Are Merle Doodles Healthy? What to Know About Double Merles

If you're anything like us here at JLDD, you probably can't get enough of those stunning merle-coated doodles. Their swirled coats, sometimes paired with piercing blue eyes, are undeniably eye-catching and unique.

It’s no surprise that merle doodles often draw a lot of attention from prospective dog owners. But along with that attention comes a lot of questions—and, understandably, some concern.

Today, we’re diving into the topic of merle doodles and, more specifically, the risks associated with what’s known as "double merle" breeding. We’ll also share how we approach merle breeding at JLDD, and what you should always ask a breeder if you're considering bringing home one of these beautiful dogs.

"Breeding double Merle which means breading two Merle dogs together can cause offspring that are blind and deaf," explains Kayla Kennedy, a breeder at JLDD. "Breeding double Merle is a very unethical practice and should not be done. Any genes that can cause life threading issues should not be breed together. 

Know Your Merle Doodles

Let’s start with the basics. Merle refers to a specific coat pattern rather than a breed or color. You’ll typically see patches of diluted and full pigment swirled together across the dog’s body. This can occur in a variety of colors, such as blue merle, red merle, and chocolate merle, depending on the dog’s base color.

When you see a doodle with a merle coat, it’s usually because one of the parent breeds carries the merle gene—commonly the Australian Shepherd or a breed with similar coloring.

In the doodle world, merle can show up in Goldendoodles, Aussiedoodles, Bernedoodles,

and other doodle mixes depending on the genetics involved.

While merle is undeniably beautiful, this particular gene requires very careful handling. That’s because of the health implications that can occur if two merle genes come together in a single puppy—something we’ll explain in more detail below.

Double Merle Genes

A double merle is a dog that inherits the merle gene from both parents. On the surface, this can produce an even more striking coat—often mostly white with light-colored eyes. But beneath that striking appearance can lie serious health concerns.

Double merles are at significantly higher risk of being born with congenital defects, especially those affecting hearing and vision. Deafness, partial or total blindness, and other sensory impairments are common in double merles due to the way the double merle gene affects pigmentation and development.

These aren’t just minor concerns. Dogs with these kinds of sensory impairments often require specialized care, and in some cases, they may be unable to live a full, active life. For this reason, responsible breeders never intentionally produce double merle puppies.

JLDD Avoids Double Merle Breeding

At JLDD, we are absolutely committed to ethical and responsible breeding practices. That means we do not, under any circumstance, breed merle to merle. We know how tempting it might be to double down on that beautiful pattern, but no aesthetic is worth the risk of producing puppies with avoidable health issues.

Before any of our dogs are bred, they go through an extensive health testing process. This includes genetic testing that tells us whether or not a dog carries the merle gene. It also covers hip and elbow evaluations, genetic disease screening, coat type testing, and temperament assessments. Every result is available on our website for potential families to see.

That transparency is a cornerstone of our program. We believe that you, as a future puppy parent, have the right to know exactly what kind of planning and care went into your puppy’s start in life.

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Why Merle Doodle Health Testing Matters

When breeders don’t test their dogs, they’re essentially breeding blind—and that can have serious consequences. It’s not just about avoiding double merle; it’s about knowing what genetic risks are present in the breeding pair and making informed decisions to minimize those risks.

At JLDD, our goal is not just to produce pretty puppies. We aim to produce healthy, well-adjusted dogs who will thrive in their forever homes. That starts with choosing the right parents based on more than just looks. Temperament, genetic soundness, coat type, and overall health are just as important.

The Merle Myth: Are Merle Doodles Always Unhealthy?

Here’s where we can set the record straight. Merle doodles are not inherently unhealthy. When bred properly—meaning one merle parent and one non-merle parent—merle puppies are typically just as healthy as their solid-colored siblings.

In fact, we’ve placed many merle puppies in loving homes where they’ve gone on to be therapy dogs, hiking companions, and loyal family pets. The key is that those puppies were thoughtfully and ethically bred with the full support of genetic science and a team of dedicated professionals behind them.

What to Ask Your Breeder About Merle Doodles

If you’re considering a merle doodle, it’s essential to ask the right questions. A reputable breeder should be completely open with you about their breeding practices, and you shouldn’t feel shy about asking for proof of testing.

Here are some important questions to start with:

• Do both parent dogs carry the merle gene?

• Can I see the genetic test results for the parents?

• What other health testing has been done?

• How do you ensure puppies are not double merles?

If the breeder hesitates to answer or can’t provide documentation, that’s a big red flag. Ethical breeding is built on transparency, not secrecy.

How We Raise Our Merle Puppies

Once our puppies are born, the hard work doesn’t stop. At JLDD, we provide around-the-clock care for our mamas during whelping, and we support both mom and pups through every stage of early development.

Every single day, each puppy receives individual attention and hands-on time. We document their reactions to new experiences, track their development, and begin basic crate and potty training starting at two weeks old. By the time our puppies are ready for matchmaking at eight weeks, we know them inside and out.

Our personalized matchmaking program ensures that each family is paired with a puppy who matches their lifestyle, experience level, and preferences. It’s not just about who looks the cutest—it’s about building lifelong matches that work.

So, Are Merle Doodles Healthy?

The answer is yes—when bred responsibly. Merle doodles can be wonderful, healthy pets when the breeder takes the right precautions to avoid double merle genetics and puts health above aesthetics. At JLDD, we are proud to offer merle puppies that are as healthy and happy as they are beautiful.

If you have any questions or want to know more about our process, we’d love to talk with you. Raising great dogs isn’t just our job—it’s our passion.

Jenna and the JLDD Team