Double Merle and Health Issues

[FrostysHuman]

Around 3 years ago, I got a best friend. Everyone always asks what "coloring" he is, but all I could say is he was some sort of merle coloring... Frosty is white with black and grey markings, along with a pair of blue eyes. Markings on the face, also.

As for the parents... The dam appears to be completely white with very few grey markings. The stud was a bi. Just black and white with brown eyes. I'll attach links to pictures of my Frost. Someone once told me he was a piebald... Hmm.

I know double merle shelties can be born with disabilities. Our second Sheltie had SEVERE seizures due to being in-bred, we adopted her from a shelter without being told about her disabilities. We made sure she had a happy life as our beloved companion. But Frosty can see and hear everything... Barks at it all!

One of the pictures is after his surgery a year and a half ago. He broke a hip and needed surgery. Vets said it could possibly be genetic. He received therapy for a year afterwards.

I'll attach links here:
(The blue merle is my parents' Sheltie, Indigo. Both have been spayed/neutered)
http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/FrostysHuman/media/Frost1_zpsd87e6a10.jpg.html
http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/FrostysHuman/media/Frost2_zps0a4671e5.jpg.html
http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/FrostysHuman/media/Frost3_zpsf4228778.jpg.html
http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/FrostysHuman/media/Frost4_zpsebb53d9a.jpg.html

So my question is.. Is he a double merle? If not, what is his coloring "officially"? Thank you so so much for reading my post and answering my questions.

From a Sheltie lover to another,
Emily

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

A couple of options, depending on what color the dam actually was. She could have been a double merle bred to a solid dog, which theoretically produces 100% merles. Or she could also have been a blue color-headed white. I'd have to see pictures and pedigree to speculate any better.

I don't think your dog is a double merle. It's got too much color on the head. I think it's another example of that recessive merle patterning that we saw in the other puppy in the other link. Added to the white factoring that is going on there as well, and you just have a dog with way too much white.