Dapple (Merle) vs Piebald markings
Piebald and dapple are both coat patterns in dogs, but they are distinct genetic traits. Piebald is a recessive pattern characterized by white patches on a colored background, while dapple (also known as merle) is a dominant pattern with a marbled or mottled effect. Double dapples, resulting from breeding two dapple parents, can have significant health issues, while piebalds, while carrying a higher risk of deafness due to white pigment, generally do not have the same severe health concerns as double dapples.
Dapple dogs carry the Merle gene. Merle is a genetic pattern in dog coats that causes diluted patches of color on a darker base coat, resulting in a mottled or marbled appearance. It’s caused by a SINE insertion in the PMEL gene. While visually striking, merle can be associated with health issues, particularly when two merle-patterned dogs are bred together.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
What is Merle?
Merle is a coat pattern characterized by irregularly shaped patches of diluted pigment on a base coat of a solid color.
The dilution primarily affects eumelanin (black pigment), causing it to appear lighter, such as gray or blue in a black dog, or diluted brown/liver in a brown dog.
The pattern can also affect eye color, with blue or odd-colored eyes being common in merle dogs.
Merle can also affect the skin, causing areas of diluted pigment or even pink skin.
Genetics of Merle:
Merle is controlled by a gene called PMEL, with a specific mutation called a SINE insertion.
Dogs inherit two copies of this gene, one from each parent.
A single copy of the merle allele (Mm) is enough to produce the merle pattern, making it a dominant trait.
Breeding two merle dogs (Mm x Mm) can result in offspring with two copies of the merle allele (MM), known as double merles.
Health Concerns:
Double merles (MM) are often predominantly white with merle patches and are more prone to various health problems, including:
Deafness: Double merles may be born deaf due to malformations in the inner ear.
Blindness: Eye abnormalities, such as small or malformed pupils, microphthalmia (small eyes), and other defects can lead to blindness.
Sun Sensitivity and Skin Cancer: Reduced pigment in the skin makes double merles more vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer.
Single merle dogs (Mm) may also have an increased risk of certain health issues, but the risks are generally lower compared to double merles.
Breeding Considerations:
Breeders should be aware of the potential health risks associated with breeding two merle dogs and should avoid it.
Breeding a merle dog to a non-merle dog is generally considered safer, as it reduces the risk of producing double merles.
Cryptic merles, dogs with the merle gene but no visible merle pattern, can still produce merle offspring and should also be considered when breeding.
Piebald dogs will carry the S locus gene. A piebald dog is characterized by a coat pattern of large, unpigmented (white) patches on a pigmented background, typically black or brown. This pattern is caused by a recessive gene and is not the same as albinism or leucism. Piebald patterns can vary greatly in the extent and location of the white patches, with some dogs having limited white markings and others being predominantly white.
What Is a Piebald Dog and What Do They Look Like?
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Genetics:
Piebald is a coat color pattern determined by a recessive gene, often associated with the MITF gene (S locus).
Spotting Patterns:
Piebald dogs exhibit a range of spotting patterns, including:
Irish spotting: Limited white markings on the paws, tail, face, chest, and belly.
Piebald spotting: More extensive white patches, sometimes covering most of the body.
Skin Pigmentation:
The skin underneath the white patches is unpigmented, while the skin under the colored areas is pigmented.
Recessive Trait:
Piebald is a recessive trait, meaning a dog needs two copies of the recessive gene (sp/sp) to express the piebald pattern.
Variations:
Even within the piebald pattern, the amount and distribution of white can vary significantly, with some dogs being nearly all white.
Health Considerations:
In some cases, extreme white spotting (where the dog is mostly white) can be associated with congenital deafness, especially if there is a lack of pigmentation around the head and ears.
Piebald 
Dapple 
If you have any questions regarding patterning and potential health concerns please contact us at 352-339-3877 or follow us on Instagram at @az_doxies
AZ Doxies is a breeder of minature dachshunds located in Crystal River, FL. Our dachshund puppies are all DNA tested as well as health tested. We service all of Florida and provide dachshund puppies to approved homes. We are quite picky with the homes we release a puppy to. Our focus is the well-being of the puppy. There are many breeders to choose from in Florida. We are a different than most dachshund breeders in Florida. We breed our doxies using dachshund standard and dachshund confirmation is paramount as well as favorable DNA and health traits. Having healthy, well adjusted dachshunds is our top priority. We offer minature dachshunds with different colors and patterns. Longhair and smooth coat doxies are available. However, we consider ourselves a small breeder. All of our dogs are inside of our home. We do not breed to get rich but for the love of the breed. We love to see joy on a young couple or childs face when they get a new doxie puppy.