Silver Merel

Question
Ken-

I recently purchased a male silver merel.  He is beautiful and more than we expected in owning a Dane.  His joints are not straight on his legs.  He is only 10 weeks old and we are currently giving him vitamens in addition to quality food.  Is this common?  We also are thinking of breeding him.  I understand that due to him having the merel gene it is not a good idea but if I were to breed him with a black,  harlequin or blue bitch would the chances of having deaths, blind, deaf pups lessen?  We did not purchase him to show or breed but he has a good disposition for potential pet owners and would like to give him the chance to have offspring.  

Thank you for your time.

Answer
1  There is no such thing as a silver merle, just a merle.

2  All young and old danes are beautiful.

3  Front leg joints are enlarged because that is where the growth comes from, they are called growth plates.  If you are worried see a vet who is used to large galloping breeds.

4  Knock off the vitamins.  His food should have all he needs.  Choose a complete diet and minced tripe.  If you can't stand tripe get your butcher to bone and mince breast of lamb of beef brisket.  Go to www.bengraftongreatdanes.me.uk and download our diet sheet and puppy notes.

5  The so called fatal gene is called that because of the high risk of producing blind, deaf and deformed puppies.  You can't breed him unless you can find a bitch owner who wants to use him.  Reputable/experienced breeders will not touch him.  The only mate for him would be a black bred from black for several generation and that is not possible.  Mating to harelquin means tou could be mating with a bitch carrying the piebald gene.

6  You can't show him because merle is registered with the KC as a mis-marked harlequin.  The only registerable colours are fawn, brindle, blue, black, harlequin and mantle.

7  All danes have a good disposition if purchased from a show breeder, they have to have good temperaments to be alloowed in the show ring and bred from.  If you give him 'the chance to have offspring' he will be constantly looking for bitches to mate which means he will be a nuisance when out walking.  Why do you want to give him the chance to have offspring, he hasn't asked for them?