DOG OF THE DAY

@EmmyMarie06

Aww this was such a pawsome read hehe, thank youu for sharing and yesss, would be super fun to have this series going!🐶💛

DOG OF THE DAY!! 

Meet the Stabyhoun! 

(sta-bye-hoon)

]

Stabyhouns are a medium breed, usually standing above the human knee. The first recorded dogs were bred in the united states around 1994 and have yet to be recognized as an actual breed. they are a much newer and there are only several thousand around the world, numbering to around only 6,000 globally, most of them residing in England and the U.K area. 

The Stabyhoun originates from the Netherlands, bred to independently hunt moles and rabbits. because of this they are prone to digging only feeding into their instinct to do the thing they were bred to do, however some training can always fix this. they also work well as bird hunting dogs. 

Stabyhouns make great family pets, known for being friendly with family and do great with children. they also do well with other dogs. They are relatively friendly with strangers after some time warming up to them, but also have some watchdog tendencies and enjoy being slightly vocal. 

These dogs are people pleasers, and relatively low maintenance having easy coats to care for and less mental stimulation need than that of a border collie for example. however there might be some difficulties in training, as these dogs were bred to work independently. but work with them and they can do anything :)

As all dogs breeds do, some are more prone so a certain type of illness, disease, disorder, exc than say another dog breed. These dogs are relatively healthy dogs when given the right living conditions, however tend to be prone to hip dysplasia (common in dogs, occurs when the hip joint has not developed properly and the bone does not sit properly in the socket) they are also prone to elbo dysplasia. patent ductus artisus is another think to watch out for(a birth defect that affects the heart, and is caused by incomplete changes in the heart as it was developing as a fetus) and cerebral dysfunction(a brain disorder that causes the affected puppies to show odd behavior, limb weakness, and severe mental depression) 

Stabyhouns are an energetic breed but enjoy laying around the house with their owner. they need daily exercise as any dog does, and would like to be kept busy every now and then. they are extremely affectionate, loving and loyal. they can also be cautious too. however They could be an ill choice for a first dog due to their willfulness and independent nature, but if you are willing to make a commitment this could be the pup for you. 

Keeping up with regular feedings, at least an hour of exercise a day, mental stimulation needs, and play is very important. if these needs are not met depression could arrise. Depressed dogs tend to appear bored, prefer to not listen to handlers/owners, and can develop behavior disorders such as barking, digging holes, or getting reckless or easily excited around people. 

 remember, having a dog is not always a walk in the park. health issues should be expected and prepared for, as well as being aware of potential behavior issues and how to fix them is always important. if your dog has behavior issues, know that its not the dogs fault. it could be old habbits from ex owners or things that you as their owner have failed to teach them or do with them :) 

Be sure to always do your research before getting a dog and its breed to be sure that it has the potential to be happy in your current living situation. be sure to not get a dog just because you think its cute. prepare yourself, and see what breeds could match your lifestyle! 

(none of these photos are mine, i pulled them all off the web)

i hope you enjoyed learning about this dog breed! if you have an uncommon breed request leave it in the comments! i hope that if you were struggling today that this took your mind off whatever is going on in your life :D

TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF DOBERMAN?

Say hello to the Famous Doberman Pincher. 

No, This is not dog of the day, however I do plan on this for the future :D This post is to raise awareness for those who see dobermans as a threat to help them see that these dogs are just big cuddle bugs! No, I am not naive to the fact that this breed has a higher potential to be dangerous compared to other breeds, however when raised in the right environment and/or conditions, this dog is actually the among the most perfect family dogs. 

Dobermans are actually a very unique breed, due to the purpose they were bred for and their unique temperament. Dobermans were originally bred to protect not a flock, but humans. they were bred to be a watchdog and protect people. This is the only dog that has ever been bred to do this task. on top of this, dobermans have been declared among the smartest dog breeds worldwide. 

As stated in the title, there are TWO different types of dobermans, but look more or less the same. The first, and original type, is the European Doberman. Euro Dobermans tend to be a little larger in stature than the American Doberman, due to its thick bones and muscular body. it has a thicker neck with a slow neck rise, along with a more square muzzle than the American Doberman. they also have slightly more shiny fur.

