If you are here, you’re probably wondering a little bit about merle Staffordshire bull terrier.

In today’s era, it seems to be one of those kinds of dogs that end up in everybody’s kennels. And everybody is starting to breed them and sell them.

Now, what’s the big deal about the merle. Are they better than the original Staffordshire bull terrier?

Well, today we’re going to go over a little bit more in the history of the merle Staffordshire bull terrier and how they came about. Let’s get started

Fact about Merle Staffordshire bull terrier

Staffordshire bull terriers do not carry the merle gene, nor is it part of the breed standard. The merle gene can only have been introduced through an outcross. Therefore they are not pure-blooded.

Merle Stafforshire Bull Terrier

Now Staffordshire bull terrier is for the most part an all-around great dog. Well known for their amazing patience with children.

They are courageous and trustworthy as well. And will gladly give their life in defense of their owners. But they do need firm leadership with their owner. Training and exercise need to be consistent with this breed.

One unusual attribute the Staffordshire bull terrier as well several of the dog breeds can sometimes have is a unique coat pattern that is known in the dog breeding world as the merle coat and merle coat pattern.

Truth be told the merle pattern could rather be attractive. And for that reason, Staffordshire bull terrier breeders jump all over the chance to get these dogs in their yards and meet the high demands in the ready-to-buy market. This in the end can have unethical practices that are not seen in their behind curtains.

Unfortunately, a merle pattern is also associated with a number of serious health problems. And for this reason, it is not accepted by the ABKC and several other associations.

What Causes a Merle Coat

The merle coat is caused by a mutation of a specific gene that alters the pigment in the Staffordshire bull terrier’s coat.

One of the reasons that the merle coat is coveted by some owners and breeders is because it’s unique to every dog. And so no two merle Staffordshire bull terriers will have the same pattern.

When a merle Staffordshire bull terrier with a mutated merle gene is bred with one that is not, the resulting pups can be both non-merle and merle. And the pups could be any color.

Breeding one merle Staffordshire bull terrier with another merle Staffordshire bull terrier usually results in several of the pups being double merle. Unfortunately, this is what some breeders are doing. But it should not be done.

Check the parents of Merle Staffordshire bull terrier

Mating two merles together can lead to the pups having health issues all their life and ultimately can result in death. Always verify the parents of Merle Staffordshire bull terrier before getting one

Health Issues

Here are some of the health issues that the double merle Staffordshire bull terrier can have

  • deafness,
  • blindness,
  • sun sensitivity,
  • an increased chance of skin cancer,
  • skeletal abnormalities,
  • cardiac abnormalities,
  • reproductive system abnormalities.

What Do Morals Really Look Like?

Merle Staffordshire bull terrier is easy to identify due to the patches of hair in their coat with a unique pattern of diluted colors. Here are some example

As you can see they’re easy to identify and they have unique patterns in the coat. Their eyes can be green, blue, and brown with all the same characteristics as the Staffordshire bull terrier.

They have a short fore face with pronounced cheek muscles. Also have half-pricked or rose-shaped ears. 

The chest is broad and shoulders are strong. The legs are well boned and wide site with a medium-length tail carried low. The broad skull is joined to the muscular neck.

Standard Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a short-haired terrier, originated in the Black Country of the English Midlands.

Staffy is an unusually strong dog of small to medium size with is a stocky and muscular body. It usually stands  14 to 16 inches at the shoulder. Male Staffy weighs 28 to 38 pounds where as females weigh between 24 to 34 pounds.

Staffordshire has a short coat that lies close to the skin. The base colors can be red, fawn, white, black, or blue, or any one of them with white; any shade of brindle; or any shade of brindle with white. The average life expectancy of staffy is 12–14 years.

Are Merle Staffordshire Bull Terriers Difficult to Train?

Well, the simple answer is no. They’re not difficult to train at all. The reason why they’re quite easy to train is they are very food and toy orientated.

They love toys and treats so it’s quite easy to train them using those two things.

Also, Merle Staffies are very people orientated. They absolutely love being with you and love to do things with you. So training a Merle Staffy is quite easy on that aspect as well.

Merle Stafforshire Bull Terrier Temperament

Despite the fierce appearance that these dogs give off, this dog is one of the lovers and is not a fighter.

The breed is gentle and always on the lookout for fun and they’re very energetic.

Although not looking for trouble the Merle Staffordshire terrier will not back down to a challenge. And is not always agreeable with other dogs.

Same with the other bully breeds, obedience training is possible although it’s not the Staffordshire bull terrier strong point. Force training methods will lead nowhere.

But if training is made into a game. You’re able to communicate with your staffy then you’re able to train them and they’re able to look at you for leadership.

Living with a Merle staffy means sharing both times inside and out. Give proper exercise to the body and mind and you’ll have a well-behaved dog.

 Because some staffies are not good around strange dogs, precautions should be made that they do not encounter dogs while they’re loose. This is an easy upkeep dog.

Merle Staffordshire bull terrier is great for owners who have kids, who want a family dog in the home. Although they also require high exercise and training sessions, their loyalty towards you is priceless.