekly brushing, but they don’t have any grooming needs besides that. Harlequin is a pattern resulting from interaction of the Merle (M-locus) gene and the Harlequin (H-locus) gene on black pigment. other traits: easy to train, requires lots of grooming, prone to health issues, cold weather tolerant, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies, good hiking companion; colors: black, brown / chocolate / liver, white; patterns: tricolor; coat length/texture: long So, you’ll need to be willing to provide them with at least 90 minutes of moderate exercise a day. Truthfully, sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference. Breeds There are a few ways to distinguish these two similar breeds, but the easiest is to simply look for a tail; the Cardigan Welsh corgi has one, while Pembroke Welsh corgi does not. All living harlequin dogs have a harlequin gene and a non-harlequin gene. Catahoula Leopard Dog. Very rarely, the normally dark patches on a harlequin dog might end up being tan, which is referred to as a “fawnequin” coat. As with other mammals, a dog's fur has many uses, including thermoregulation and protection from cuts or scratches; furthermore, a dog's coat plays an important role in the showing of purebred dogs. It's no wonder these beloved pets have made their way into our hearts! However, you do have to be very careful about the other dogs you breed them with. Another study by Strain yielded similar results. Pomeranians are actually a fantastic breed for people who travel a lot, as they are tiny and take new activities in stride. Fact: Great Danes are the only dog breed that has this color variation. © Copyright 2021 by K9 Of Mine / Marrsipan Media LLC |, fantastic breed for people who travel a lot. This same study found that 26% of merle Catahoula leopard dogs were deaf, but 86% of double merles in other breeds were at least partially deaf. Unfortunately, dogs with this coloration are more likely to have several health problems. They are identified by their unique coat pattern. 08 of 10. Short and smooth Litter size. It is the most demanding coat color as well. e.g. It was created to herd livestock such a sheep and cattle. On top of this gray coat, they will also have sections of torn black patches. Several other breeds are sometimes called, “harlequin,” but are in fact a related and similar coat pattern known as merle. However, some merle dogs have very little merle on them, which can make them be mistaken for a non-merle. This means that a puppy can get miscarried as an embryo if he/she inherits two of these harlequin genes. To exhibit the harlequin coat pattern, a dog needs to have the harlequin gene. This is a massive canine that in the past had a much fiercer disposition. Because of that, it’s definitely possible that the cause for these issues is not related to the merle gene. It is spotted, with the only difference being in the basic coat color. May 29, 2020 October 28, 2016 by Adrienne Farricelli. However, American Staffordshire terriers and various pit mixes are sometimes called “pit bulls” too. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). Male: minimum 120 lb (54 kg) Female: minimum 100 lb (45 kg) Weight. Yes. Your Harlequin Great Dane is the most favored coat color of the breed nowadays. Out of those 22, eight were completely deaf, and two were partially deaf. Luckily, you can breed a harlequin dog with a canine that does not have this coat pattern and get some harlequin puppies, since the gene is dominant. They were even taken to Venezuela to be herding canines and have completed sled dog races in Canada. The gene that causes the harlequin coloration does not come without its health effects. Merle coat in dogs has been introduced into a range of other breeds. ... Small dog breed with curled tail and thick coat … Thinking about adding one to your family? The Great Dane and the Beauceron are the only two breeds that display harlequin coats. Height. Conversely, those with only one dominant gene produce a bit more pigment, which can help prevent many of these health problems. They are high-energy working pups, who require active families to remain happy. Harlequin; Maltese; Tuxedo; Calico; Tabby; Tortoiseshell; Bicolor (Piebald) Tabico; Torbie Labrador Retriever; In Guardian, a chocolate Labrador retriever is used for water search and rescue because of several factors that make them ideal for this special work. Individuals sporting either a harlequin or merle pattern in their coat may be covered in spots both large and small. A black-and-white bicolor cat. Brindle dogs are bred by the mating of two brindle coated Great Danes. However, their grooming needs vary depending on their Dachshund coat length; long-haired varieties need more brushing than short-haired ones. Harlequin dogs also have the merle gene. We will discuss both true harlequin dogs and their look-alikes below, and we’ll also dig into some of the health issues harlequin dogs often experience. Chihuahuas are also a very long-lived breed, which makes them great long-term companions. In some cases, these black patches may even appear blue. The allele E results in a black coat colour and the allele e results in a red coat colour. For a dog to exhibit the harlequin pattern, he must inherit a merle gene and a harlequin gene from his parents. This coloration is quite rare, but it does occur from time to time. It is not the same gene that produces harlequin coats in Great Danes. Here are... Like many other countries around the world, the Southeast Asian country of Thailand can be credited with developing its own very own dog breeds. It can be said that the harlequin coat pattern is related to the merle