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General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: Look what we picked up
« on: July 02, 2009, 01:11:54 pm »
Hi Patrick,
The term "Lethal white" is a bit of a misnomer. The genes are not lethal. I actually prefer to term "Double Merle" which is what they are. They are a dog that got two of the merle genes when bred.
Which is why you do not breed a merle or a merle or a harlequin to a merle in the dane world.
The term "lethal" came about due to the fact that white puppies were often culled.
As far as health goes the double merle genes effect sight and hearing the most. If I can get these two to put on some weight so they are not dangerously thin then they should grow up to be happy, healthy dogs.
They survived the night and we are continuing to pump food into them.
The term "Lethal white" is a bit of a misnomer. The genes are not lethal. I actually prefer to term "Double Merle" which is what they are. They are a dog that got two of the merle genes when bred.
Which is why you do not breed a merle or a merle or a harlequin to a merle in the dane world.
The term "lethal" came about due to the fact that white puppies were often culled.
As far as health goes the double merle genes effect sight and hearing the most. If I can get these two to put on some weight so they are not dangerously thin then they should grow up to be happy, healthy dogs.
They survived the night and we are continuing to pump food into them.