This Variation has a slightly different temperament in comparison to the American Doberman, better suited for the working force with its more alert, observing, "on the go" attitude, but still can make a superb family pet.  some other physical aspects of the Euro Doberman is a broader head and chest, larger feet, and darker rust markings.            Exhibit of the European Doberman: 

The American Doberman on the other hand, Is slightly smaller, thinner neck, with a steeper rise, smaller feet, lighter markings, smaller bone make-up, narrower muzzle, and less shiny fur. These dogs when brought to america began to be bred for the show business, thus why their appearance has differed. 

The American Doberman still has that protective, assertive, "on the go" attitude, but is slightly more sociable and adaptive to its surroundings, making it a better option to put into consideration for the family setting. You are more likely to see more docked tails and cropped ears for the Euro Doberman per breed standard, but most American Dobermans still have the breed standard docked and cropped ears and tail. however you are more likely to see an American doberman with its natural ears and tail.   Exibit of the American Doberman: 

Dobermans make fantastic family pets. they are very good with children (as long as you properly sociase them as you should with any dog) they are also very trainable too with their eager to please domineer and their willingness to listen to its handler. Both variations are very protective of theri family, and prepared to jump into action to protect whenever needed. 

These dogs also define velco dogs, known to follow their handler/owner wherever they go, and even leaning onto their leg slightly as a form of affection. they have a high tendency sleep with their head to doors as well,  as an instinct they have to be able to jump into action asap should something happen. 

there are also many color variations as well. the Euro has just black and liver (brown) colors. the rust colored markings should always be present on a doberman. if not, it is NOT purebred no matter what the breeders/handlers/sellers may say. the American Doberman has the regular black and liver colors, as well as blue (in between the liver and black) and isabella (far left) coloring as well 

Albino Dobermans are common as well. if you recall i said that it is not a purebred doberman if you cant see the tan, and albinos are no acception. if you look closely you can see where the rust markings SHOULD go, and they are there, just the lack of pigments have faded them. 

Same follows for Mealenistic dobermans. the extra pigments have made them blend in with the black, however you can still see where the rust markings would go. 

I hope you enjoyed this! and learned the difference between the two dobermans, that dobermans are nothing to fear! they are very well with kids and the rest of the family :D

My sister has a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. High maintenance but a great dog!

DOG OF THE DAY

This is the Large Munsterlander. 

The large munsterlander is a large sized dog, their head coming anywhere from right below the average human hip to the mid thigh. This breed is a decent from a bird hunting dog used in the middle ages, but selective breeding in Germany altered the dog to create a new breed. The dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2006 as a breed. 

As stated above, the originate from Germany, and follow along similar bloodlines as German Short hair/Longhair pointers. This breed was made to be a supreme hunting dog, excelling in tracking, hunting, pointing, and retrieving. 

This breed is good with family and children, and open to strangers. they have slight watchdog tendencies, and do well with other dogs (with proper socialization.)  They are a hightly intelligent breed, but They are higher maintenance due to their keen mind that needs to be kept stimulated, and their high energy levels. 

This breed makes an excellent companion in the home or field, it is cooperative and reliable, as well as laid back when their exercise and stimulation needs have been met. although it loves to please its owner, It has a strong will, so be aware of this during training. 

As most dog breeds do, some come with a higher chance of diseases, illness, disorders exc. Large musntelanders are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia (common in dogs, occurs when the hip joint has not developed properly and the bone does not sit properly in the socket) HUU (hyper-secretion of uric acid in urine and causes kidney and bladder issues) and Hereditary Cataracts (Disease that affects the eye) are among some of the health problems that can occur. 

This dog is highly energetic, intelligent, and on the go. they do love to laze around the house sometimes, but still need their high energy needs met. they need to be taken care of daily, and so much more. if these needs are not met depression could arrise. Depressed dogs tend to appear bored, prefer to not listen to handlers/owners, and can develop behavior disorders such as barking, digging holes, or getting reckless or easily excited around people. 

remember, having a dog is not always a walk in the park. health issues should be expected and prepared for, as well as being aware of potential behavior issues and how to fix them is always important. if your dog has behavior issues, know that its not the dogs fault. it could be old habits from ex owners or things that you as their owner have failed to teach them or do with them :) 

Be sure to always do your research before getting a dog and its breed to be sure that it has the potential to be happy in your current living situation. be sure to not get a dog just because you think its cute. prepare yourself, and see what breeds could match your lifestyle! 

(none of these photos are mine, i pulled them all off the web)

i hope you enjoyed learning about this dog breed! if you have an uncommon breed request leave it in the comments! i hope that if you were struggling today that this took your mind off whatever is going on in your life :D

DOG OF THE DAY

Lets take a break from hunting dogs, and introduce you to a shepherd dog. 

