COLLIE CLUB OF MAINE, INC.MINUTES FROM THE APRIL 21, 2018 MEETING

The April 21 meeting of the Collie Club of Maine was held at the home of Dick and Barbara Halloran in Waldoboro. Members present were: Kathie Bangs, Joyce Chamberlin, Dick and Barbara Halloran, Martha Mayne, Joan Scialdone, Arlene Towle, Debbie Valenti and Jeanette Wheeler. Our guest was Mahlon Wheeler and collie kids, Laddie and Roma.

The meeting was called order by Kathie Bangs at 1:30PM.

The minutes from the February meeting were motioned for approval by Martha Mayne and seconded by Debbie Valenti.

Barbara Halloran gave the Treasurer's report which was motioned for approval by Joyce Chamberlin and seconded by Jeanette Wheeler. Barbara will be ordering several short sleeved tee shirts in various sizes along with a few additional long sleeved tee shirts, in our new club design.

The Specialty report was given by Kathie Bangs. Thank you notes from both Susan King and Nancy Hayes were read. A discussion followed regarding the many errors the club had to deal with regarding Show Secretary, Lori Carver. Kathie will get in touch with Rachel Torran and Alice Smith to see if either of these Show Secretaries would be available to us for the 2019 Specialty.

Due to an error on Kathie's part, additional first place rosettes will need to be ordered and mailed out to those exhibitors not able to receive them at the Specialty. Eighteen will need to be ordered from Hodges Badge Company. The High In Trial Rossetti in Obedience, which was not picked up by the exhibitor will also need to be mailed out.

Suggestions were taken for the 2019 Specialty. For conformation, Raylene Hendricks, Joe Purkheiser and Maryanne Sullivan. Joan Kirkland has already agreed to judge for one of the shows. Obedience and Rally, Linda Moore and Michael Calhoon.

It was unanimously decided to once again offer 3 Specialties for 2019.

The contract for 2019 with the Doubletree Hotel in So. Portland has been received by Kathie. Rooms will be available at $125.00 per night. There is also the True Hotel on

COLLIE CLUB OF MAINE, INC.MINUTES FROM THE APRIL 21, 2018 MEETING

The April 21 meeting of the Collie Club of Maine was held at the home of Dick and Barbara Halloran in Waldoboro. Members present were: Kathie Bangs, Joyce Chamberlin, Dick and Barbara Halloran, Martha Mayne, Joan Scialdone, Arlene Towle, Debbie Valenti and Jeanette Wheeler. Our guest was Mahlon Wheeler and collie kids, Laddie and Roma.

The meeting was called order by Kathie Bangs at 1:30PM.

The minutes from the February meeting were motioned for approval by Martha Mayne and seconded by Debbie Valenti.

Barbara Halloran gave the Treasurer's report which was motioned for approval by Joyce Chamberlin and seconded by Jeanette Wheeler. Barbara will be ordering several short sleeved tee shirts in various sizes along with a few additional long sleeved tee shirts, in our new club design.

The Specialty report was given by Kathie Bangs. Thank you notes from both Susan King and Nancy Hayes were read. A discussion followed regarding the many errors the club had to deal with regarding Show Secretary, Lori Carver. Kathie will get in touch with Rachel Torran and Alice Smith to see if either of these Show Secretaries would be available to us for the 2019 Specialty.

Due to an error on Kathie's part, additional first place rosettes will need to be ordered and mailed out to those exhibitors not able to receive them at the Specialty. Eighteen will need to be ordered from Hodges Badge Company. The High In Trial Rossetti in Obedience, which was not picked up by the exhibitor will also need to be mailed out.

Suggestions were taken for the 2019 Specialty. For conformation, Raylene Hendricks, Joe Purkheiser and Maryanne Sullivan. Joan Kirkland has already agreed to judge for one of the shows. Obedience and Rally, Linda Moore and Michael Calhoon.

It was unanimously decided to once again offer 3 Specialties for 2019.

The contract for 2019 with the Doubletree Hotel in So. Portland has been received by Kathie. Rooms will be available at $125.00 per night. There is also the True Hotel on

the Doubletree site, that may have rooms available at a lesser rate. Judges will be housed in the main tower of the hotel, so as not to have interaction with exhibitors. Our food contract for the Saturday evening reception has been reduced from $1500.00 to $1000.00.

As Holly Whitney will not be available to be our Show Photographer for next year, Karen Hocker will be asked.

Signs will be posted next year in the outdoor exercise area not to leave your dogs unattended. Signs will also be posted indoors stating “show in progress” hoping to keep noise levels at a minimum. Dick Halloran suggested the club needs to keep the stewardsarea, ringside, clear of non-working attendees.

Debbie Valenti reported on her recent meeting with the Federation of Maine Dog Clubs. The subject of a breeder in Solon, Maine was addressed. According to the Federation's findings, this kennel had passed at least two inspections, one being by the state. The Federation feels their involvement is more geared towards legislation matters, rather than pursuing breeding kennels. They, as well as the State Animal Welfare Dept. feel that the purebred dog clubs should be more active in policing issues such as this Solon matter. Discussion followed about once again placing ads in Uncle Henry's, directing prospective buyers to the club for referrals. Susan Martin will be contacted to ask if she can reconstruct the working the club used several years ago. This will initially need to be presented to Uncle Henry's for their approval and rates. Our brochure, “So You thinkYou Want A Collie”, will be added to the club website, at Debbie Valenti's suggestion.

