Merle staffy?

Just browsing pets for homes as I do occasionally ( I don't want anothe, just like to look at puppies! lol) and I came across this advert...
http://www.pets4homes.co.uk/classifieds/12189-staffy-pups-for-sale-crewe.html
Now, is it just me or is the second puppy here merle? If so, what's that about? I've never heard of it in staffies before! As for them being KC registered, I'll bite my tongue there...

Don't know about that myself. Interesting look.

Obviously a very unscrupulous web site not the dogs fault , but I agree with Ben would be a very interesting look, who knows maybe the eventual owner will find their way onto here and we will see

Yes, it's a merle. And it can't be KC registered (not under its proper colour, anyway) as the KC won't register merle staffs.

I don't know if the owner thinks it's a blue & white or whether they're a con artist - either way, it's bad.

I've emailed the owner & reported the advert.

I feel so strongly about this that I have also reported them to the kennel club.

Well done caryll let us know if anything happens

Merle is such a bad colour/pattern. It causes so many health problems it's unbelievable. Even in collies the kc won't register pups from a mating of 2 merles, and merle has been around in collies for donkey's years.

Well done Caryll I knew merles can't be registered, that's why I was scratching my head over that advert! There's some horrible folk out there, hope the poot little mite gets the owner/life he deserves.

When I was looking for a dog I can across another advert forva merle staffie, I'm not sure if it was KC reg or not though. I thought when I saw it it was unusual. What health problems do they have? I didn't know you couldn't register them.

They suffer from deafness, blindness, kidney/liver problems & skin problems - probably much more as well.

People get around the non-registration by saying they are blue or blue & white on the forms. the kc can't physically check every pup registered.

It's a shame they can't be governed. I'm almost certain those pups aren't KC registered though, they don't look like "proper" staffs to me. I'm no expert mind and I have nothing against crosses either but I don't believe for the price they're asking they are.

They might be the result of two registered staffs mating, but that doesn't mean that either of the parents were 'good enough' to mate. There are plenty of registered dogs that only bear a passing resemblance to staffs!

Just checked - they've taken the pic of the merle pup off the advert. I still wonder if they'll try to sell it as registered.

Strange looking staffy pups IMO

Big floppy ears and not chunky

I just wonder if the KC will follow it up. I doubt it.

i bet they not kc regsitered

Maybe not - or the pup's been registered as a blue.

Id love to be able to go around and see them and ask questions!

I'm still seeing the pic, Caryll. Merle is a discualification in Pit Bulls and AmStaffs, as well. I, personally, don't like the look of the color any more than I like the health problems that go along with it. I would never have a merle dog.

CatStina wrote:I'm still seeing the pic, Caryll. Merle is a discualification in Pit Bulls and AmStaffs, as well. I, personally, don't like the look of the color any more than I like the health problems that go along with it. I would never have a merle dog.

You're right - the pic's back on!

I meant what I said to them, though. I've already contacted the KC & I will be phoning Trading Standards in the morning. What they have said is fraudulent.

I've reported the advert, as well. I hate seeing merle in breeds it doesn't belong in!!

It doesn't look very nice. It looks like its eyes have something wrong with them. God help whoever take it I think they will get a nasty shock. Worst will be if some idiot takes it and just dumps it cause they can't be arsed

Someone should phone and ask what's left cause it says there is only two if love to know if it's been regimes already

I've just spoken to the breeder on the phone.

He tried to register the pups (there were 2 blue merles) as merle but the forms were rejected by the kc. He then phoned & said how could he register them - the answer he got was that he must put the primary colour on the form & then add + brindle/white etc. He assumed that they meant that's how he should register the merle pups, but actually they meant that he could not register blue merle but only the others & that was how he should do it.

He was actually very polite & interested in the explanation & has promised to get back to me about what the kc have to say on the matter. Both merle pups have been sold to family members & he will make them aware of the problems.

He has kept a merle bitch & was going to breed from her in a couple of years, but has now decided that he won't as it can only lead to further problems. I've given him the details of the forum - maybe he'll join!

Good going Caryll! At least you've made him aware of the problems further breeding could cause

Wow! That's awesome Caryll!!

Caryll thats great! I love how we can educate people. Thats really nice of you well done

CatStina wrote:Wow! That's awesome Caryll!!

That is awesome, well done!

I'm not sure if he'll feel the same when it comes to breeding another litter, though. I tried to put him off breeding from the merle bitch and he says he won't, but who knows when the time comes.

He says he didn't realise that there could be problems as he owns one of the grandparents which is also a blue merle.