Meet the Bohemian Shepherd!

Also known as the Chodsky pes, chodenhun, Czech sheepdog, and bohemian herder, This dog is a medium breed, with a long, rectangular body. Their head will come a little above the average human knee, and their ears to your upper to mid thigh. 

This dog comes from Czech, (a place in Europe in between Slovakia, Krakow, Vienna, Prauge exc.) This is an ancient herding dog that would guard the flock. Having thick fur durable to harsh weather, this dog would need a little extra grooming, and would prefer a little cooler setting (though its not to say you cant have one if you live in a warmer place, cause you totally can...you just gotta find one first lol)

Finally recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2019, this dog has an extremely friendly domineer and makes a wonderful family pet due to its loving nature, train-ability, openness to strangers (if you like that), watchdog tendencies, adaptability, and is also great around children and good around other pets. 

These dogs have moderate energy level, but still need at least an hour of exercise a day, as well as a lot of mental stimulation too keep their active minds happy. they also have moderate barking levels, however this can vary from dog to dog.  They enjoy the family setting, with a little play bouts every now and then. 

As most dog breeds do, some come with a higher chance of diseases, illness, disorders exc. They tend to be prone to Hip and elbow Dysplasia (common in dogs, occurs when the hip joint has not developed properly and the bone does not sit properly in the socket) degenerative myelopathy( a disease that affects the spinal chord causing loss of coordination and muscle weakness) and Epilepsy (a neurological (brain) disorder in dogs that causes un-prevoked seizures due to an abnormality of the brain) are among some of the health issues that can happen to this breed. 

Although this is seemingly the perfect family dog, this breed may required an experienced owner (or an owner willing to make a commitment with a little extra time of their hands) who can put in the time for the lots of exercise this dog needs, the mental stimulation to keep it happy and a preferably protein rich diet. They love to be around their family as well.  if these needs are not met depression could arise. Depressed dogs tend to appear bored, prefer to not listen to handlers/owners, and can develop behavior disorders such as barking, digging holes, or getting reckless or easily excited around people. (not including the protein rich diet, thats just a recommendation) 

remember, having a dog is not always a walk in the park. health issues should be expected and prepared for, as well as being aware of potential behavior issues and how to fix them is always important. if your dog has behavior issues, know that its not the dogs fault. it could be old habbits from ex owners or things that you as their owner have failed to teach them or do with them :)

Be sure to always do your research before getting a dog and its breed to be sure that it has the potential to be happy in your current living situation. be sure to not get a dog just because you think its cute. prepare yourself, and see what breeds could match your lifestyle!

(none of these photos are mine, i pulled them all off the web)

i hope you enjoyed learning about this dog breed! if you have an uncommon breed request leave it in the comments! i hope that if you were struggling today that this took your mind off whatever is going on in your life :D

HOW DO YOU LOOK FOR THE PERFECT DOG FOR YOU?

Lets face it. Most people want a dog! Which is a WONDERFUL thing! however much of the time novice owners get a dog, only to find that the dog is too much of a responsibility. Sadly, many inexperienced owners are naive to the fact that all dog breeds are different. Which partially is not their fault...however they have the web right at their fingertips! There should be no reason they shouldn't know, or have done research! 

Many of these dogs could likely end up in one of these three most common situations. 

The first possibility is the owner makes needed changes, and knows better for next time to look for a dog that better suites their lifestyle, or finds a new home for the pup! this is the best option, and one that I personally hope (among many others) happens. 

The second possibility is the dog stays with that family, but the family does not make any needed changes. This sadly could lead to depression for the dog, which WILL lead to behavior disorders. many people who have a dog with behavior disorders instead of hiring help (there are places and trainers where you can get help!) they either completely ignore the dog, letting the dog live a lowly lifestyle and not to the best potential, or the dog gets completely abandoned. left when the family moves or left on the side of the road. 

The third possibility could follow as a result to the second possibility. leaving the dog at a shelter. If you are unable to find a home for the dog through the many websites you can find your dog a new forever home, i recommend turning them over to a shelter rather than continue to care for the dog who is obviously struggling or leaving it on the side of the road. there is no shame in handing a dog over! Especially if it is the best option for them. The problem is, there are far too many dogs in shelters...and on top of that it seems to be slightly flawed. smaller dogs get taken home before larger dogs do. 