Relating to this topic, Kathie Bangs had several brochures and handouts copied for the club to use at up-coming functions. These are provided by the CCA. Jeanette Wheeler, Debbie Valenti and Kathie all attended April's “Lawmakers to Pawmaker's” event held at the Hall of Flags at the state capitol and were able to meet an speak with several of our state's representatives. This is a yearly event sponsored by the Federation.

Joyce Chamberlin reminded the club of the Celtic Festival, a yearly event, being held onSaturday, July 21 in Belfast. Many of the Celtic Dog Breeds are showcased for the public to meet and greet. Joyce suggested having club members participate in this event and then forgo our regular July meeting. This will be discussed further at our May meeting.

Agility Trial:

Joan Scialdone reported that all paper work is completed and everything is on schedule for our June Trials. We will be having Famous Dave's providing the yearly barbecue once again. Tickets will need to be purchased in advance and are $20.00 per person.

the Doubletree site, that may have rooms available at a lesser rate. Judges will be housed in the main tower of the hotel, so as not to have interaction with exhibitors. Our food contract for the Saturday evening reception has been reduced from $1500.00 to $1000.00.

As Holly Whitney will not be available to be our Show Photographer for next year, Karen Hocker will be asked.

Signs will be posted next year in the outdoor exercise area not to leave your dogs unattended. Signs will also be posted indoors stating “show in progress” hoping to keep noise levels at a minimum. Dick Halloran suggested the club needs to keep the stewardsarea, ringside, clear of non-working attendees.

Debbie Valenti reported on her recent meeting with the Federation of Maine Dog Clubs. The subject of a breeder in Solon, Maine was addressed. According to the Federation's findings, this kennel had passed at least two inspections, one being by the state. The Federation feels their involvement is more geared towards legislation matters, rather than pursuing breeding kennels. They, as well as the State Animal Welfare Dept. feel that the purebred dog clubs should be more active in policing issues such as this Solon matter. Discussion followed about once again placing ads in Uncle Henry's, directing prospective buyers to the club for referrals. Susan Martin will be contacted to ask if she can reconstruct the working the club used several years ago. This will initially need to be presented to Uncle Henry's for their approval and rates. Our brochure, “So You thinkYou Want A Collie”, will be added to the club website, at Debbie Valenti's suggestion.

Relating to this topic, Kathie Bangs had several brochures and handouts copied for the club to use at up-coming functions. These are provided by the CCA. Jeanette Wheeler, Debbie Valenti and Kathie all attended April's “Lawmakers to Pawmaker's” event held at the Hall of Flags at the state capitol and were able to meet an speak with several of our state's representatives. This is a yearly event sponsored by the Federation.

Joyce Chamberlin reminded the club of the Celtic Festival, a yearly event, being held onSaturday, July 21 in Belfast. Many of the Celtic Dog Breeds are showcased for the public to meet and greet. Joyce suggested having club members participate in this event and then forgo our regular July meeting. This will be discussed further at our May meeting.

Agility Trial:

Joan Scialdone reported that all paper work is completed and everything is on schedule for our June Trials. We will be having Famous Dave's providing the yearly barbecue once again. Tickets will need to be purchased in advance and are $20.00 per person.

Joan will be looking into accommodations for our judges.

Jeanette Wheeler will be in contact with Richard Hillock from the campground regarding details for worker's lunches, etc. She will also be checking our inventory on ribbons to see what will need to be ordered.

Vendors attending so far will be Show Stoppers, Collie Rescue, Beanie Braided Tugs and Leashes and Arf and Running.

Jeanette Wheeler will be ordering the Porta Johns from Royal Flush, 3 standard, 1 handicap accessible and a sink. Arlene Towle will order the tent.

Set up for the trials will be at 11:00AM on Thursday, June 21. Any extra hands would be appreciated.

The meeting was adjourned on motion made by Jeanette Wheeler and seconded by Debbie Valenti, at 4:00PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanette Wheeler/Secretary

Joan will be looking into accommodations for our judges.

Jeanette Wheeler will be in contact with Richard Hillock from the campground regarding details for worker's lunches, etc. She will also be checking our inventory on ribbons to see what will need to be ordered.

Vendors attending so far will be Show Stoppers, Collie Rescue, Beanie Braided Tugs and Leashes and Arf and Running.

Jeanette Wheeler will be ordering the Porta Johns from Royal Flush, 3 standard, 1 handicap accessible and a sink. Arlene Towle will order the tent.

Set up for the trials will be at 11:00AM on Thursday, June 21. Any extra hands would be appreciated.

