Where Does the Merle Pattern Come From in Bernedoodles?

By Emily Scott, Rocky Road Doodles

If you have ever seen a Bernedoodle with a marbled coat pattern of swirled blues, silvers, or mottled chocolates, and striking rust, contrasting it all from those trademark eyebrows and cheeks, you were looking at a merle. It is one of the most visually stunning coat variations in the Bernedoodle world.

So where does merle come from? The short answer: the Poodle side of the pedigree, not the Bernese Mountain Dogs. But that answer opens a much longer conversation. Merle in Poodles is itself a topic of controversy. Old kennel club traditions met modern day infusions, in a clash of changing needs and politics. Understanding where it originates, how the genetics work, and why responsible breeding practices matter is essential for any family considering a merle Bernedoodle.

The Controversial History of Merle in Poodles

Bernese Mountain Dogs do not carry the merle gene. Their tricolor coats of black, white, and rust are produced by an entirely different set of genetic instructions. When you see a merle Bernedoodle, that pattern came from the Poodle parent without exception.

Merle is not a pattern that has historically existed in the Poodle breed. If you look at the history of the breed, merle was not part of the picture until the last couple of decades. The pattern entered the Poodle gene pool through crossbreeding with other breeds that naturally carry merle, most likely Australian Shepherds or though breeds like Shelties. It wasn’t a singular event and to imagine that these infusions didn’t occur for the centuries that proceeded this, with other additions, is naive. After enough generations, the outcrossed breed disappears in terms of detectability (there are genetic tests that can test for the detectable breeds) and it became part of the natural diversity within the breed. Half of the puppies that have come through those pedigrees would have still carried the same ancestors but would NOT have carried for the pattern and so even the non merle poodles that exist in the poodle populations still carry the same infusions of ancestors, but don’t carry the tell tale pattern. Red poodles were also the result of infusions in the last 50 years. A well known, much celebrated kennel, that was known for champion titled, Red pedigrees, introduced deep red color intensity into purebred poodle pedigrees through European Irish Setter lines in the 1970’s-1980’s. These also brought with them other advantages to the poodle gene pool, such as healthy genetic diversity that improved the inbred population, at a time when champion pedigrees and “popular stud” syndrome was causing a shrinking of genetic diversity in the breed.

The AKC only recently began allowing registration of merle Poodles, and the decision remains actively debated. Many traditional Poodle breeders argue that merle was introduced from outside the breed and undermines breed integrity. Others counter that the dogs are healthy and structurally sound, and that coat color should not be the primary focus when health and temperament are strong. Thankfully it only adds to health and hybrid vigor within the Bernedoodle mix.

For Bernedoodle breeders, this history is interesting but also doesn’t create the same concerns because bernedoodle families are less interested in the poodle world’s sense of holding onto tradition for the sake of tradition. Health and genetic diversity matters more than the color patterns trends in the Poodle show ring. A decade ago, there were still poodle breeders that wanted to blacklist other Poodle breeders for having multi colored poodles because they preferred solid colored dogs, even though Piebald or Part Poodles have existed in the poodle pedigrees for centuries.

How Merle Genetics Actually Work

The merle pattern is controlled by a specific gene known as SILV, also called PMEL17. This gene affects how pigment is distributed in the coat. When present, it dilutes pigmented areas in an irregular, random pattern, producing patches of lighter color interspersed with the full base color and creating that distinctive marbled effect.

The merle gene is dominant, meaning a dog only needs one copy to display the pattern. This is different from recessive traits where two copies are required. Here is the critical piece that every potential owner and breeder needs to understand:

One copy of the merle gene (Mm): The dog displays the merle pattern. This is considered safe and healthy. The coat is beautiful, and the single copy of the gene does not cause health problems.

Two copies of the merle gene (MM), known as double merle: This is where serious, life-altering health problems arise.

This distinction is the single most important concept in merle breeding and the reason responsible breeders take the precautions they do.

How Responsible Breeders Handle Merle

The rule is straightforward and nonnegotiable: don’t breed merle to merle. When one parent is merle and the other is non-merle, each puppy has roughly a fifty percent chance of inheriting the merle pattern. No puppy from this pairing can be a double merle because only one copy of the gene is available.

But responsible merle breeding goes beyond avoiding obvious merle-to-merle pairings. This is where cryptic merle becomes critically important.

A cryptic merle is a dog that carries the merle gene but does not visually display the pattern. It might look like a perfectly normal solid-colored Poodle with no hint of marbling. But genetically, it carries a version of the merle allele that could be passed to offspring. If a breeder pairs two dogs that both appear solid but one or both are actually cryptic merles, the result could be double merle puppies with all of the devastating consequences described above.

Merle at Rocky Road Doodles: My Approach

I use merle-carrying bernedoodles in some pairings because the pattern is beautiful and is unique to every pup but I approach it with the seriousness that the genetics demand.

