If so,where did you get him/her,Is it blind and/or deaf?THanks!!!
2007-02-25 11:27:34 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I had one a long time ago. I got him from the local shelter because they were going to put him to sleep even though he was a puppy. He was around 6 months when I got him, and he was deaf at the time. He was incredibly smart, and I had him hand-signal trained in just about a week. He would stay very close to me and he usually wasn't very jumpy but he did startle easy. He lost his vision slowly, and it was completely gone by the time he was three. He was so scared and nervous that he would only sit in the corner, and he got to where he would snap at anyone that he did not know. I finally had to have him put to sleep, and I was just a mess about it. I just felt that it was cruel for him to be terrified all of the time and it was kinder to put him out of his misery. At least I gave him an extra 3 years, but I still felt (and still do feel) horrible.
2007-02-25 11:37:48 · answer #1 · answered by iluvmyfrenchbulldogs 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
To answer Genevieve's question also - merle to merle is a color breeding.
A merle is a diluted color & IN GENERAL - merles probably shouldn't be bred to one another because problems can result.
Puppies can be born blind and or deaf, and can also be born WITHOUT EYES. Awful - huh?
Merle to merle breedings CAN produce normal merled puppies.
They can also result in double merles - also known as double dilutes - because the puppies inherit the diluted color gene from both parents. SOME of these double merles, or double dilutes, are perfectly healthy - they just look different. They are mainly white in color, with small patches of merle markings.
Some of these double dilutes are called "lethal grays" because they are born with various health problems, which are caused by the diluted genes. These can include liver & heart problems, as well as the aforementioned lack of hearing, sight & eyes.
Now - to answer the original question - I personally have not ever owned an Aussie - but I do own Collies. We also have merles (only blue - not red.)
There are double dilutes around who are healthy - but you don't see a whole lot of them. I think that most of the double dilutes who are "lethal grays" are probably humanely euthanized at birth.
But yes - there are healthy ones out there.
http://www.colliedog.org/Flurry.jpg
2007-02-26 00:29:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but i wouldn't recommend breeding merle to merle, or buying one when the breeder was actually stupid enough to breed merle to merle. Many are blind or deaf, it just depends.
But I guess if you wanted to rescue one that would be good.
2007-02-25 19:34:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most breeders will put the white or mostly white Aussies down at birth because they usually do end up deaf, blind or both. It is hard to find good homes for dogs that are healthy that can hear and see let alone with handicaps. If you are interested in getting one you should contact a breeder. If you agree to spay or nueter the animal they may let you have the dog in return of giving it a good home.
2007-02-26 09:15:49 · answer #4 · answered by dac46219 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What does that mean merle to merle?
2007-02-25 23:18:46 · answer #5 · answered by Genevieve R 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no, but i'm so happy for you!!!! aussies are the best dogs ever! you go girl! :)
2007-02-25 19:38:58 · answer #6 · answered by jilly babe 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