The meeting was adjourned on motion made by Jeanette Wheeler and seconded by Debbie Valenti, at 4:00PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanette Wheeler/Secretary

Calling all Agility enthusiasts! The Collie Club of Maine will be holding its Annual All Breed Agility Trials on June 22-24, 2018, at the Wassamki Springs Campground in Saco, Maine. Entries opened on May 2, and close at 6 PM on June 2. It is the only outdoor AKC agility trial held in the state of Maine. For more information and premiums, go to www.pawprinttrials.com. Mixed breed dogs are also welcome. There will be a retired agility demo on Friday, also a sanctioned B match on Friday, a scrumptious BBQ from Famous Dave’s on Saturday night and a Trick Dog Evaluation on Sunday afternoon from 10am-2 pm as well as a full offering of agility classes-standard, jumpers, FAST & Time2Beat.

We could use all the extra sets of hands from club members to set up on Thursday beginning at 11am & throughout the trial. No job too small; any help is welcome & appreciated! This is the money maker event that keeps the club solvent and able to put on other events. Please contact co-chairs Joan Scialdone (kollielady@gmail.com) and Jeanette Wheeler (mahlon@tidewater.net) if you can help out. Thank you in advance!

Here's the front page to our Agility Trial Premium List. Click on the above image to go to the Trial Secretary's website. From there, you can download the complete Premium List and enter the trials.

Calling all Agility enthusiasts! The Collie Club of Maine will be holding its Annual All Breed Agility Trials on June 22-24, 2018, at the Wassamki Springs Campground in Saco, Maine. Entries opened on May 2, and close at 6 PM on June 2. It is the only outdoor AKC agility trial held in the state of Maine. For more information and premiums, go to www.pawprinttrials.com. Mixed breed dogs are also welcome. There will be a retired agility demo on Friday, also a sanctioned B match on Friday, a scrumptious BBQ from Famous Dave’s on Saturday night and a Trick Dog Evaluation on Sunday afternoon from 10am-2 pm as well as a full offering of agility classes-standard, jumpers, FAST & Time2Beat.

We could use all the extra sets of hands from club members to set up on Thursday beginning at 11am & throughout the trial. No job too small; any help is welcome & appreciated! This is the money maker event that keeps the club solvent and able to put on other events. Please contact co-chairs Joan Scialdone (kollielady@gmail.com) and Jeanette Wheeler (mahlon@tidewater.net) if you can help out. Thank you in advance!

Here's the front page to our Agility Trial Premium List. Click on the above image to go to the Trial Secretary's website. From there, you can download the complete Premium List and enter the trials.

Tales from the 2018 Collie National in Virginia BeachJoan Scialdone

Tanner ran in the retired agility dog demo and came back with a sash with his name and performance titles printed on it. He is almost 12 and had a blast running a course again-got the zoomies, barked, bounced and just had a great time. Then 2 days later he showedin the 11 and over smooth Veteran dog class and came home with a Veteran rosette and pewter medallion.

Ring photo was taken by Jody Arseneault.

Tales from the 2018 Collie National in Virginia BeachJoan Scialdone

Tanner ran in the retired agility dog demo and came back with a sash with his name and performance titles printed on it. He is almost 12 and had a blast running a course again-got the zoomies, barked, bounced and just had a great time. Then 2 days later he showedin the 11 and over smooth Veteran dog class and came home with a Veteran rosette and pewter medallion.

Ring photo was taken by Jody Arseneault.

He is pictured here with his breeder, Kathy Moll, Deep River Collies in NC.

The Maine State Basket was won by Judy Bryant Here is a picture of Sherry Klein's setup.of Dea Haven Collies of Crossville,TN.She was thrilled with all the great goodies!

He is pictured here with his breeder, Kathy Moll, Deep River Collies in NC.

The Maine State Basket was won by Judy Bryant Here is a picture of Sherry Klein's setup.of Dea Haven Collies of Crossville,TN.She was thrilled with all the great goodies!

CH Eastleigh Night Circus went AOM at the National.CH Eastleigh Night Circus went AOM at the National.

Showtime!Martha Mayne

Martha the Groomer with Roma's first blue ribbon

Just like Kentucky Derby winner "Justify," Kirkhaven Free Spirit's Delite is very fast and super brainy! Roma began her career in the Obedience ring with great pizzazz, when she not only qualified in her third Beginner Novice trial, but also won a blue ribbon and her first leg that day at the Mid Coast Kennel Club of Maine Obedience Trialon Saturday, April 14th, followed by her second Beginner Novice leg on Sunday the 15th. She has also made her debut in the Breed ring, under the excellent handling of our own Joan Scialdone. Now that her coat is filling in nicely, she looks forward to returningto the Breed ring with "Auntie Joan" at the Vacationland Dog Club and York County Kennel Club trials on May 19th-20th at Wassamki Springs Campground, where she and Roy will also be back in the Obedience ring. The icing on the cake at the Mid Coast trialwas earning her Canine Good Citizen title the same day that she won her first blue ribbon! Roy the trainer and Martha the groomer feel that she is indeed off to a great startin collie show business!