So that leads me to this: whether you are a new owner or an experienced handler, check out the dogs in shelters! you can go in and spend time with the dogs and make a choice after a few visits if your worried about it not being a match. you can find your match in MANY shelters in your surrounding area! you can take the dog home, and if it inst working out you can find the dog a new home or hand it back to the shelter! 

Many shelter dogs - ones that have stayed long term or were found as strays in particular - tend to have some issues, but it is genuinely nothing a loving hand, and a little training cant do.

NOW. if you are a person who would prefer to raise a puppy, there are also some other things you can do to make sure both you and your future pup are as happy as possible!

The first step you can take, is look at your living situation. Do you have the time? if not are you able to MAKE time? do you have the space for the type of breed you are looking at? would you be happy changing breeds to suit your living conditions better? if not, i recommend this to be the end of the road for now till you are able to make the needed changes to have a pup! 

if most, or all of those were a yes, next step you can take is look at YOURSELF. are YOU ready for a dog? (if you have a family ask if your FAMILY is ready) are you ready to get up feed the dog every morning? are you ready to make sure your pup ALWAYS has water? are you willing to change the water? do you want to take the dog out for walks, are you willing to clean up their messes and bathroom waste? are you ready to have a friend follow you almost everywhere you go? vet checks, training, playing, socializing, the noise and smell, bath time/grooming needs, mental stimulation, AND SO MUCH MORE! there is a LOT of responsibility to taking on a dog, so much that some people fail to realize the weight of taking on a dog. 

 Truth be told no novice owner is really ever ready for all of this, but you learn as you go! if you believe that you are mentally prepared for all of these things (even if you dont want to) then the next step is choosing a dog for you/the family! 

First step is thinking of the breeds that you would like, then go do research! Look to see how much maintenance it would take to keep up with the dog. look at energy levels and compare them to the energy level you would prefer, or be willing to take on. Look at mental stimulation needs, and the temperament of the dog. are you looking for a family dog? a future protection dog? an emotional support animal for you. what about just a little guy to chill with when you come home from work? Think about what you want this dog to be, and research accordingly. 

i know it sucks when you have your heart set on a dog, only to realize that it was FAR from what you were actually looking for, but this is the next step. expand your horizons! 

There are HUNDREDS of different dog breeds out there! there must be at least one that would fit your lifestyle AND personality perfectly! Actively look for new breeds you've never heard of before, and see if that dog has the potential to fit into your lifestyle. The AKC (American Kennel Club) has a fantastic quiz for you, where you can personalize it freely and it will give you the top three dogs that could fit you best! 

The test is right here: https://www.akc.org/breed-selector-tool/

The AKC is a trusted source, and only take quizzes off trusted sources. The AKC (especially the UKC) are great sources too look at when wanting to know about a potential dog breed for you.

once you have made your decision, its time for more research! look for credible breeders who ensure puppy safety. preferably dont take puppies from backyard breeders, you can, just its likely the owner has not had any health testing done on their dogs, and have not vet checked their puppies either. if you find a backyard breeder, be sure to ask questions about health testing and temperament of the parents. ask them about any health issues that the parents have (to the owners knowledge) has, so you can be better prepared, and know of these things should something happen to the dog. 

Its beneficial to always see if you can meet the parents, or have a description of the parents temperaments no matter if you get a certified breeder or backyard breeder. temperaments tend to pass onto the puppies, so its good to be aware of the potential temperament your pup could have. 

The same follows for parent health, for relatively the same reasons. 

Next, research THINGS for your dog! for example: do you want a traditional food and water bowl, or an automatic feeding/water system? Is that brand credible? or "worth it"? look at the reviews. does your dog need a dog bed. Do you want to crate train? whats a good crate and what size would you need? 

you will need to test out different foods to see what works best for your pups daily routine/exercise, AND stomach? some dogs have tender stomachs! look for Vets, and groomers, and ALL SORTS OF THINGS!

There is so much more about the process of bringing a pup home, but i hope this helped, and conveys the message to prepare! a dog is NOT a mindless creature to just have fun with. they, just like us, are a complex life form AND emotionally intelligent! They have more than basic needs that must be met for their happiness! 

My next non dog of the day post, i will be going over either how to keep your pup happy or things to look for when choosing a puppy and your breeder! so stay tuned and I LOVE YALL! have a good day!!

DOG OF THE DAY

Meet the incredibly rare Otterhound. 

The Otterhound is a large size dog, its head coming about up to the average human hip. Otterhounds can be found dating back to 1360, however can only be traced back as a distinct breed in the 1800's. 

