Merle Sheepadoodles: Colors, Patterns & Breeding
- JennaLeeDesignerDoodles
- Aug 10
- 4 min read
If you’ve ever seen a Sheepadoodle with a mottled, patchwork coat that looks like a watercolor painting, chances are you’ve met a merle Sheepadoodle. These eye-catching dogs turn heads at the park and rack up likes on Instagram—but there’s more to merle than meets the eye.
Before you start picturing puppy cuddles, it’s worth knowing what makes merle Sheepadoodles so unique, what health factors to be aware of, and how to find a breeder who’s doing things right. Let’s dig in.
What “Merle” Means in Dog Genetics
Merle isn’t a color so much as it is a pattern. It creates that mottled look by affecting how pigment is distributed in the coat. The gene responsible is located at the M-locus and alters the way color appears on each hair shaft, leaving some patches fully pigmented and others diluted.
There’s more than one “version” of merle, too.
Blue merle: Black base lightened into slate gray with black patches.
Red/chocolate merle: Brown base with lighter tan or cream mottling.
Cryptic (hidden) merle: Looks solid to the eye but carries the merle gene—important for breeding decisions.
The kicker? You can’t always tell a merle by sight alone. That’s why genetic testing matters so much.
More info about Sheepadoodles:
Can Sheepadoodles Be Naturally Merle?
A Sheepadoodle is a cross between a Poodle and an Old English Sheepdog (OES). The OES breed standard includes blue merle as an accepted color, so merle can come from that side of the family tree.
Poodles, on the other hand, are where things get a little… controversial. Many breed historians say merle was not present in purebred poodles until fairly recently, suggesting it was introduced through outcrossing. Whether you care about that depends on your priorities—but it does mean you should know exactly where your puppy’s merle gene is coming from.
Merle Color Variations in Sheepadoodles
Merle Sheepadoodles don’t all look the same. Here are some of the most common variations you might see:
Blue Merle – The “classic” Sheepadoodle look from OES lines.
Red/Chocolate Merle – Requires the brown gene, often from the poodle parent.
Phantom Merle – Merle pattern plus tan points on eyebrows, muzzle, and legs.
Brindle Merle – Merle overlay on a brindle base (rare).
Eye color adds another layer of variety. Blue or odd-colored eyes aren’t unusual in merle Sheepadoodles.
Merle Coat Changes Over Time
Here’s something many first-time merle owners don’t expect: your dog’s coat may change dramatically as they age. Both Poodles and OES can carry a gene called progressive greying, which lightens hair over time.
That bold merle pattern on your 10-week-old pup might look softer and more muted by the time they’re two. Grooming plays a role too—a shorter cut can make the merle pattern look crisper, while a long, shaggy coat blends the colors together.
Health Considerations & Double-Merle Risks
Merle is gorgeous, but it comes with a serious breeding consideration. When two merles are bred together (merle × merle), there’s a chance of producing double merle puppies.
Double merles (M/M) are at significantly higher risk for:
Congenital deafness
Vision problems, including small or abnormally shaped eyes
Eye defects like colobomas
The good news? A single merle (M/m) isn’t inherently less healthy than any other coat type—as long as breeders avoid merle-to-merle pairings and follow up with proper health testing.
Testing You Should Expect From a Breeder
If you’re shopping for a merle Sheepadoodle, here’s what an ethical breeder should be able to provide:
DNA Merle Test Results – Done through a reputable lab, showing each parent’s M-locus genotype (e.g., m/Ma, m/M).
BAER Hearing Test Results – Confirms puppies and breeding dogs have normal hearing.
Ophthalmic Exam Results – Conducted by an ACVO-certified vet.
Standard OES/Poodle Health Panels – Hip, elbow, and genetic disease screening.
If a breeder can’t or won’t provide these, it’s time to walk away.
How to Choose an Ethical Breeder of Merles
Finding a responsible doodle breeder is like dating—you’re looking for transparency, good communication, and shared values. Some quick pointers:
No merle × merle pairings. This is non-negotiable.
Full disclosure on health testing, including copies of actual reports.
Willingness to show you adult photos of past merle puppies so you can see how coats mature.
Focus on temperament and health over hyping “rare” colors for big markups.
Merle Sheepadoodle FAQs
Are merle Sheepadoodles rare? They’re less common than solid or bi-color coats, but rarity shouldn’t be your main reason for choosing one.
Do merles have more health problems? Not if they’re single merle and bred responsibly. The main risk comes from double merle breeding.
Will my merle Sheepadoodle’s coat stay the same? Probably not—most will fade or soften over time.
Can a non-merle produce merle puppies? Yes, if they’re a cryptic merle (carry the gene but don’t show the pattern).
Merle Sheepadoodles are show-stoppers, no doubt about it. But the beauty comes with responsibility—both from breeders and from future owners who ask the right questions. If you do your homework, you can bring home a healthy, happy pup who’ll turn heads for years.
And remember: in the world of doodles, proof beats promises every time.
Buyer’s Checklist for Merle Sheepadoodles
Before you hand over a puppy deposit, ask your breeder:
“Please share PMEL/M-locus genotypes for both parents. Which lab ran the test?”
“Do you ever pair merle × merle? I only want a merle-to-non-merle pairing.”
“Will you provide BAER results for the puppies and hearing/eye exam results for merle parents?”
“Can you show me adult photos of previous merle puppies from your program?”
“Which core Old English Sheepdog/Poodle health tests do you run beyond color genetics?”
Jenna and the JLDD Team
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