Showtime!Martha Mayne

Martha the Groomer with Roma's first blue ribbon

Just like Kentucky Derby winner "Justify," Kirkhaven Free Spirit's Delite is very fast and super brainy! Roma began her career in the Obedience ring with great pizzazz, when she not only qualified in her third Beginner Novice trial, but also won a blue ribbon and her first leg that day at the Mid Coast Kennel Club of Maine Obedience Trialon Saturday, April 14th, followed by her second Beginner Novice leg on Sunday the 15th. She has also made her debut in the Breed ring, under the excellent handling of our own Joan Scialdone. Now that her coat is filling in nicely, she looks forward to returningto the Breed ring with "Auntie Joan" at the Vacationland Dog Club and York County Kennel Club trials on May 19th-20th at Wassamki Springs Campground, where she and Roy will also be back in the Obedience ring. The icing on the cake at the Mid Coast trialwas earning her Canine Good Citizen title the same day that she won her first blue ribbon! Roy the trainer and Martha the groomer feel that she is indeed off to a great startin collie show business!

Roma and Roy the Trainer are very proud Roma making her debut with "Auntie Joan" atof that ribbon! the CCNE/CCNH shows in Boxborough, MARoma and Roy the Trainer are very proud Roma making her debut with "Auntie Joan" atof that ribbon! the CCNE/CCNH shows in Boxborough, MA

COLLIE KALEIDOSCOPE, Variations in Collie Color…Kathy V. Moll, Deep River Collies. CCA Breed Education Guest WriterIntroduction:Armed with new research information to read suggested to me by my friend Dr. Leigh Anne Clark, we’ll be doing double duty in this article. It will be both a refresher on what we published five years ago in the colliesonline.com (http://www.colliesonline.com/may2009/coat-of-manycolors.php) and reprinted in the Bulletin on the mapping of the merle gene and the basics of collie coat color genetics and the latest research on white coats, harlequin pattern and normal grey (Maltese). Dr. Clark’s research is funded in part by a generous grant from the Collie Health Foundation.Let’s begin with an overview of “The Coat of Many Colors” written in collaboration with Leigh Anne and another friend and CCA member Dr. Mike Vaughan published on colliesonline.com and reprinted in the CCA Bulletin. At that time, Dr. Clark et.al had mapped the merle gene in all breeds adding significantly to knowledge of merle genetics. In 2005 Dr. Clark and her colleagues successfully mapped the merle gene in all breeds and published their findings in The National Academy of SciencesPNAS journal in January 2006.Breeders, fanciers and all collie lovers owe it to our breed to study and understand all genetic information, since even genes that seem unrelated to health and soundness, often are related. In some cases color and color modifier genes, as well as, color pattern genes are influential because of their proximity to other genes on strands of DNA and affect these close neighbor genes for good or ill.Collie Colors:The two base color genes in collies are brown (sable) and black (tri color). Most of us know that in our breed brown is dominant and black recessive. A puppy inherits one color gene from each parent. Therefore, if a collie inherits a dominant brown gene from each parent, he/she is a “pure for sable” (homozygous for brown). If on the other hand, a recessive black gene is contributed by each parent, thecollie will be a tri-color (homozygous for black). Some collies inherit a brown gene from one parent and a black one from the other making them tri-factored sables (heterozygous genetically although still brown in appearance).Dr. Vaughan explains the process that delivers color to a collie’s coat:Specialized skin cells produce pigments called melanins that come in black or brown. These are not free dyes, dissolved in the cell water but instead are solid pigment particles built up in tiny bodies called melanosomes. The skin pigment cells pass these melanosomes into hair follicle cells which produce the hair strand.If a hair follicle does not receive melanosomes, the hair strand it forms is un-pigmented, white, as in the majority coat of a white Collie or the neck region of colored collies (from the Irish pattern gene). If all the melanosomes that a growing hair strand receives contain black melanin, the hair strand itself will be black, as in the black areas of a tricolor collie. And if the melanosomes the follicle receives from the pigment cells are all brown, the hair strand will be brown, as in the brown coat of a pure sable or tan points on a tricolor.This process continues throughout the life of the dog, and with each fresh coat may alter the amount of pigment. An example is the mahogany sable coat of tri-factored sables. When puppies many look muchlike pure sables, and almost all the developing hair in the first coat is brown. However, as the dog ages, some black melanosomes are put into the growing hair strands, so the coat develops a deepening dark appearance.Merle Genetics:Unlike the collies’ two base color genes, the merle gene is not a color gene; in fact, it produces no pigment at all. There is no color gene in collies for blue coat color only for black coat and brown coat. The merle gene turns some parts of a black coat to grey by not allowing the black color to come

