I am looking for a show class Blue Merle Sheltie Male. Obviously must be K C registered. North of England preferred but can travel. Any puppy up to 12 months old please.

I would consider a female too...I know these are quite rare but if anyone knows of a breeder that has a planned litter that would include a Blue Merle I'd be grateful to know...have tried various breeder sites to no joy..

http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/

Click Breed Standards, Pastoral, Shetland Sheepdog :D :D  List of clubs at the bottom   They would be the best place to start

Very kind of you Dill but have tried all those within my area for travel with no luck. I'm really upset. I've been looking for nearly 18 months now and although I want a show class dog it is mainly going to be a pet. I had a Rough Collie but would like the smaller version now.

could you e-mail me , i may be able to help you

Please make sure that your puppy has been eye tested by an Opthalmologist for CEA.

Since you are wanting a specific colour,show quality etc you may have to be prepared to travel in order to get what you want.Although it is sometimes hard to travel it is worth the effort to get the right dog.
Archer

I missed the show quality bit!!
Your best bet would be to go along to some Championship shows (the breed clubs will be able to tell you the ones within travelling distance of your area) and watch and watch and watch!
After a few times, you will be able to see the "type" that you like.  I would suggest that you approach a kennel who consistantly produces stock that is placed at Champ Shows, not necessarily the top kennel.  You will then stand a chance of getting a potential show quality puppy, although size is a problem in the breed and breeders often run on a number of pups until 6 months or so, to see how they grow.  You would stand a chance (if you show sufficient interest and commitment)of having the older pup who may not be up to the standard that an experienced exhibitor would be looking for, but a lovely puppy as your first show dog.
Still make sure that the pup was eye tested for CEA before it was 10 weeks old.

Really, I think 'show class' at 8 weeks or so is a bit hopeful, a promising pup - one with no obvious faults and an outgoing personality from (as Val said) a breeder who produces consistent quality is about the best you can hope for at that age.  This is why breeders 'run on' a few pups for 6 months or so.  I would be going to the shows and getting to know the breeders, finding a type I like and a breeder I trust and looking for a nice 'even' litter which the breeder has difficulty choosing from, if they're from a good line, they should develop well but nothing is certain in dog breeding :D

Even better than just the eye screening is a puppy from DNA tested CEA clear parents of course

Moonmaiden do you know many sheltie breeders who are DNA testing for CEA?

I am on the waiting list hopefully for a blue merle bitch of show quality, have been waiting over a year now, but they don't do the DNA test, only the other one, and the grandmum of the bitch has CEA but there are no other breeders which have the lines I like. In border collies loads of breeders are having the test done, and they've made the big databases, but I haven't seen anything like that for shelties!

Char