Blue Merle Australian Shepherd: A Complete Dog Breed Guide

Here are some important things you should know before buying a Blue Merle Australian Shepherd!

Highly active, intelligent, and gorgeous-looking dogs.
Can you guess the dog’s breed name?
Yes, we’re talking about the beautiful Blue Merle Australian Shepherd. Known for their charming and friendly nature, these canines are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.

The blue Merle Australian Shepherd, also known as Australian Shepherd, blue Merle Aussies, or blue Merle Aussie Shepherds, are wonderful family pets.If you’re planning to adopt a puppy but can’t decide which one or simply want to know more about the blue Merle Australian Shepherd, you’ve come to the right page!

We’ve also described the key differences between a Blue Merle Australian Shepherd and a Blue Merle Border Collie. And still, if you have any doubts, read the last section of the blog, where we have answered some of the most commonly asked questions.
Now let’s start with the breed summary.

Blue Merle Australian Shepherd: Overview

The blue Merle Australian Shepherd isn’t a different dog breed but is a common term used to describe a particular coat color of the Australian Shepherd breed.

This canine has a coat in a color combination of blue, gray, black, and white. Some blue Merle Aussies also have patches of brown on their hind legs and back. This is one of the most famous colors of the Australian Shepherd breed right now!

Here is the Overview :

Blue Merle Australian Shepherd: Physical Appearance

Australian Shepherds are known as one of the most beautiful dog breeds around the globe. The pictures show that Blue Merle Australian Shepherds have some amazing features such as eyes, coats, and size.

These canines have mostly blue eyes, brown eyes, and amber eyes.

And if you see a blue Merle Aussie Shepherd with one eye blue and one eye brown, don’t get too surprised!

This rarely happens, but few dogs have these kinds of eye colors. These canines also have short, floppy ears with cute noses. They also have a Double-layer coat in a medium length and a long tail which they often wag to show affection towards their owners.

How big do blue Merle Australian shepherds get?

Below is the full grown blue Merle Australian shepherd size chart:

Blue Merle Australian Shepherd Physical Features	Male	Female
Height	20 to 23 inches (51 to 58 cm)	18 to 21 inches (46 to 53 cm)
Weight	50 to 65 pounds (23 to 29 kg)	40 to 55 pounds (18 to 25 kg)

Australian Shepherd: Coat Colors

Now let’s talk about the different colors of the Australian shepherd breed. You can find this breed in other coat colors as well, such as:

• Merle Australian Shepherd
• Red Merle Australian Shepherd
• Red tricolor Australian Shepherd
• Black Australian Shepherd
• Black tricolor Australian Shepherd
• Red Australian Shepherd

Blue Merle Aussies: Types

As we already mentioned, blue Merle isn’t a specific color; we actually refer to this as a base color of the breed. So, on the basis of this, there are four types of distinct variations of the Blue Merle Aussie. All of them are unique and beautiful in their own way.

1. Solid Blue Merle Australian Shepherd
2. Blue Merle Tri Australian Shepherd
3. Blue Merle & White Australian Shepherd
4. Blue Merle & Tan Australian Shepherd

Let’s see what each variation looks like.

1. Solid Blue Merle Australian Shepherd

As its name suggests, this variation has no other color markings on the coat. Even though they’re commonly heard or read over the internet, these are still not that common. These canines have a base color of gray and are available in many shapes and sizes.

2. Blue Merle Tri Australian Shepherd

The Blue Merle Tri-Colored Australian Shepherd is the most common among the four variations. These canines look so beautiful with their tri-color coat combination. So, basically, these have a base coat of blue Merle with black patches on a gray and white coat.

3. Blue Merle & White Australian Shepherd

This variation has a Merle base coat with only white markings. After Blue Merle Tri Australian Shepherd, these are the second most popular among the four. These dogs don’t have copper and tan markings on the fur; instead, they have white markings.

4. Blue Merle & Tan Australian Shepherd

These canines only have tan/copper markings (black patches on gray fur) on a blue Merle base coat. This is a unique coat color combination, which is rare! All four variations are adorable, so don’t be picky; get whatever is available at that time! 🙂

Now let’s move on to the more important part of the breed, which is personality, because no matter how cute and calm a dog looks from afar, this can be the opposite.

Blue Merle Aussies Shepherds: Personality & Temperament

In one sentence, if we have to describe the temperament of the blue Merle Aussies, it will be this:

These dogs are calm, cute, and cuddly creatures!

Yes, blue Merle Australian Shepherds are highly active, lovable, and protective dogs. They become extremely alert around strangers or in situations when they sense danger to their family.

This proves that these smart dogs are perfect family pets. They also behave friendly towards other pets and kids. And another great thing about a blue Merle Australian shepherd puppy is that you can easily train them from the early stages.

Whether you’re living in a mansion or a two-bedroom apartment, you can have this dog as a pet. These lovely canines can easily adjust to any environmental conditions. First, however, you have to make sure to give them enough playtime and activities.