COLLIE KALEIDOSCOPE, Variations in Collie Color…Kathy V. Moll, Deep River Collies. CCA Breed Education Guest WriterIntroduction:Armed with new research information to read suggested to me by my friend Dr. Leigh Anne Clark, we’ll be doing double duty in this article. It will be both a refresher on what we published five years ago in the colliesonline.com (http://www.colliesonline.com/may2009/coat-of-manycolors.php) and reprinted in the Bulletin on the mapping of the merle gene and the basics of collie coat color genetics and the latest research on white coats, harlequin pattern and normal grey (Maltese). Dr. Clark’s research is funded in part by a generous grant from the Collie Health Foundation.Let’s begin with an overview of “The Coat of Many Colors” written in collaboration with Leigh Anne and another friend and CCA member Dr. Mike Vaughan published on colliesonline.com and reprinted in the CCA Bulletin. At that time, Dr. Clark et.al had mapped the merle gene in all breeds adding significantly to knowledge of merle genetics. In 2005 Dr. Clark and her colleagues successfully mapped the merle gene in all breeds and published their findings in The National Academy of SciencesPNAS journal in January 2006.Breeders, fanciers and all collie lovers owe it to our breed to study and understand all genetic information, since even genes that seem unrelated to health and soundness, often are related. In some cases color and color modifier genes, as well as, color pattern genes are influential because of their proximity to other genes on strands of DNA and affect these close neighbor genes for good or ill.Collie Colors:The two base color genes in collies are brown (sable) and black (tri color). Most of us know that in our breed brown is dominant and black recessive. A puppy inherits one color gene from each parent. Therefore, if a collie inherits a dominant brown gene from each parent, he/she is a “pure for sable” (homozygous for brown). If on the other hand, a recessive black gene is contributed by each parent, thecollie will be a tri-color (homozygous for black). Some collies inherit a brown gene from one parent and a black one from the other making them tri-factored sables (heterozygous genetically although still brown in appearance).Dr. Vaughan explains the process that delivers color to a collie’s coat:Specialized skin cells produce pigments called melanins that come in black or brown. These are not free dyes, dissolved in the cell water but instead are solid pigment particles built up in tiny bodies called melanosomes. The skin pigment cells pass these melanosomes into hair follicle cells which produce the hair strand.If a hair follicle does not receive melanosomes, the hair strand it forms is un-pigmented, white, as in the majority coat of a white Collie or the neck region of colored collies (from the Irish pattern gene). If all the melanosomes that a growing hair strand receives contain black melanin, the hair strand itself will be black, as in the black areas of a tricolor collie. And if the melanosomes the follicle receives from the pigment cells are all brown, the hair strand will be brown, as in the brown coat of a pure sable or tan points on a tricolor.This process continues throughout the life of the dog, and with each fresh coat may alter the amount of pigment. An example is the mahogany sable coat of tri-factored sables. When puppies many look muchlike pure sables, and almost all the developing hair in the first coat is brown. However, as the dog ages, some black melanosomes are put into the growing hair strands, so the coat develops a deepening dark appearance.Merle Genetics:Unlike the collies’ two base color genes, the merle gene is not a color gene; in fact, it produces no pigment at all. There is no color gene in collies for blue coat color only for black coat and brown coat. The merle gene turns some parts of a black coat to grey by not allowing the black color to come

through completely. The merle gene has exactly the same effect on a collie with two brown genes, turning some parts of a brown coat lighter brown by allowing less color to come through.Of course, when a collie has one brown color gene and one black color gene, it is still a sable, just a darker brown one. This darkening phenomenon is called epistasis (an interaction between genes). Epistasis means that the black recessive gene in a tri-factored sable is suppressed by the dominant brown gene that we call sable. The brown gene’s phenotype (appearance) is expressed, so it is epistatic while the suppressed black gene is hypostatic, and simply darkens the brown.The resulting collie is still a sable. So when a merle gene with no pigment acts upon the dark brown coat, lighter shades of brown come through.We’ll need a few definitions to understand how the merle gene works. For example, SILV is a gene thatproduces proteins, the melansomes that produce pigment. Another term, SINE, means short, interspersed mobile elements that insert themselves in SILV. Merles have the SINE needed to help create merling. However, SINE alone will not cause the collie in question to present visually as a merle. SINE must also have oligo(dA) also called poly(A) which creates a “tail” within SINE. So the presence of the SINE element is necessary but not sufficient to generate the merle phenotype; a poly(A)tail in the element is also required. The length of the tail controls the degree of merling seen in a collie. Collies with longer poly(A) tails present as merles, but the tail length controls the degree of merling and is responsible for the random degree of mottling as well as the randomness of eye color.It turns out that mutations occur in this string of “A’S” quite often as cells divide, decreasing the length of the stretch of “A’s”. The result is that as the body of a tricolor (with merle) puppy develops, (first as an embryo, and later, after birth) with clones of skin cells with mutations in the merle gene DNA, reversing the merle mutation allowing normal melanosomes to be made again. So this clone of skin cells, with normal melanosomes, loaded with black pigment, will produce a spot of hair that is black or grey producing a blue merle. When you next look at a blue merle Collie, look at the spots of black and grey on its body which give it its beautiful coat and think that you are literally looking at mutations. The merle gene is still there in those spots; it has just been turned back “on” in them, by the second mutation decreasing the string of “A’s”. One mutation is canceling the effect of another.A collie with little or no poly(A) will present as a cryptic (a merle who is not physically distinguishableas such or who mainly looks tri-color or sable with only slight hints of merling). Imagine my surprise when Leigh Anne called one day a few years ago to say that my tri rough Wiggy has a merle gene. She has not a trace of merling anywhere. She was bred only once to another tri rough and had 6 tri color rough puppies. I asked for a recheck! No mistake, she’s a true cryptic. For Wiggy, now age 14, the findings are moot but startling.

