diff --git a/deepmerge/merger.py b/deepmerge/merger.py
index c1f747e..5ccd568 100644
--- a/deepmerge/merger.py
+++ b/deepmerge/merger.py
@@ -36,9 +36,9 @@ def type_conflict_strategy(self, *args):
         return self._type_conflict_strategy(self, *args)
 
     def value_strategy(self, path, base, nxt):
-        if not (isinstance(base, type(nxt)) or isinstance(nxt, type(base))):
-            return self.type_conflict_strategy(path, base, nxt)
         for typ, strategy in self._type_strategies:
-            if isinstance(nxt, typ):
+            if isinstance(base, typ) and isinstance(nxt, typ):
                 return strategy(self, path, base, nxt)
+        if not (isinstance(base, type(nxt)) or isinstance(nxt, type(base))):
+            return self.type_conflict_strategy(path, base, nxt)
         return self._fallback_strategy(self, path, base, nxt)
diff --git a/deepmerge/tests/test_full.py b/deepmerge/tests/test_full.py
index c7710cd..799db19 100644
--- a/deepmerge/tests/test_full.py
+++ b/deepmerge/tests/test_full.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 from deepmerge.exception import *
+from collections import OrderedDict, defaultdict
 import pytest
 
 
@@ -48,3 +49,12 @@ def test_example():
     always_merger.merge(base, next)
 
     assert base == {"foo": "value", "bar": "value2", "baz": ["a", "b"]}
+
+
+def test_subtypes():
+    base = OrderedDict({"foo": "value", "baz": ["a"]})
+    next = defaultdict(str, {"bar": "value2", "baz": ["b"]})
+
+    result = always_merger.merge(base, next)
+
+    assert dict(result) == {"foo": "value", "bar": "value2", "baz": ["a", "b"]}