Dogs in my program are DNA tested. I know the genetic profile of parents before any breeding takes place.

My merle puppies carry a single copy of the merle gene, paired with a non-merle parent. They get the beautiful pattern without the health risks associated with double merle. We are also careful to pair it with dogs that do not have excess white markings (excess white dogs AND merle are something that should be avoided). The merle pattern in my dogs doesn’t affect temperament, trainability, energy level, shedding, or any other trait that matters for life with your dog.

Merle Color Patterns in Bernedoodles

Merle does not produce a single look. Because it works by diluting the base coat color in a random pattern, the final appearance depends on what that base color is. In Bernedoodles, the most common merle variations include:

Blue Merle: This is what you get when the merle gene acts on a black base coat. The result is a gorgeous mix of steel gray, silver, and black in a marbled pattern. Blue merle is probably the most recognized and requested merle variation in Bernedoodles. The contrast between the dark patches and the diluted areas gives these dogs a truly eye-catching appearance.

Chocolate Merle and Red Merle: When merle acts on a brown or red base coat, you get warm, rich patterns of diluted and full-strength pigment in shades of chocolate, tan, and cream. Red merle Bernedoodles tend to have a lighter, more golden look overall compared to the cooler tones of blue merle.

Merle Tricolor: This is where things get really spectacular. A merle tricolor Bernedoodle combines the traditional Bernese tricolor markings (the white chest, facial blaze, and rust or tan points) with the merle pattern acting on the black or brown base. The result is a dog that has the classic Bernedoodle markings overlaid with the marbled merle effect. These are often the most visually complex and sought-after of all Bernedoodle color patterns.

Blue Eyes in a Merle Bernedoodle:

Often, the same dogs that carry Merle display bright blue eyes. They can have chips of blue or one blue, one brown eye or two blue eyes.

Pricing for Merle Bernedoodles

Merle Bernedoodles often command premium pricing compared to solid-colored or traditionally patterned littermates. This is driven by demand, as the pattern is striking and relatively uncommon.

The higher pricing also reflects the additional investment required to produce merle puppies responsibly. DNA testing, careful selection of pairing partners, and the genetic expertise required to manage merle lines all contribute to the cost of producing these puppies ethically.

That said, I always encourage families to prioritize health, temperament, and breeder practices over color. A well-bred solid-colored Bernedoodle from a responsible program is always a better choice than a merle puppy from a breeder who cuts corners on genetic testing. Color is the least important factor in choosing a dog that will be part of your family for the next twelve to fifteen years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the merle gene dangerous?

One copy of the merle gene is typically not an issue. A single-copy merle Bernedoodle is healthy and the pattern is purely cosmetic. The danger comes from double merle, when a dog inherits two copies. This is why never breeding merle to merle is so important. When proper testing and pairing protocols are followed, merle puppies are just as healthy as any other Bernedoodle.

Can you tell if a dog is merle just by looking at it?

Not always. Cryptic merle dogs carry the merle gene but may appear completely solid in color with no visible signs of the pattern. Visual inspection alone is not sufficient to determine merle status, which is exactly why DNA testing is essential and knowing the parent’s color genetics.

Does the merle pattern affect a Bernedoodle’s temperament or shedding?

No. Merle is a pigment pattern and nothing more. It affects how color is distributed in the coat, but it has absolutely no influence on temperament, energy level, trainability, shedding characteristics, or any behavioral trait. A merle Bernedoodle will have the same wonderful personality and low-shedding potential as any other well-bred Bernedoodle.

Why is merle in Poodles controversial?

Merle was not historically present in the Poodle breed. The gene was almost certainly introduced through crossbreeding with other breeds, most likely Australian Shepherds. Many Poodle purists view this as undermining breed integrity, while others argue the dogs are healthy regardless of coat color. The AKC only recently began registering merle Poodles, and the debate continues. For Bernedoodle programs, the important thing is that breeders are transparent about this history.

How do I know if a breeder is handling merle responsibly?

Ask specific questions. A responsible breeder should be able to tell you the merle status of both parents. They should never breed two merle dogs together, and they should be willing to explain why. If you see a breeder with an entire litter of puppies that are merle, they are likely breeding double merle parents. Typically, a litter would only have (on average) around 50% of the litter carrying merle, if bred to a single copy parent.

About the Author

Emily Scott is the founder of Rocky Road Doodles, where she has spent over ten years refining her Bernedoodle breeding program with an unwavering focus on health, temperament, and genetic transparency. Emily DNA tests every dog in her program and is committed to educating families about the genetics behind the beautiful dogs they welcome into their homes. Her approach to merle breeding reflects her broader philosophy: that responsible practices and honest communication produce the best outcomes for puppies and the families who love them.