Description

Are red merle Australian shepherds rare?

Red Merle Aussie Puppy is a recessive gene, so that means it is a rarer coat color than the other Aussie colors. Aussies can inherit one of two coat patterns. The first is merle.

Red Merle Aussie Puppy Health

As we have seen, the merle color gene can be problematic for an Australian Shepherd when both parents contribute the gene to a puppy. This is called a “double-merle” and it is associated with a variety of potential health issues. Especially ear and eye problems.

However, the single merle dog, while less at risk than double merle, is also a little more likely to suffer from these problems than a solid colored dog

Red or double red merle Australian Shepherd dogs who inherit blue eyes and/or a predominantly white spectrum color coat can also be more sensitive to sunlight and more at risk for eye and skin damage, sunburn, and sun exposure-related cancer.

Red Merle Australian Shepherd Grooming

The Australian Shepherd as a breed grows a thick, long, wavy, double layer coat in adulthood. True working Aussies really need this coat. It has a water-resistant outer layer and inner insulating layer, for protection against the elements.

The Australian Shepherd also needs this coat to be protective year-round. This means that when the seasons change twice a year, you can expect your dog to start shedding….and shedding….and shedding. These shed cycles replenish the coat layers so they can do their job well.

Otherwise, there are no real differences between black, blue merle, red or red merle Australian Shepherd grooming and coat care needs.

Exercising your Red Merle Australian Shepherd

One of the biggest aspects of caring for your Aussie is giving them the exercise they need. These are high-energy dogs!

They won’t be content to sit around on your couch and watch TV. They also aren’t happy running around the yard alone.

Wondering how big a red merle Aussie can get?

Red merle Australian Shepherds can come in both the standard size and the miniature size.

The miniature dog is about 20-30 pounds and anywhere from 14-18 inches at the shoulder.

The standard size gets anywhere from 35-70 pounds and 18-23 inches at the shoulder. Females are typically on the smaller end, while males tend to be heavier and taller.

Red Merle Australian Shepherd Temperament

There is a reason the Australian Shepherd is so popular. It is the 16th most popular purebred pet dog in the United States (out of 193 purebred dog breeds). These dogs are smart, athletic, fun-loving, energetic and very hard-working. Owners often describe the Aussie as a “Velcro” dog. They are reserved towards strangers but incredibly loving and affectionate towards “their” people.