BOB winner at 2012 WKC dog show is the offspring of a double merle stud dog
GCH CH Wyndlair Cherokee Vindication, a blue merle Collie, won BOB at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Feb. 13 (2012). Vinnie—as he is known outside the ring—is the offspring of Wyndlair Avalanche, a homozygous or double merle (sometimes erroneously referred to as “lethal white”) Collie. Double merles occur when a merle dog is bred to another merle dog. Merle-to-merle breedings are considered irresponsible due to the increased risk of health problems. According to Wikipedia:
The merle gene is often associated with congenital deafness, with merle dogs being more likely than other dogs to be born deaf. Dogs with two copies of the merle gene (homozygous merle) have an even higher chance of being born deaf.[13] The suppression of pigment cells (melanocytes) in the iris and in the stria vascularis of the cochlea (inner ear) leads to blue eyes and deafness.Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merle_(dog_coat)#Health_issues
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