Last Updated on January 18, 2026 by Denise Leo
Discover what a Merle Pomeranian is and why this striking coat pattern is not part of the recognised Pomeranian breed standard in Australia. Discover the merle gene, potential health risks, and responsible breeding practices for Pomeranians from Pomeranians Australia.
Merle Pomeranians are known for their striking, mottled coat patterns and unique eye colours, making them stand out from the crowd. This page explores the facts, genetics, and considerations surrounding Merle Pomeranians in Australia—what you need to know before choosing one as your companion.
Merle Pomeranians’ distinctive coat patterns and unique colors, including the eye-catching blue eyes of blue merle Pomeranians or the gorgeous chocolate merle, represent a very interesting color pattern in the Pomeranian breed.
This splashed color pattern, ranging from white and tan markings to dilute black, showcases many possible combinations, making each Merle Pomeranian a standout. However, responsible breeding practices are crucial, especially in merle breedings, to prevent health issues like eye problems, which are more prevalent in double merles.
Merle Pomeranian Genetics
Merle is classified as a gene modifier that alters the colour pattern of a dog’s coat through its pigmentation. His eyes might also change to blue. A blue-eyed Pomeranian usually has a merle Pomeranian parent.
The merle gene lives on what’s called the M locus. A dog with one copy (Mm) shows the pattern; two copies (MM) can cause serious defects, and no copies (mm) means no merle pattern. DNA testing can reveal hidden or cryptic merle genes that aren’t visible to the eye.
Studies have revealed that Pomeranians with a Merle coat have existed for only a very short period. The Merle gene was not part of the original Pomeranian’s genetic makeup. It is believed that the Merle gene entered the Pomeranian gene pool in the late 1990s through crosses with Merle Shetland Sheepdogs and possibly other breeds. The colour then spread through unethical breeders, who sought novelty colours rather than preserving breed integrity.
As the Merle gene is dominant, unlike a recessive gene, it cannot remain hidden for many generations and suddenly appear. A Merle Pomeranian must have at least one Merle parent. Because the Merle gene was not originally part of the Pomeranian breed and did not naturally occur within it, there are legitimate concerns about the purity and authenticity of Merle Pomeranian bloodlines.
The ANKC, the English Kennel Club, the Canadian Kennel Club and the FCI have all taken positions against Merle Pomeranians by not permitting such dogs to be registered. This joint undertaking is commendable, given the numerous potential risks to the Pomeranian breed’s health and concerns about their parentage.
What is a Merle Pomeranian?
A Merle Pomeranian is a Pomeranian that carries the merle gene, which causes a distinctive pattern of mottled or marbled colours in the dog’s coat, skin, and sometimes eyes. The merle pattern can appear as irregular patches of lighter or darker shades over the base colour — such as blue, chocolate, red, or orange — giving the coat a unique, speckled look.
While the merle pattern can look striking, it’s not a traditional colour recognised in the original Pomeranian breed standard. The merle gene was introduced into the breed through crossbreeding with other merle-coated breeds. For this reason, responsible breeders registered with Dogs Australia (ANKC) generally do not breed merle Pomeranians, as maintaining breed purity and health is a priority.
It’s also important to note that double merle breeding (when two merle dogs are bred together) can cause serious health problems, including hearing and vision defects.
A Merle Pomeranian is a Pomeranian with a mottled coat pattern caused by the merle gene — visually distinctive, but not part of the approved Pomeranian colour range under the Australian Pomeranian breed standard.
Fast Facts about Merle Pomeranians
- Price tag: $2,000-$10,000 for the purchase alone.
- Then, a lifetime of everyday expenses and all the extras to look after multiple, severe health conditions.
- ANKC does not recognise the merle colour in the Pomeranian breed standard.
- Merle Poms are not classed as purebred in Australia and may have a different temperament from the average Pomeranian.
- They may be partially or completely deaf and/or blind from birth or develop these conditions at an early age.
- Because they may have been crossbred, they can be larger than a traditional purebred Pomeranian. They lack the correct double coat and have a long muzzle, flat feet, and large ears.
- Their pigment may be modified, and there may be changes to the eye color (usually blue) and coat color.
- Merle is a dominant gene, not a recessive one.
- A phantom merle is a merle that lacks the typical Merle phenotype.
Other dog breeds with the Merle gene include Collies, Dachshunds, American Pit Bull Terriers, Great Danes, and many others.
Registering a Merle Pomeranian with the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) bodies here in Australia is impossible because it’s not recognised as an official Pomeranian colour pattern. Because of this, the Merle Pomeranian is often bred due to unethical breeding practices.
Pomeranians and all other breeds with this specific merle gene tend to stand out because their coats can feature some incredible colours, spots, and blotches all over, and often appeal to buyers seeking something unusual. Over the past two decades, Pomeranians have become vastly more popular, partly due to the unique qualities and colors of their coats.
Merle Pomeranian Health Problems
Research links double-merle inheritance with congenital deafness and microphthalmia.
“Dogs with two copies of the merle gene are known as double merles … these dogs express the most extreme end of the merle spectrum, their coats contain little pigment, and they are born mostly white with multiple vision and hearing abnormalities.” veterinaryvisioncenter.com
Veterinary Vision Center. “Genetic Eye Conditions in Merle Collies”. Available at: https://veterinaryvisioncenter.com/genetic-eye-conditions-in-merle-collies/
All merle dogs are subject to serious health controversy, so no owner should consider them lightly. Any dog with merle attributes has an extremely high potential of being born blind and/or deaf.