Merle Gene Influence on Eye Color & Ear & Eye Abnormalities:Merles, both blue (pure for black) and sable (pure for sable or mahogany sable), have random chances at pigmentation in eye color. The same SINE/poly(A) genetic information that randomly puts merling on these collies also allows for the following: both eyes brown, both eyes blue, one eye of each color, partial blue & brown in one or both eyes and blue flecks in brown eyes. So while eye size, shape and

through completely. The merle gene has exactly the same effect on a collie with two brown genes, turning some parts of a brown coat lighter brown by allowing less color to come through.Of course, when a collie has one brown color gene and one black color gene, it is still a sable, just a darker brown one. This darkening phenomenon is called epistasis (an interaction between genes). Epistasis means that the black recessive gene in a tri-factored sable is suppressed by the dominant brown gene that we call sable. The brown gene’s phenotype (appearance) is expressed, so it is epistatic while the suppressed black gene is hypostatic, and simply darkens the brown.The resulting collie is still a sable. So when a merle gene with no pigment acts upon the dark brown coat, lighter shades of brown come through.We’ll need a few definitions to understand how the merle gene works. For example, SILV is a gene thatproduces proteins, the melansomes that produce pigment. Another term, SINE, means short, interspersed mobile elements that insert themselves in SILV. Merles have the SINE needed to help create merling. However, SINE alone will not cause the collie in question to present visually as a merle. SINE must also have oligo(dA) also called poly(A) which creates a “tail” within SINE. So the presence of the SINE element is necessary but not sufficient to generate the merle phenotype; a poly(A)tail in the element is also required. The length of the tail controls the degree of merling seen in a collie. Collies with longer poly(A) tails present as merles, but the tail length controls the degree of merling and is responsible for the random degree of mottling as well as the randomness of eye color.It turns out that mutations occur in this string of “A’S” quite often as cells divide, decreasing the length of the stretch of “A’s”. The result is that as the body of a tricolor (with merle) puppy develops, (first as an embryo, and later, after birth) with clones of skin cells with mutations in the merle gene DNA, reversing the merle mutation allowing normal melanosomes to be made again. So this clone of skin cells, with normal melanosomes, loaded with black pigment, will produce a spot of hair that is black or grey producing a blue merle. When you next look at a blue merle Collie, look at the spots of black and grey on its body which give it its beautiful coat and think that you are literally looking at mutations. The merle gene is still there in those spots; it has just been turned back “on” in them, by the second mutation decreasing the string of “A’s”. One mutation is canceling the effect of another.A collie with little or no poly(A) will present as a cryptic (a merle who is not physically distinguishableas such or who mainly looks tri-color or sable with only slight hints of merling). Imagine my surprise when Leigh Anne called one day a few years ago to say that my tri rough Wiggy has a merle gene. She has not a trace of merling anywhere. She was bred only once to another tri rough and had 6 tri color rough puppies. I asked for a recheck! No mistake, she’s a true cryptic. For Wiggy, now age 14, the findings are moot but startling.

Merle Gene Influence on Eye Color & Ear & Eye Abnormalities:Merles, both blue (pure for black) and sable (pure for sable or mahogany sable), have random chances at pigmentation in eye color. The same SINE/poly(A) genetic information that randomly puts merling on these collies also allows for the following: both eyes brown, both eyes blue, one eye of each color, partial blue & brown in one or both eyes and blue flecks in brown eyes. So while eye size, shape and

set are genetically controllable through selective breeding, the presence of blue in the eyes of merles is not.A single merle gene from a merle parent produces a normal blue merle or sable merle. However, when each parent contributes a merle gene to offspring, problems arise. Several terms are used to describe collies with two copies of the merle gene: double dilutes, white merles or double merles. Double merlesusually have at least some vision and/or hearing impairment. However, these defects are not passed to the double merles offspring provided they are only bred to solid color collies – tri color or sable – with no merle gene. The resulting offspring will all be normal merles.The unwanted effects of doubling up on merle in one individual need explanation. Because the merle gene is apparently in close proximity on the strand containing genes for normal eye and ear development, doubling the merle gene reduces pigmentation necessary for proper development. Melanocytes are pigment-producing cells present in many tissues, including the epidermis, hair follicle,inner ear, and choroid of the eye. This explains why collies who receive a copy of the merle gene from each parent are double or homozygous merles that may have varying degrees of vision and auditory abnormalities.Contrary to the claims that double merles have other health problems due to having two merle genes noscientific support exists as far as I can determine. My own experience owning 4 double merle collies over the past 40 years also does not support infertility, shortened life span or more health problems thansingle merle or non-merle collies.

Merle Gene Modifier – Maltese:Merle gene modifiers that breeders call Maltese and harlequin are now better understood and can be viewed separately from disease genes that may alter coat color and pattern for completely different reasons. Starting on page 103 of the Bulletin’s June issue you’ll find a report covering Dr. Clark and her colleagues’ mapping of the collie genome and discoveries about the genetics of autoimmune diseases such as dermatomyositis (DMS). While the report’s main themes are DMS genetics and genome mapping, a side product of the research, was enlightening.Dr. Clark was able to sort out the mystery of normal grey Collie coat color (no relationship to lethal greys). In testing the DNA from several different normal grays, she discovered that these Collies are actually blue merles with an additional mutation that eliminates the visible spots and produces a nearly solid grey coat. Normal blue merle littermates to a normal grey have no more chance of producing normal greys than any other blue merle. Also, no health related problems are associated with the mutated merle gene that produces solid greys than with any other Collies. However, grey is not a color recognized in the Collie Standard; therefore, breeding collies with this mutation is undesirable.Dr. Clark cautioned breeders against euthanizing these normal greys because they will be the same as any other Collie without the mutation, except for their coat color. However, these normal greys when bred reproduce their grey color. If breeders do not want to propagate this color, they should not breed normal greys.

