Long haired merle Chihuahuas are a unique variation of Chihuahua breed. Merle Chihuahuas have unique and beautiful coat patterns known as merle. Chihuahua are known for their small size and big personalities. This dog is already an adorable dog and has become more attractive with long haired and merle coat patterns.
If you are curious to know about long haired merle Chihuahuas then you are at the right place. In this guide we will explore everything you need to know about this breed. So, letβs start!
What is a Merle Chihuahua?πΆ
Merle Chihuahuas are not recognized by the American Kennel Club. Merle Chihuahuas come in spotted or mottled coat patterns with black or blue splashes on the coat base known as a merle or dapple pattern that result of genetics.
The Merle is a gene that affects the pigmentations in dogs that can change the color of their coat and eyes, resulting normally in blue and more colors.
Merle Chihuahuas coat comes in many different colors:
Long Haired Merle Chihuahuaπ©
A long haired Chihuahua has long hair as compared to the short haired Chihuahua. Long haired Chihuahuas have long hair especially around the neck, ears, chest and tail. Their coat come in various colors like:
Some hairy Chihuahuas have markings like merle or brindle. The long haired Chihuahua have the same rounded skull and expressive eyes. They have large and erect ears.
A Quick look of long haired Chihuahuaπβπ¦Ί
Long haired Merle Chihuahuaπ±βπ€
Long haired merle Chihuahuas have long hair coats with a merle pattern that gives it an unique and adorable look. It’s a variation of the Chihuahua breed. Long coat Chihuahua is known for its long and silky coat and when they also have a merle pattern coat then it makes the long haired merle Chihuahua.
Are long haired merle Chihuahuas rare?π
Long haired Chihuahuas are not rare in Chihuahuas, they are a very common Chihuahua type. There are two coat varieties in Chihuahua: long haired and short haired. But there are variations in coat color and pattern.
However some coat patterns and colors are rare within Chihuahuas such as merle, spotted, lavender etc.
Merle coat patterns are rare in Chihuahuas and other dog patterns. The merle gene, symbolized by βMβ , causes the creation of a unique color pattern in dogs.
Long haired merle Chihuahuas TemperamentπΆ
Long haired merle Chihuahuas look lovely and have energetic personalities. They are alert, feisty, affectionate, social and intelligent dogs.
They are alert dogs and can make watch dogs because they bark on everything which they feel as threatening. They are very loyal to their owner and make strong relationships with one person in particular.
They are small in size but have big personalities and may be very demanding. They are prone to anxiety and stress and can be aggressive if not properly trained.
They are very intelligent dogs and learn new tricks and tasks very quickly but can be stubborn so patience and consistency is very essential during training.
Long haired merle Chihuahua health Issueπ
Like other dogs, long haired merle Chihuahua are also prone to many health issues. Here is the table that show the health issue of merle Chihuahua and long haired Chihuahua:
Due the health issues the Kennel Club do not allow the registration of merles:
Grooming needs of long haired Merle Chihuahuaβ
Long haired Chihuahuas, as you know have long, soft fine guard hair, need regular brushing. Brush their hair to remove loose hair and matting.
Bath your dog with dog-friendly shampoo, when dry gently brush its coat by using a spinning pin brush with rubber tips to prevent irritation.
Trimming their nails and cleaning their ears are also part of their cleaning. They can be prone to dental issues so make sure to brush their teeth with a gentle toothbrush regularly to prevent dental issues.
Some facts about long haired merle ChihuahuaπΆ
There are some facts of merle you donβt know:
1.Merle is a gene modifierπ
The merle Chihuahua is not only a beautiful and unique coat pattern. Merle is a gene modifier, meaning how other genes express themselves.
This means that the merle gene not only affects coat color but also can affect other body parts like dark and light spots beneath the coat and gene can affect eye color.
2.Merle may have blue eyesπβπ¨
Some merles have blue eyes. The merles that have blue eyes have increased sensitivity to sunlight. Unfortunately they can be prone to undesired health issues.
3.No one know the history of Merle ChihuahuaπΆ
In the merle Chihuahua community the debate continues about how long the merle gene has existed in the Chihuahuas. Some groups say that the gene dates back 70 years to the 1940s, but the other party concludes that the gene existed in the Chihuahuas for the past 15 years.
4.Merle Chihuahua can not be registered in some Kennel ClubπΎ
Until 2010 the merle Chihuahua was considered purebred and took part in shows. But in June 2010, the UK Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club stopped registration of merle Chihuahuas as purebred. So, merle Chihuahuas are no longer part of these groups.
Long haired merle Chihuahua Lifespanπ
The long haired merle Chihuahua has a long lifespan of 12 to 20 years. This can vary on various factors like diet, genetics, exercise and overall health.
What is a good home for long haired merle Chihuahuas?π₯
Final wordsπ
Long haired merle Chihuahuas are a unique variation of Chihuahua breed. Merle Chihuahuas have unique and beautiful coat patterns known as merle. Chihuahua are known for their small size and big personalities. This dog is already an adorable dog and has become more attractive with long haired and merle coat patterns.
Long haired merle Chihuahuas are a rare dog breed. Before adopting this dog breed you have to know everything about it like its health issues, temperament and needs etc. I hope our guide must have been helpful for you in this case. They are beautiful dogs so with proper care and love you can spend a happy and healthy life with your furry friend.
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