Others might not be born with such isolating conditions but may face them down the track. A blue merle Pomeranian can also experience reproductive problems and issues with its heart and skeletal system.
All reputable breeders know they should never, under any circumstances, breed two Merle parents together because the puppies born to such parents face an enormous probability of suffering severe health issues.
In fact, the English Kennel Club has banned Merle Pomeranians completely. We strongly advise against breeding Merle Pom parents because we don’t want to jeopardise the lives of any Pomeranian puppy litter in this way.
Phantom Merle Pomeranians
A phantom Merle (a cryptic Merle) is a legitimate Pomeranian with the Merle gene. However, he shows no signs of being a Merle.
The identifying coat and eye colours might not be visible. The scientific name of a phantom merle is the “atypical merle,” and it may still produce merle puppies.
I recommend DNA testing your Pomeranian if you plan to breed it to ensure it has no hidden phantom Merle gene.
Buying a Blue Merle Pomeranian in Australia
Despite the rarity, pitfalls, and controversy associated with this specific Pom colour, it will be expensive to buy your own Pomeranian. The price tag for a Pomeranian typically ranges from $2,000 to $10,000.
Then, you also have all the other unanticipated health expenses to outlay. If you come across a Pom for only a couple of hundred dollars, you’re either very lucky, or that dog has something seriously wrong with him, or the advert is a scam, and the puppy does not exist.
The Pomeranian is a small, compact, and beautifully balanced toy dog — a round ball of fluff with a foxy little face, tiny erect ears, and a profuse double coat that gives it its trademark “powder-puff” look. This distinct breed type is instantly recognisable and the result of generations of careful, selective breeding by preservation breeders.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for many of the so-called Merle Pomeranians bred in Australia. Most lack the essential Pomeranian type — the short, compact body, correct coat texture, and refined head. A person seeking a true-to-type Pomeranian should avoid Australian-bred Merle Pomeranians, as these dogs often deviate significantly from the official breed standard.
That cute blue merle puppy may appear fluffy and appealing when young, but as an adult, it will not mature into the correct show Pomeranian form. Small, short-backed, and abundantly coated with a dense undercoat — the hallmarks of the Pomeranian — are traits sadly missing in most Merle Pomeranians produced in Australia today.
The blue merle Pomeranians, produced here in Australia, are bred with an emphasis solely on an easily marketed colour pattern. All the Merle Pomeranians in Australia originate from non-ANKC breeders.
The truth is that active preservation Pomeranian breeders breed the cutest puppies.
Before Buying a Merle Pomeranian – Ask:
- Are both parents’ DNA?
- Is the breeder registered with Dogs Australia?
- Is the colour listed on official pedigree papers?
- Has a veterinary ophthalmic exam been completed?
Merle Pomeranian Health Risks
It’s wise to ask about the parents of any puppy you’re interested in buying to verify that both parents are NOT Merle, because if they are, your puppies face a much higher risk of serious health problems.
Please note that Merle Pomeranian puppies may be prone to various health issues. If you make the buying decision, be prepared to look after him and the health challenges he might face to the best of your ability.
Merle Pomeranians in Australia
There’s a powerfully moral reason for not permitting the registration of Merle Pomeranians in Australia. Anyone purchasing a Merle Pomeranian puppy bred in Australia should be aware that they are supporting and encouraging unethical breeding practices.
The Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) does not recognise the colour, so Australian ethical preservation Pomeranian breeders do not breed merle Pomeranians.
| Registry | Merle Recognition | Notes |
| ANKC | ❌ Not recognised | Cannot be registered in Australia |
| KC (UK) | ❌ Not recognised | Merle is excluded from the breed standard |
| FCI | ❌ Not recognised | Cannot be registered in FCI countries |
| CKC | ❌ Not recognised | Cannot be registered in Canada |
| AKC (USA) | ⚠️ Recognised |
Merle Pomeranians Conclusion
In conclusion, the Merle Pomeranian’s distinctive, mottled coat and striking eye colours make it one of the most visually captivating variations seen in the breed. However, beneath this beauty lies a complex genetic story that deserves careful understanding.
While the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognises the merle pattern, Dogs Australia (ANKC) and other major international registries, including the Kennel Club (UK) and FCI, do not. This difference highlights an important message for Australian Pomeranian lovers — that maintaining breed purity and health must always take precedence over rare or fashionable colours.
Merle Pomeranians require the same love, care, and commitment as any other dog, but they also demand additional awareness of the genetic risks linked to the merle gene. Prospective owners should always verify that breeders conduct DNA testing and follow ethical, responsible breeding practices.
As enchanting as these dogs may appear, the true beauty of the Pomeranian lies not only in its coat but in its soundness, temperament, and the dedication of preservation breeders who safeguard the breed’s future.
If you are considering adding a Pomeranian to your family, choose a breeder who values health, ethics, and the official breed standard — ensuring that your new companion will enjoy a happy, healthy life for many years to come.
For more details on Merle Pomeranians, visit the Pomeranian Headquarters website.
Copyright Pomeranians Australia.
References and Further Reading:
[1] Official Standard of the Pomeranian (AKC). American Kennel Club, 2011.
[2] English Kennel Club Pomeranian Breed Standard, 2017.
[3] Denise Leo, The Pomeranian Handbook.
[4] Milo G. Denlinger, “The Complete Pomeranian.”
[5] Kimbering Pomeranians “1891-1991”.
[6] William Taplin’s “The Sportsman’s Cabinet.”
[7] E. Parker “The Popular Pomeranian.”
[8] Lilla Ives “Show Pomeranians.”
( Printed and shipped in Australia).
The Pomeranian Handbook by Denise Leo