Although they look like a mix of different mutts, they were actually bred in great brittian as a hunting/scent hound, however when the activity was banned in the 1970's the breed lost popularity and became almost extinct. they are still close to extinction today, with only around 600 left worldwide. in comparison to the whopping 900 million estimated dogs worldwide, 600 is hardly anything.   

Known to be a good natured dog, they are big, loud, and very affectionate.  they also to relatively well  with children or other dogs as long as socialization had been introduced from puppy hood. its recommended to keep an eye on the dog when around small children to prevent accidental injury happening to the child or the dog. The dog is known to have a sense of humor, They love to bark, and as well as follow their nose with their scent hound heritage. be careful, they are known to switch their ears off once their nose gets on the trail of something. 

These dogs want to please their owner, so they are quite trainable. they have higher energy, and are quite playful. Otterhounds love routine, as well as long walks. they are also known to be stubborn, and have a prey drive(meaning they will chase after things) they are also slow housebreaking. however work with this pup and just as any other dog, it can do anything! 

As most dog breeds do, some come with a higher chance of diseases, illness, disorders exc. Otterhounds are relatively healthy dogs when given the right living conditions, but tend to be prone to are Hip and elbow Dysplasia (common in dogs, occurs when the hip joint has not developed properly and the bone does not sit properly in the socket) Epilipsy (a neurological (brain) disorder in dogs that causes un-prevoked seizures due to an abnormality of the brain) and Gastric Torsion (the stomach or intestines twist, causing gas, fluid, or food to biuld up causing it to swell) . are among some of the health problems that can occur. 

Otterhounds need all the basic and complex needs met for their happiness. if these needs are not met depression could arrise. Depressed dogs tend to appear bored, prefer to not listen to handlers/owners, and can develop behavior disorders such as barking, digging holes, or getting reckless or easily excited around people. 

This dog can make an exelent family dog, their playfulness great for a family with a little older kids, and great to take along on hikes, camping trips, bike rides exc. however it is recommended not to let this dog off lease do to its high prey drive and high potential to run. this dog could be a match for a first time owner, however  remember, having a dog is not always a walk in the park. health issues should be expected and prepared for, as well as being aware of potential behavior issues and how to fix them is always important. if your dog has behavior issues, know that its not the dogs fault. it could be old habbits from ex owners or things that you as their owner have failed to teach them or do with them :) 

Be sure to always do your research before getting a dog and its breed to be sure that it has the potential to be happy in your current living situation. be sure to not get a dog just because you think its cute. prepare yourself, and see what breeds could match your lifestyle! 

(none of these photos are mine, i pulled them all off the web)

i hope you enjoyed learning about this dog breed! if you have an uncommon breed request leave it in the comments! i hope that if you were struggling today that this took your mind off whatever is going on in your life :D

DOG OF THE DAY

First of all before i begin dog of the day, sorry i didn't post yesterday lol. i wasn't in the best state of mind and couldn't focus on finishing this, so to make up for it ill make two posts today.

i know this thread is relatively new but thank you to all those who have been keeping up on it and loving it, it means the whole world to me, so thanks to all of you! 

Now! Meet the Beautiful Netderlandse Kooikerhonji! 

Now i dont think the breed has a nickname, so im just going to call them Kookiers (Koy-ker)  because i dont want to type that entire name out every time :D. if this is their nickname, then welp- lucky guess i guess lol.

Kookiers are a small breed, their head coming up to about the upper shin or base of the knee. They were bred ages ago, and the insparation was actually a fox of all things. These dogs were bred to hunt ducks, but they hunted ducks as a fox would! bred to even look similar to a fox, and believe it or not the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (our first post!) is believed to be a decent breed FROM the kookier!

The Kookier is one of the newest recognized dogs in the AKC-in 2018- they were Bred to hunt ducks in the 17th century, comes from the Netherlands. These days however, the breed has become a cherished family dog. This dog is very affectionate, and to good with children and other dogs. they are open to strangers and are playful with their high energy. 

This dog has high energy, and high mental stimulation needs. Socialization is highly important to this dog as well. They love long walks, and would love plenty of exercise. They love interactive games and is recommended to establish a routine with this pup. These dogs are quick learners and eager to please, making them more trainable than some other dog breeds. 

As most dog breeds do, some come with a higher chance of diseases, illness, disorders exc. Kookiers are relatively healthy dogs when given the right living conditions, but tend to be prone to Hip Dysplasia (common in dogs, occurs when the hip joint has not developed properly and the bone does not sit properly in the socket) and a common structural defect found in many purebred dog breeds. 