set are genetically controllable through selective breeding, the presence of blue in the eyes of merles is not.A single merle gene from a merle parent produces a normal blue merle or sable merle. However, when each parent contributes a merle gene to offspring, problems arise. Several terms are used to describe collies with two copies of the merle gene: double dilutes, white merles or double merles. Double merlesusually have at least some vision and/or hearing impairment. However, these defects are not passed to the double merles offspring provided they are only bred to solid color collies – tri color or sable – with no merle gene. The resulting offspring will all be normal merles.The unwanted effects of doubling up on merle in one individual need explanation. Because the merle gene is apparently in close proximity on the strand containing genes for normal eye and ear development, doubling the merle gene reduces pigmentation necessary for proper development. Melanocytes are pigment-producing cells present in many tissues, including the epidermis, hair follicle,inner ear, and choroid of the eye. This explains why collies who receive a copy of the merle gene from each parent are double or homozygous merles that may have varying degrees of vision and auditory abnormalities.Contrary to the claims that double merles have other health problems due to having two merle genes noscientific support exists as far as I can determine. My own experience owning 4 double merle collies over the past 40 years also does not support infertility, shortened life span or more health problems thansingle merle or non-merle collies.

Merle Gene Modifier – Maltese:Merle gene modifiers that breeders call Maltese and harlequin are now better understood and can be viewed separately from disease genes that may alter coat color and pattern for completely different reasons. Starting on page 103 of the Bulletin’s June issue you’ll find a report covering Dr. Clark and her colleagues’ mapping of the collie genome and discoveries about the genetics of autoimmune diseases such as dermatomyositis (DMS). While the report’s main themes are DMS genetics and genome mapping, a side product of the research, was enlightening.Dr. Clark was able to sort out the mystery of normal grey Collie coat color (no relationship to lethal greys). In testing the DNA from several different normal grays, she discovered that these Collies are actually blue merles with an additional mutation that eliminates the visible spots and produces a nearly solid grey coat. Normal blue merle littermates to a normal grey have no more chance of producing normal greys than any other blue merle. Also, no health related problems are associated with the mutated merle gene that produces solid greys than with any other Collies. However, grey is not a color recognized in the Collie Standard; therefore, breeding collies with this mutation is undesirable.Dr. Clark cautioned breeders against euthanizing these normal greys because they will be the same as any other Collie without the mutation, except for their coat color. However, these normal greys when bred reproduce their grey color. If breeders do not want to propagate this color, they should not breed normal greys.

Merle Gene Modifier – Harlequin:The subject of harlequin coat pattern in blue merle collies and shelties has been an interest of Dr. Clark’s for several years. Harlequin is not a color gene but rather a coat pattern. She believes harlequin in some collies results from a change in the DNA within or close to the merle gene. It is not the same gene that produces harlequin coats in Great Danes. In Danes the harlequin is predominantly a white dog with black torn patches. In collies and shelties a harlequin will usually have a white background with black patches as well, but may also have merling and tan points.Dr. Clark and her colleagues found and mapped the harlequin gene in Danes a number of years ago. Harlequin in Danes is located on a separate chromosome than the merle gene. No other harlequin dogs outside of the Dane breed have this same mutation. Dr. Clark discovered a collie kennel in Finland withharlequin pattern collies unlike the Dane gene and unlike the harlequin seen in most American collies. The reason for this uniquely dissimilar pattern is not known at this time.Most harlequin merles in breeds other than Danes reproduce a preponderance of harlequin blue merles, but can occasionally produce non-harlequin blue merles. Contrary to what some mistakenly believe, harlequin patterned Collies are not defective, and no additional health problems have been associated with the pattern.

New Research on White Coat Color:White coat color in all dogs, including color headed white collies, is currently under investigation. Research published 4 months ago by Korberg, et al sheds new light on white coats in a number of breeds, including collies. White coat in collies and shelties according to this new study is probably

Merle Gene Modifier – Harlequin:The subject of harlequin coat pattern in blue merle collies and shelties has been an interest of Dr. Clark’s for several years. Harlequin is not a color gene but rather a coat pattern. She believes harlequin in some collies results from a change in the DNA within or close to the merle gene. It is not the same gene that produces harlequin coats in Great Danes. In Danes the harlequin is predominantly a white dog with black torn patches. In collies and shelties a harlequin will usually have a white background with black patches as well, but may also have merling and tan points.Dr. Clark and her colleagues found and mapped the harlequin gene in Danes a number of years ago. Harlequin in Danes is located on a separate chromosome than the merle gene. No other harlequin dogs outside of the Dane breed have this same mutation. Dr. Clark discovered a collie kennel in Finland withharlequin pattern collies unlike the Dane gene and unlike the harlequin seen in most American collies. The reason for this uniquely dissimilar pattern is not known at this time.Most harlequin merles in breeds other than Danes reproduce a preponderance of harlequin blue merles, but can occasionally produce non-harlequin blue merles. Contrary to what some mistakenly believe, harlequin patterned Collies are not defective, and no additional health problems have been associated with the pattern.

