Mysterious and rare, the alluring gaze from a dog with blue eyes makes a stark and striking impression. Few breeds have blue eyes (even fewer have green eyes), but those that do are sought-after pets.
Blue eyes are common in some breeds while elusive in others. Some dogs inherit blue eyes as a character trait from the parent or due to mutations in other genes.
Can Dogs Have Blue Eyes?
Like the Siberian Husky, some breeds come with blue eyes as a genetic trait, and it shows up in all puppies from birth, staying with them for life.
Other breeds receive blue eyes due to activation of the merle gene, giving the coat a mottled look while turning the eye color different shades of blue or green. Merle dogs may also have different colored eyes.
Do Blue Eyed Dogs Have Vision Problems?
Some breeds, especially those with the merle mutation, may experience early-onset vision problems. Issues like cataracts, iris clouding, and buildup of scar tissue produce a milky effect in the eyes that worsens over time.
This effect isn’t across all species, but some are worse than others, like the Aussie Shepard and border Collie.
13 Blue-Eyed Dog Breeds
We curated this list of some of our favorite breeds with blue eyes!
American Pit Bull Terrier
Personality: Friendly, loyal, playful, and confident
Pitbulls are our favorite breed when it comes to blue-eyed dogs. The pup in this picture is an exquisite example. Its snow-white albino coat complements its blue eyes in a color-combo that’s rare in Pitbulls.
Those pits that do get the blue-eyed gene always have a striking appearance and impression when you first lay eyes on them.
Pitbulls also experiences color mutations in hues of green, grey, and yellow. Interestingly, blue-eyed Pit Bull faces disqualification from dog shows, according to guidelines set by the AKC (American Kennel Association).
Aussie Shepherds
Personality: Athletic, agile, friendly, intelligent
The Aussie Shepard is an excellent example of the merle mutation. This dog has a characteristic mottled tri-color coat and blue eyes.
Aussie shepherds tend to have light blue eyes, one the ice-blue side of the color spectrum.
These dogs are highly intelligent and easy to train. They respond well to people and enjoy being around you for the company. They make excellent working dogs, and they do well at shows.
Siberian Husky
Personality: Quiet, playful, caring, athletic
The Siberian Husky is a visually-striking animal. This breed has a distinctive wolf-like look, with brilliant blue eyes. They're athletic and impatient, and they love running away for hours on end - you'll never catch them.
The Siberian Husky can have green, blue, or brown eyes, depending on its genetic heritage.
The husky has a gene, the ALX4 (appearing on chromosome 18), linked with the development of blue eyes. The husky has Russian origins, where the Chukchi locals breed them as working dogs that live in packs.
Dachshund
Personality: Energetic, friendly, Curios, affectionate
Dachshunds have a merle gene that gives the same mottled tri-color effect, as you find in the Aussie. The dogs are cute as puppies, and they have short stature.
Merle mutations result in blue eyes in Dachshunds, giving them “puppy-eyes” that melt any heart. If the parents have mottled or dappled coats, its likely the puppies will also inherit this trait.
Dachshunds require plenty of affection, and they love being around you all day. They enjoy playing, and they get along well with other small dogs.
Weimaraner
Personality: Affectionate, confident, intelligent, obedient
The Weimaraner is another breed that comes with blue eyes. It's a hunting dog with a legacy of deer and bear hunting. The dog's lithe body and sleek profile compliment the grey coat with ice-blue eyes.
Also known as the "Gray Ghost," the Weimaraner lives up to the moniker in its appearance and behavior .
These dogs are quiet and can sneak up on intruders without making a sound. Most Weimaraner's appear blue-eyed at birth. However, they begin to produce melanin as they age, turning the eyes a different color.
Border Collie
Personality: Loyal, athletic, agile, intelligent
The Border Collie and Aussie Shepherd are cousins, with a similar appearance and personality. However, the collie favors a black-and-white coat, while the Aussie has a merle, tri-color pattern.