These dogs make great family pets however there are some drawback, as they require careful socialization and training. these dogs might not be the best choice for first time dog owners, however if you are willing to make a commitment this dog could be the one for you! These dogs are higher maintenance and require a lot of work, if their needs are not met depression could arrise. Depressed dogs tend to appear bored, prefer to not listen to handlers/owners, and can develop behavior disorders such as barking, digging holes, or getting reckless or easily excited around people. 

Be sure to always do your research before getting a dog and its breed to be sure that it has the potential to be happy in your current living situation. be sure to not get a dog just because you think its cute. prepare yourself, and see what breeds could match your lifestyle

(none of these photos are mine, i pulled them all off the web)

i hope you enjoyed learning about this dog breed! if you have an uncommon breed request leave it in the comments! i hope that if you were struggling today that this took your mind off whatever is going on in your life :D





WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER BREED MERLE TO MERLE DOGS

Hey yall! so i know i said i would post about how to keep your dog happy or what to look for in a breeder, however this post has been inspired by a mistake one of my friends made, so as to raise awareness of the issue...here i am!

Merle is a pigmentation pattern. Its a genetic gene passed on from parent to puppy, and is quite desired in many dogs. Merle coats are something beautiful that man can certainly appreciate. Who wouldn't love to have a dog that looks this beautiful? Merle coats are a variation of a regular coat color for a dog breed, caused by the dominance of the M (Merle) gene during breeding. 

First, i want to go over how spotted dogs are NOT merle. you CAN breed spotted/splotched dogs with another spotted/splotched dog, however breeding merle to merly dogs is another situation -to put it flatly- DANGEROUS. 

now, you CAN breed one merly dog, with one traditional coated dog. but breeding TWO merle dogs can cause a plethera of genetic disorders in puppies and sometimes is even dangerous for the mother. To clear things, up, im going to use the Australian Shepherd as an example. 

Lets say this is our dog. lets name him Ben. 

Ben, is a Male merle aussie, and someone has requested to breed their dog to him. 

Lets say this is the other owners dog. lets name her Ella:

Ella is also an australian shepherd, just with the traditional red try coat variation. 

this would be SAFE to breed. However if Ella was a merle dog, this would NOT be safe to breed. 

Why is it so bad to breed merle to merle? logic would tell you that breeding merle to merle is something okay, so you can get more merle puppies! merle puppies (especially if its rare in a breed) can go for a lot of money when selling the pups. However breeding merle to merle, the puppies have a 25% chance of recieving the double merle gene. 

Doulbe merle genes are BAD. on top of that breeding merle to merle dogs increases all of the puppies chances of having health issues that will impact their lives -if the puppy lives that is- thats right. merle to merle puppies have a higher risk of death at birth. this is what a double merle bred dog looks like: 

If youve ever seen an albino animal, this is what is probably whats going through your mind. these dogs have extra pigments in their skin, eyes, fur...everything. this however is not a true albino. albinsm is safe. this is not safe. 

merle to merle pups usually have an eye disorder. already having extra pigments in the eyes, vision is typically bad, or completly gone. many of these dogs are born blind. on top of that one eye tends to be larger than the other. sometimes both eyes are small, or very enlarged. 

Many pups are also born deaf, as well as missing a limb/s or even having extra limbs or extremities. 

Epilepsy is also a very common side affect. Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes unstimulated seizures. 

so you are probably wondering what inspired this post, along with what my freind did. she had no knolege that Merle x merle breeding could have such an affect, and when she told me this, i was quick to warn her of some of the affects it can have. she feels absolutely awful, but dont worry. she is going to do her best to care for the puppies and find them all homes who will be able to take care of a potentially dissabled dog. 

its important to remember that these are dogs are just like any other. puppies are born every day with dissorders, and dissabilities. 

now heres a hot topic. 

many people say that should merle x merle breeding occur, to just kill the affected puppies at birth. not only would it keep the dog from having to deal with the affects of being a double merle dog, but it wont ever have to struggle in life either

many other people (as myself) say to give the dog a shot at life. if life ever gets too rough and the quality of live is very poor euthinization IS a possibility....but i (and many others) believe that it is no different than for example a person being born with down syndrome, or being born deaf and blind exc. we dont get rid of them at birth do we? dogs deserve a fair chance. 

(lmk what you think in the comments below :D) 

Thank you for reading!