New Research on White Coat Color:White coat color in all dogs, including color headed white collies, is currently under investigation. Research published 4 months ago by Korberg, et al sheds new light on white coats in a number of breeds, including collies. White coat in collies and shelties according to this new study is probably

caused by alleles for piebald. There are two (2) alleles of one white spotting gene in collies; one is “fixed” (Irish pattern) and one “segregates” (piebald). MITF is name of the gene for both. Piebald appears to be the allele responsible for color-headed whites.Irish spotting is characterized by modest white spotting and is responsible for white collars, belly coat, legs & feet, and tail tip. All collies are “fixed” for this Irish pattern allele, meaning all collies have two copies. Piebald causes limited to extensive white spotting. This piebald allele “segregates” in collies, meaning that some collies have no copies, some have one copy and some have two copies. One copy ofthe allele produces white factored but otherwise solid colored collies. Two copies create a color headed white.Not strictly on topic, but good white coat information anyway. I have sometimes heard the myth that dogs with white coats don’t make good herding dogs. I have always disagreed. Here’s a bit of herding trivia that supports the position that white dogs are not handicapped as herding dogs because of their color.Columella, Roman agriculture authority, wrote in the first century AD that shepherds preferred a white sheep dog “because it is unlike a wild beast, and sometimes a plain means of distinction is required in the dogs when one is driving off wolves in the obscurity of early morning or even at dusk.” This 2,000 year old observation counters the belief that white dogs don’t make good herding candidates because they are the same color as most sheep, and so do not get respect from the stock.Dr. Clark and her colleagues are studying more pieces of the collie genetic puzzle and answers and solutions will be pieced together in the future. We owe it to our collies to explore and understand what science tells us so that we can eventually view and appreciate the completed picture.As always, many thanks to Dr. Leigh Anne Clark for her assistance with this article! Special thanks to the Collie Health Foundation for their generous, ongoing funding of Dr. Clark’s research.

To read the article “The Coat of Many Colors” see one the two links below.http://www.colliesonline.com/may2009/coat-of-many-colors.phphttp://www.colliehealth.org/Summer_2014_Newsletter.pdf

Next Newsletter Deadline

...is June 15, 2018. This should give everyone plenty of time to gather up those brags, photos, Collie tales, and other goodies. My hope is to get everything into your hands before the June agility trials. As always, you can send them to my3seadogs@yahoo.com .

Many thanks!

Karen, your humble editor

Photo Credits This IssueJoan Scialdone, Martha Mayne, Jody Arseneault

Collie art by Anne Lively

caused by alleles for piebald. There are two (2) alleles of one white spotting gene in collies; one is “fixed” (Irish pattern) and one “segregates” (piebald). MITF is name of the gene for both. Piebald appears to be the allele responsible for color-headed whites.Irish spotting is characterized by modest white spotting and is responsible for white collars, belly coat, legs & feet, and tail tip. All collies are “fixed” for this Irish pattern allele, meaning all collies have two copies. Piebald causes limited to extensive white spotting. This piebald allele “segregates” in collies, meaning that some collies have no copies, some have one copy and some have two copies. One copy ofthe allele produces white factored but otherwise solid colored collies. Two copies create a color headed white.Not strictly on topic, but good white coat information anyway. I have sometimes heard the myth that dogs with white coats don’t make good herding dogs. I have always disagreed. Here’s a bit of herding trivia that supports the position that white dogs are not handicapped as herding dogs because of their color.Columella, Roman agriculture authority, wrote in the first century AD that shepherds preferred a white sheep dog “because it is unlike a wild beast, and sometimes a plain means of distinction is required in the dogs when one is driving off wolves in the obscurity of early morning or even at dusk.” This 2,000 year old observation counters the belief that white dogs don’t make good herding candidates because they are the same color as most sheep, and so do not get respect from the stock.Dr. Clark and her colleagues are studying more pieces of the collie genetic puzzle and answers and solutions will be pieced together in the future. We owe it to our collies to explore and understand what science tells us so that we can eventually view and appreciate the completed picture.As always, many thanks to Dr. Leigh Anne Clark for her assistance with this article! Special thanks to the Collie Health Foundation for their generous, ongoing funding of Dr. Clark’s research.

To read the article “The Coat of Many Colors” see one the two links below.http://www.colliesonline.com/may2009/coat-of-many-colors.phphttp://www.colliehealth.org/Summer_2014_Newsletter.pdf

Next Newsletter Deadline

...is June 15, 2018. This should give everyone plenty of time to gather up those brags, photos, Collie tales, and other goodies. My hope is to get everything into your hands before the June agility trials. As always, you can send them to my3seadogs@yahoo.com .

Many thanks!

Karen, your humble editor

Photo Credits This IssueJoan Scialdone, Martha Mayne, Jody Arseneault

Collie art by Anne Lively