Also, I know of darker chis that ended up having hidden merle genes...it is not always in the whites or lights... Marsha
----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.
