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The merle gene is involved in coat color determination in a number of breeds including the Shetland Sheepdog, Collie, Border Collie, Dachshund, Australian Shepherd, and Cardigan Welsh Corgi. This coat color is characterized by patches of dilute pigment in combination with areas of full pigmentation. In some breeds, the merle coat color has been linked to auditory and ophthalmic abnormalities and in some cases abnormalities of skeletal, cardiac and reproductive systems.
With the recent discovery of the merle gene, genetic testing is now available to allow for the identification of the merle allele in individual animals. This technology is patent pending (U.S. Serial # 60/708,589) and available exclusively through GenMark, the DNA technology service of VITA-TECH Laboratories, LLC.
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