Blue Merle Australian Shepherd: Training

You don’t have to worry about the training of the blue Merle Australian shepherd dog. These canines are highly trainable and obedient and will follow your instructions. You can easily train them to have special skills for sports competitions, jobs, and any other tasks. These dogs are also good at sniffing and chasing things. So, be ready to run behind them whenever they notice a cat or squirrel.

Try to train them with positive reinforcement and a training schedule. Even if the dog behaves rudely and stubbornly, you have to handle them patiently. You can give them treats and toys to get their attention.

Blue Merle Aussies: Exercise

If you want to keep your couch and other furniture safe, you have to plan something for daily activity! If your pup doesn’t spend time playing and exercising, they can become destructive and completely chew your books, furniture, or anything they get.

Here are some ways to keep your active pooch busy, both mentally and physically:

• Puzzle toys like Kongs, licking mats, and treat-dispensing balls.
• Various dog sports activities, such as agility, scent work, swimming, and dock diving.
• Backyard obstacle courses
• Hiking
• Backpacking
• Daily Walking & Running

Blue Merle Australian Shepherd: Lifespan

If you adopt the blue Merle Aussie, you will be able to enjoy their company for around 12 to 16 years. So, don’t be sad; they will make your life full of fun and adventure in this period.

Blue Merle Australian Shepherd: Health Issues

Overall, Aussies are considered a healthy breed, but they’re prone to develop genetic health problems and diseases. Below are some medical conditions that you should watch out for:

• Epilepsy
• Cataracts
• Elbow dysplasia
• Hip dysplasia
• Deafness
• Hypothyroidism
• Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
• Multiple Drug Sensitivity (MDS)
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD)

NOTE:

To avoid these issues, it is recommended to visit your nearest vet on a regular basis. First, they will conduct a physical examination of your Australian Shepherd Blue Merle pup to determine whether they’re suffering from any serious health conditions. Later, according to the results, they will provide the treatment.

Blue Merle Aussies Shepherd: Care Guide

It’s time to learn the basic food and grooming requirements for the Blue Merle Aussie.

Food & Nutrition

We love our pets, and one of the best ways to show our love to them is by giving them high-quality food because good food makes good pets!

But here the question arises: how much food should be given to a blue Merle Australian shepherd dog?

This depends on whether you have a blue Merle Australian shepherd puppy or full grown blue Merle Australian shepherd. Another factor is their energy level. For example, a working Blue Merle Aussie dog will need more food than one who is less active.

No matter what brand or type of dog food you’re giving your pup, make sure it is high quality and has all the essential nutrients and proteins.

Grooming Requirements

You’ll be glad to know that the blue Merle Australian Shepherd won’t shed much. These canines are mostly shed only in the shedding season, which is winter and summer.

However, they have medium-length thick coats, so you have to brush them at least once a week. Also, make sure to visit professional grooming services to get your mini blue Merle Australian shepherd proper cleaning, haircut, and nail trimming. This will keep your dog healthy and happy.

Blue Merle Australian Shepherd Vs. Blue Merle Border Collie: What’s the Difference?

Now, let’s know the major difference between a Blue Merle Australian Shepherd and a Blue Merle Border Collie.

Both breeds have blue Merle coloring, but compared to the Border Collie, the blue Merle is more common in Australian Shepherds. Border Collies have other common colors, such as black and white.

Both dog breeds are highly active and energetic animals with calm and friendly natures. This is why providing them with good mental, and physical stimulation is important.

Is there any difference, or are both dogs the same?

• If you see the picture of both dogs together, you’ll notice that Australian Shepherds have a bit larger body physique than Border Collies.
• Another major difference is the ears. The Border Collies tend to have more upright ears, and the Aussies have more floppy ears.
• We’ve already mentioned that Australian Shepherds have a low-maintenance coat, but Border Collies have a high-maintenance coat that needs brushing at least twice a week or sometimes even more than this.

101 Fun Facts About Blue Merle Australian Shepherd

• The blue Merle Australian shepherd dogs have a subdominant blue Merle gene, which can cause a dog to have one or two blue-flecked eyes.
• Today there are so many different varieties of blue Merle Aussie dogs available with a number of coat color combinations such as Solid Blue Merle, Blue Merle Tricolor, Blue Merle, and White. And some of them are so beautiful and rare!
• Back in the day, this Australian Shepherd was a well-known breed among the cowboys of the Wild West.
• This breed can also work as a fantastic aid dog for the impaired.
• These dogs are also great as police dogs, as they’re an expert in detecting drugs and finding missing people.
• Unfortunately, even as a native dog, the Australian Shepherd dog is not a registered breed in Australia.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Australian Shepherd Blue Merle is considered one of the most beautiful and popular dog breeds in the world. These canines are calm, obedient, smart, and require less maintenance. That’s the major reason why people prefer Australian shepherds.

So, if you feel you can provide all the necessary requirements and living conditions, you can surely adopt or buy a blue Merle Australian Shepherd.

So this is all about the blue Merle Australian shepherd. I hope this in-depth guide on this dog breed has given you all the required information to make your final decision. If you find this blog helpful, please share it with your family and friends.

Want to read more about Aussies and Shepherd dog breeds? Read our previous blogs on Full Grown Aussiedoodle and Black German Shepherd to get in-depth information.

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