Merle

(MrlMrl/nMrl/nMrl+) Merle

Merle adds dark spots to the pelt, though in non-dilutes it is not expressed and instead carried. nMrl spots are generally smaller patches of one color and spaced apart, while MrlMrl carriers have larger and more prominent patches of color, often with two darker colors. 

 nMrl+ and MrlMrl+ add an additional color to the spotting on the pelt for a total of two colors on nMrl+ and up to three on MrlMrl+.
Algolope with Merle (tan), denoted with the 't' or tan modifier, such as nMrl+t or nMrlt have a tan or cream color added to the coat, often on the tail, sides and other areas underneath the patches.

(nMrl) Single Allele Merle

With a single allele patches are generally small, but may touch edges with other patches and can cluster. Often single allele Merles look lightly merled with sparse patches.

Only one color can be used and it should be darker than the base coat or what it sits on.

(nMrlt) Single Allele (Tan)

A single color can be used for the patches, they remain small and follow prior rules. Tan accents sit underneath the darkest merle patches but can be layered freely with any other patch colors.  The Tan color can be pulled from the Natural Accents Slider and should be natural to the coat. 

(nMrl+) Single Allele + modifier

With the same rules as prior, however a second color can be used for patches. The color can be lighter or darker than the base coat or what it sits on and patches of color can overlap.

(nMrl+t) Single Allele +(Tan) modifier
Up to two colors, one darker and the second set lighter or darker, with tan accents underneath the patches. The Tan color can be pulled from the Natural Accents Slider and should be natural to the coat. 

(MrlMrl) Dominant or Double Allele Merle
In double allele Merle, patches can be various sizes with the max size of a single patch being about the size of an algolopes head. The patches may overlap to appear as larger clusters. MrlMrl can have up to two colors with the first color being darker than the base coat and the second color either darker than the first color or lighter than the first. The second color may also be lighter than the base coat. 

(MrlMrl+) Dominant + modifier
In double allele Merle+, the prior rules apply, and one additional color either darker or lighter can mix with the patches. For a total of 3. In Dominant Merle+, adding a third color is optional.

(MrlMrlt) Dominant (Tan)
Up to two colors for the patches with the first set being darker than the base color and the second color being lighter or darker with tan accents under the darkest patch color and layered freely above or below other color patches.The Tan color can be pulled from the Natural Accents Slider and should be natural to the coat. 

Quick Reference:

t - Adds 'Tan Accents' which is a soft accent color pulled from the Natural Accent Slider. Note that 'Tan' does not have to be tan colored and can be any color natural to the coat. Tan can sit over or under all patches but the darkest color patches.

+ - Adds one additional color. This color can be lighter or darker than the base coat or whatever it sits on. It can also be an intermediate color between the base coat and the darkest patch color.

nMrl - One Patch Color

MrlMrl - Up to Two Patch Colors

Merle only shows on Dilute Coats (dd) and is otherwise carried on Dilute Carriers (Dd) or Non-Dilutes (DD).

Variation:

Merle can have it's own nuance in the patches, the nuance should be the same throughout similar colored patches.

• Merle sits above or below most markings, above all base coat modifying markings and below white marks and reversed white marks.

• Merle can optionally cover the fore legs, or the legs can be colored via Pigeon freemark. 

• Merle patches can have fur texture on furred areas. Tan areas should be blended or soft.

• Merle patches can use colors from the Natural Accents Slider as long as the color is natural to the coat and 'darker' than the base color or otherwise follow specific genotype rules. 

• Tan can use any color from the Natural Accents Slider as long as the color is natural to the coat.

Examples: (minis below are not suitable references for ranges. They depict edge varieties, possible color options and shapes. See chart above for acceptable ranges.)