The parents that are likely to have a merle dog will have a dog that may be merle as well. There are 3 alleles (variants) for merle: Red Merle Border Collie 3 Years Old Red Merle Border Collie Collie Border Collie Puppies However, like the blue merle counterpart, they tend to have a “marbled” look in their eyes. Red merle dog color . Merle only dilutes eumelanin (black) pigment; Tricolor dogs may look similar but typically lack the characteristic marbling of merle. The red is the liver color. The merle coloring is one of the trademarks of these dogs. Merle coat is a distinct genetic pattern seen in certain dogs, giving them a mottled or patched appearance. According to a veterinarian lynn buzhardt, two colors are responsible for the dog’s color. Below are the recognized coat colors miniature american shepherds you should know: Red merle dogs are marbled, light cinnamon to dark liver color with copper points on the face and legs. And, you will also find copper high...