Merle Doodles: Coat Patterns & Personalities

We’ll be the first to admit it—we have a serious soft spot for merle doodles. There’s something about those swirling coats and bright, sometimes mismatched eyes that just stops people in their tracks.

At JLDD (JennaLee Designer Doodles), we’ve had the privilege of raising quite a few merle-coated pups, and let us tell you, they are something special.

But there’s more to merle doodles than their good looks. If you’ve ever wondered what sets these dogs apart—or why people seem to fall head-over-heels for them—pull up a chair.

We’re happy to give you an inside look at why merle doodles are so popular, what makes them different, and what you should know if you’re considering adding one to your family.

First Things First: What Is "Merle?"

Merle isn’t a breed, and it isn’t a color either—it’s actually a coat pattern. The merle gene affects the pigment in a dog’s coat and can create a marbled, swirled appearance. You’ll often see a mix of lighter and darker shades across the coat, and in many cases, merle dogs will have bright blue or even two different-colored eyes (a trait known as heterochromia).

Depending on the base color of the dog, you’ll hear terms like "blue merle," "red merle," "chocolate merle," or even "phantom merle." Each of these variations is striking in its own right, and no two merle coats are exactly alike. That’s one of the things that makes them so special—your merle doodle will be truly one-of-a-kind.

It’s All in the Genetics

Now, let’s talk about how the merle pattern comes to be. A dog inherits the merle gene from one of its parents—usually a breed like the Australian Shepherd, which naturally carries the gene.

When we carefully pair a merle-carrying dog with a non-merle partner, the result can be merle-patterned puppies without the health risks associated with "double merles."

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, a double merle is a dog that inherits two copies of the merle gene—one from each parent. This can cause serious health problems, especially related to hearing and vision. That’s why, at JLDD, we do not breed merle to merle. Ever. We know how to keep those stunning coats without compromising the puppy’s health.

We screen all of our breeding dogs for the merle gene as part of our extensive health testing. It’s just one of the many ways we ensure every litter is planned with purpose and backed by science.

"We will know before the litter is born if there will be Merle pattered offspring," says Kayla Kennedy, a breeder at JLDD. "We know this because Merle is a dominant gene and will produce the pattern when the gene is passed on to the offspring. The parent that is Merle patterned will pass the gene on to the offspring 30-50% of the time."

Interested in adopting a merle doodle? Contact us here.

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What’s It Like Living With a Merle Doodle?

Beyond their jaw-dropping appearance, merle doodles are still doodles at heart—and that means they’re intelligent, affectionate, eager to please, and generally fantastic family companions.

Because they’re hybrids (think Goldendoodles, Bernedoodles, Aussiedoodles, etc.), merle doodles inherit a wonderful mix of traits from their parent breeds. Most of our merle puppies are energetic, social, and super trainable. We start working with them on crate training, potty habits, and socialization from a young age, so they’re already off to a great start when they go home.

We often hear that our merle doodles become therapy dogs, service companions, or just the best backyard buddies for kids. The coat might be what draws you in, but it’s the temperament that makes you fall in love.

Merle Puppies: A Peek Behind the Scenes

Let’s give you a little behind-the-scenes peek at how we raise our merle pups here at JLDD.

Once our moms are confirmed pregnant, we begin preparing for delivery. Our whelping team is on-call 24/7 to make sure every pup arrives safely. From the moment they’re born, the puppies are under constant supervision and given the very best start to life.

We also follow the Puppy Culture program, which includes enrichment, problem-solving exercises, and exposure to new sights and sounds. These programs are especially helpful for merle doodles, who are often a little more visually or audibly sensitive due to their unique genetics.

Each day, our staff spends time with every single puppy—tracking their progress, observing their personalities, and documenting their preferences. When matchmaking time comes around at eight weeks, we know exactly which puppy will be the best fit for your lifestyle.

But What About Grooming Merle Doodles?

Merle doodles have coats just like any other doodle—they can range from wavy to curly depending on genetics. The color pattern doesn’t change how much grooming they’ll need.

All doodles benefit from regular brushing, occasional trims, and a solid grooming routine.

We start getting puppies used to brushing and being handled early on, which helps a ton once they go home. Our goal is to make grooming a non-event—just another part of life that’s no big deal.

Questions We Hear All the Time About Merle Doodles

Here are some of the most common questions we get about merle doodles—and our honest answers:

Do merle doodles shed more? Not necessarily! Shedding is more dependent on coat type than color or pattern. We test our parents for coat traits to help predict how much (or little) a puppy will shed.

Are merle doodles good with kids? Absolutely, assuming the individual puppy has the right temperament for your household. That’s where our matchmaking process really shines—we’ll help pair you with a puppy who loves the energy and chaos that comes with a kid-friendly home.

Are there any special health concerns? As we mentioned earlier, double merles are at risk for vision and hearing problems. But a responsibly bred merle (from one merle and one non-merle parent) is generally as healthy as any other doodle. At JLDD, we prioritize health testing and genetic screening to avoid known risks.

Are merle puppies more expensive? In some programs, yes—but we do our best to keep our pricing fair and consistent based on overall demand, training levels, and litter planning. We don’t price gouge just because a coat is popular. Every puppy in our program is raised with the same love and care.

The JLDD Difference

When you get a merle doodle from JLDD, you’re not just getting a beautiful dog. You’re getting a puppy that’s been thoughtfully bred, intentionally raised, and carefully matched to your family.

We offer lifetime support to every one of our puppy families. Whether your pup is 10 weeks or 10 years old, we’re always here to answer questions, offer training advice, or just hear how your dood is doing. Our goal is to create lifelong relationships—not just quick transactions.

And if you want to go the extra mile, we offer multiple levels of puppy preschool training. Your merle doodle can stay with one of our trainers for an extended program that focuses on manners, potty training, leash walking, and more.

Why We Love Merle Doodles

At the end of the day, we love merle doodles because they’re not just pretty faces. They’re intelligent, loving, joyful companions that bring so much personality into your home.

Their one-of-a-kind looks are just the cherry on top. When you adopt a merle doodle from JLDD, you’re welcoming a healthy, happy, and well-rounded pup into your family—and we’ll be there with you every step of the way.

If you’re considering a merle doodle or just want to learn more, reach out to us. We’d love to help you find your perfect match. After all, helping great people find great dogs is what we do best.

Jenna and the JLDD Team