Can Merle Bostons Be Purebred?
What about DNA testing?
Some long haired and even merle "Bostons" can test as "purebred" though novelty tests such as Wisdom and Embark. How does that happen?
DNA testing kits that are meant to identify a dog's breed, are only accurate for about three generations. This means that there could be a grandparent of a completely different breed that introduced the merle coloring and the DNA test would still say "100% Purebred Boston Terrier".
The fine print on most of the packaging on these tests will tell you it is for entertainment purposes and is not meant to determine purebred status of any dog. This is why registries do not accept the tests as proof that a dog is purebred. Even registration papers do not determine that a dog is purebred, as there is human error as well as human dishonesty. AKC will also refuse to register any Boston Terrier as "merle". Breeders with merle Bostons who have managed to obtain registration papers have lied about the color of the puppy. Merle Bostons do not get AKC papers without blatant dishonesty on behalf of those registering them.
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
It's a genetic impossibility, and here's why
The Boston Terrier cannot be merle and purebred at the same time because merle has some very specific genetic rules. One parent MUST be merle for merle to occur. It is not recessive and cannot rely on distant relatives carrying the gene, hidden for generations, to appear. Merle is very straightforward in its behavior and one parent needs to be merle colored for any offspring to be merle. The Boston Terrier breed has never had any merle ancestors, making it impossible for merle to be within the breed at all. Merle is only in a few breeds naturally, but due to the popularity of this fad color, merle is being mixed into MANY breeds including the Bulldog, the French Bulldog, Boxers, Poodles, etc. If a breeder sincerely did not mix any breeds with their Boston and has merles in their litter, they should check their fence because they have an "oops" in their breeding program.
There are cases when merle can be hidden by a red coat, and appear to have come from two non merle parents. However this only hides merle for a generation or two and does not create merles out of breeds with no previous history of merle breeds being introduced into the gene pool, or merle appearing through phenotype (outward appearance).
Merle "Bostons" are NEVER purebred.
OOPS!
Additional Facts About The Boston Terrier and Its History
Can Boston Terriers Have Long Hair?
Are Merle Boston Terriers Purebred?
Can Boston Terriers Have Long Tails?
Are Boston Terriers With Longer Noses Healthier?
Did Bostons Used To Be 40-50 Pounds?
Is There Anything Wrong With White Headed Bostons?
Are Boston Terriers With Blue Eyes Okay?
Were Boston Terriers Fighting dogs?