Merle Great Dane puppies are known for their striking coats which include light and dark patches. The base color of their coat is light gray or silver with irregular darker spots like black.
If we talk about their size Merle Great Danes are 30 inches tall like other danes with long legs and broad chest within a year their weight gets to 100 pounds. Merle Great Dane puppies are gentle with children and other animals. They don’t need so much exercise, daily walks and playtime is enough to make them healthy.
Health
Merle great dane puppies can have some health problems such as:
1. Hearing
Merle Great Danes have higher risk of deafness, it’s mostly inherited, if the gene affects the development of inner ear. Puppies who have extensive white markings mostly experience hearing issues.
2. Vision Problems With Merle Great Dane puppies
There can be two types of vision problems to them, one is Microphthalmia in which the eyes are abnormally small. And the second one is Blindness in which partial or complete loss of vision is possible due to genes.
3. Skin
Great dane merles have light color which can cause sunburn and skin irritation. You can use sunblock or a type of clothing which can help protect them from sunlight.
Breeding
Breeding two merle Great Danes can be risky. So it’s better to pair a merle Great Dane with a non merle mate, such as solid colored Dane to avoid serious health problems.
Care Of Merle Great Dane Puppies
Proper nutrition is important for Merle Great Dane puppies because they have to grow with time. You can choose premium large breed puppy formula for their nutritional needs. When they are less than 6 months, give them 3 to 4 small meals per day and if your puppy is more than 6 months then to 2 meals daily.
Give them a 15 minute exercise if they are 3 months old because it’s enough. If your merle great dane puppy is less than 3 months then 5 minutes exercise is enough. At 3 months of age you can start leash training to manage their size and strength.
How Much Is A Merle Great Dane Puppy?
The price of a merle Great Dane puppy can be between $1200 to $3500. If you want to buy a merle great dane puppy you can buy it from Carolina Great Danes, Teton Valley Great Danes, or Garner’s Great Danes.
Does Akc Recognize Merle Great Danes?
In 2018 the American Kennel Club (AKC) has accepted Merle Great Danes as an official color for registration and participation in events. But the coat must follow a merle pattern.
Harlequin Great Dane Puppies
Harlequin puppies have white base coats with irregular black patches across the body but there should not be any gray areas between them. However Harlequin and Merle Great Danes may appear similar because of their patterned coats.
Harlequin Great Dane puppies have solid-colored noses and eye rims. The most expensive Great Danes are Harlequin between $2,500 to $4,000.
FAQs
Are Merle Great Danes Purebred?
Yes, Merle Great Danes can be purebred. Merle is a naturally occurring color pattern within the breed.
How Long Do Merle Great Danes Live?
The average lifespan of a Merle Great Dane is 7 to 10 years with proper nutrition and exercise.
Can Merle Great Danes Be Service Or Therapy Dogs?
Yes, Merle Great Danes can be therapy or service dogs due to their calm and loving nature.