It’s common for collies to come with one blue eye and one brown. They’re a working dog that loves to run, and they become dedicated ball hounds if you have the time to play with them.
These dogs have a history as herding dogs in the British Isles, and they’re a part of British culture, especially in the Midlands.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Personality: Boisterous, energetic, friendly, curious
Both Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis can come with blue eyes. However, it’s more common with the Cardigan breed.
Surprisingly, these short-statured dogs are farmworkers built for the Welsh countryside. The merle gene in these dogs is responsible for producing blue-eyed mutations.
They’re great for herding sheep, and the dog’s stocky body is somewhat powerful. These dogs love to run and leap, and they are a sight to behold, running across a field at full speed, jumping into the air every 30-feet.
German Shepherd
Personality: Loyal, intelligent, brave, athletic
The German Shepard makes a great companion and a fierce watchdog. This loyal breed occasionally features a blue-eyed mutation, giving the dog a striking visual impression.
On many occasions, the blue-eyed mutation only affects one eye. Dogs with two blue eyes are rare.
The German Shepard originated in Germany in the early 1800s. This dog is responsive, intelligent, and easy to train.
Farmers would rely on the dog to protect sheep from predators like wolves. As a direct descendant of the wolf, you can clearly see the genes present in the dog.
Dalmation
"Is that a ghost I see? Oh, no it's just Monday sneaking up!" Still just as scary!!
Personality: Proud, social, intelligent, playful
Blue-eyed Dalmatians are a rarity, but they do exist. The same genes responsible for the changes in eye color also affect hearing.
Therefore, it’s common for blue-eyed dalmatians to lose their hearing faster than other dogs.
The blue-eyed version of this dog looks striking against the black and white spotted coat.
They’re friendly animals and quiet dogs. They enjoy playing, and they love strutting around with their tail in the air after you give them a treat.
Shetland Sheepdog
Personality: Intelligent, loyal, athletic, agile
This breed is another working dog that features the blue-eyed merle mutation. If the parents have mottled coats and blue eyes, they’re likely to pass on the same genes to the pups.
This breed enjoys running, and it’s a working dog with a history of herding sheep.
The Merle gene in Shetland Sheepdogs produced different effects in this breed. If the pups have dappled coats, they’re more likely to have lighter-blue coloring in the eyes.
These dogs are highly intelligent, and they live to please you. They require daily exercise to stop them from getting bored and digging up the yard.
Alaskan Malamute
Personality: Playful, friendly, athletic, energetic
The Alaskan Malamute is a relative of the Husky, and many people confuse the two breeds. Malamutes are more common with brown eyes, but many come with one or two blue eyes.
Some breeders claim that Malamutes with blue eyes are not a direct bloodline to the Malamute, and have more in common with huskies or the Alaskan Klee Kai.
Malamutes are working dogs. They pull sleds and get along well with pulling teams. They have a slightly larger stature than the husky, more strength, and more endurance, making them the ideal sled dog.
Alaskan Klee Kai
Personality: Playful, energetic, athletic, intelligent
The Alaskan Klee Kai is another example of a Husky/ Malamute breed that comes with blue eyes.
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a smaller version of the Husky, with many of the same visual traits. In some cases, Alaskan Klee Kai can easily look like Malamutes or Husky’s and often feature two blue eyes.
The eyes on this dog can vary in tone, from ice-blue to a deep, dark blue. Some dogs may have color contrasts in both eyes, with one light and one dark eye.
They’re energetic and love to run; make sure you get them daily exercise.
Great Dane
(@thedaneofdc)Personality: Patient, affectionate, confident, stable
The Great Dane is a rock of any household. Despite its massive size, the Great Dane is great with kids and very gentle. This dog is a descendant of the guard dogs used in the Italian countryside to guard the region's vineyards and farms.
The Harlequin Great Dane features a grey coat, and if often comes with blue eyes. However, as the dog ages, it develops more melanin in the eyes, resulting in a change.