pattern. If a dog has a harlequin gene, it will appear in their coat coloration in most cases. Unlike a Harlequin Great Dane which is white and black, a Harlequin Beauceron is gray, black, and tan. breed group: working; breed size: large (61-100 lbs.) These are some of the smartest dogs in the room. Though somewhat rare, Cardigan Welsh corgis occasionally display merle color patterns. Most fawn Boxers will have a sleek brown coat with a black mask and white markings. She has rescued and cared for dozen of animals over the years, ranging from a one-eyed Shih Tzu to a disabled Chinese Water Dragon. They are known for jumping on people and “mouthing” them, much like huskies and some other breeds do. This Harlequin coat is made up of a white base coat color with irregular and random black patches as the secondary color. Such puppies will sadly die in utero and be reabsorbed by the womb. Most of these gentle giants have brown eyes, but dogs with the harlequin coat pattern can also have lighter blue eyes. In fact, many breeders will perform genetic testing to ensure that they don’t breed two merle dogs together. So here are the top cow-looking dogs and what you’ll... Horses are gallant creatures with long flowing tails and manes. They have a silky coat and come in four colors, namely tri-color, blenheim, ruby, and black and tan which is the most uncommon. Real cows belong on the farm and don’t make great pets, however dogs that look like cows do! The pattern of the coat can also be variable, with mixtures of Harlequin … However, other breeds do have the merle gene, which may cause them to be mistaken for a harlequin. However, other breeds do have the merle gene, which may cause them to be mistaken for a harlequin. However, seeing a dog that looks like a mop isn’t an everyday occurrence. August 28, 2020. These fuzzy dogs have a big personality – and somewhat of a cult following. Five Best Hairless Dog Breeds: No Hair Here! This unusual pattern is also eye incredibly eye-catching. Dog breeds with this coat pattern are very rare. Despite their looks, though, their puppies will still be prone to health problems. What breeds come with a harlequin coat? She currently lives in Cookeville, TN with her husband, daughter, and very opinionated Husky, Atlas. You should expect to give them plenty of room to run, go on a walk or two a day, and be prepared for plenty of playtime in the backyard. The harlequin coat pattern is rare in the world of dogs. Because of their large size, they usually make most intruders think twice, especially if they let out a loud bark. This means that it is possible for a dog to inherit any of three combinations: The first two possibilities yield good news, but the last causes a serious problem. Beaucerons are also big dogs, though they are a bit smaller than Great Danes. That being said it is still protective of its home and family. Basically, in the harlequin, a white background is present instead of the usual blue background as seen in merles. The most popular one is the great dane. But because Beaucerons are pretty rare in the U.S., the trait is most commonly associated with Great Danes. Afghans, Akitas, Boxers, French Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Great Danes, Greyhounds, Pug Dogs and Whippets). Dogs with double merle genes often have significantly more health problems than those with a single copy, and they are almost twice as likely to be blind or deaf. Great Danes are enormous dogs, who can stand as tall as 32 inches at the shoulder. Affectionate Dog Breeds – 6 Most ... a maximum of 59 kilograms while males can weigh up to 90 kilograms. Because of this, you should only breed merles with non-merles. July 26, 2020 George Gitau Dog Breeds 0 The Harlequin Great Dane is a unique and rare Dane variation and one of the 7 recognized great Dane colors. It is possible that many of the breeds are prone to these issues anyway, and that there isn’t any particular connection to the merle gene. It seems that merle dogs might have problems with their immune system as well. Beaucerons shed a lot and need to be brushed a few times a week, but they don’t need many baths, as their coats tend to stay pretty clean. Harlequin dogs have white between the darker patches of merle. This makes them tower over almost any other dog breed (except perhaps the Irish wolfhound). Luckily for cow fans there quite a few breeds ranging in size from tiny to extra-large, that have a cow-like appearance. This effect on pigmentation can lead to many different health problems. Dachshunds come in a “dapple” coloration, which is a version of merle. Kiddos are unlikely to hurt the dog, which means the chance of the dog snapping is generally low. Their similar looks are the result of function, and that function is speed. ... : Tall, strong build with upright or folded ears; the short coat can be black, brindle, fawn, blue, merle, or harlequin. The dingo is a species of wild dog that can be found in Australia. Even mixed dog breeds like the Chiweenie or Gerberian Shepsky have this color as well. Great Danes do shed seasonally, but their grooming needs are minimal. Let us know in the comments below! For example, microphthalmia, problems with eye pressure, and colobomas are all relatively common. Most harlequin Great Danes are as healthy as any other Great Dane. 08 of 14. Still, the combination of the collie’s beautiful locks and the merle pattern is quite a sight! Every Great Dane carrying the harlequin gene and the merle gene has a harlequin coat. Because of its huge size and power, the Great Dane needs proper training and socialization from an early age. 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