I know what you are saying, but you make it sound as if it is ok for anyone to
go out and start breeding merles, and it isn't. Breeding merles is something
that can be dangerous if not done right, and thus should be left to those who
have really studied up on it. Maybe you are one of those person's, but many
people reading this would not be. I am friends with several merle breeders and
have learned a lot about it from them, but still, no way would I consider
myself educated enough in them to safely breed them. IT CAN be done safely, but
not everyone is qualified...I'm not. Just like breeding small chis. I can
safely breed a smaller chi because I have done my homework and have had the
experience, but there are a lot of breeders out there who know they do not have
the experience or knowledge to safely breed a small chi. An ethical breeder
will know their own limits. But the main thing here is to make sure that those
who don't know any better, do not get the idea that it is ok for them to just
go out and breed a merle....
Marsha
----- Original Message -----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: Chihuahuas@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2007 9:16 PM
Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] CKC versus AKC registration - previously "Question"
In a message dated 2/25/2007 9:05:46 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL
PROTECTED] writes:
That is partially true. A merle can be safely bred, but it needs to be done
only by someone who knows what they are doing and knows there lines well. While
it is true that a merle to non-merle should be safe, there is always the
possibility that the one you thought was a non merle has a hidden merle gene. I
just don't want someone thinking they can go get a merle and a non merle and
breed with no problem...it is something best left to someone who knows what
they are doing
Marsha
You should always know your lines. it's not rocket science. Hidden merles
are merles whose coat color is very light so the lighter pigmentation of the
merle coat doesn't show through as well. This is why you shouldn't breed light
color breeds nor those chis with light colored lines to merles. If you do,
always assume that any resulting pup with a light color is a merle for breeding
purposes. It is better to make that assumption than to make the mistake of
breeding a hidden merle to a merle. JMHO.
BTW, it is not ALWAYS a possibility to breed with a hidden merle. Hidden
merles are only light in color. Keep to the darks, you should be okay.
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