Last Updated on April 22, 2023
When a dog has blue eyes, it’s stunning to look at. There are quite a few dog breeds that can produce blue-eyed pups. So, if you’re looking to bring home a new furry friend and want one with blue eyes, we’ve compiled a list for you.
Sometimes, dogs can have multicolored eyes or they can cause some issues.
Keep reading to learn more about dog breeds with blue eyes.
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What Breeds of Dogs Have Blue Eyes?
Both purebreds and mixed breeds can produce blue eyes. In addition, some dogs will have a certain coloring, such as merle, that can cause blue eyes.
For example, some merle breeds that can have blue eyes are the Australian Shepherd or the Border Collie.
Genetic abnormalities, such as albinism can also cause blue eyes in dogs, but it’s a rare occurrence.
Additionally, some dog breeds naturally carry the recessive blue gene. Siberian Huskies, for example, are one of the most common dog breeds to have blue eyes.
Blue eyes in dogs is more rare than you’d think, but there are plenty of dog breeds that can produce baby blues. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Toy and Small Dog breeds With Blue Eyes
First, let’s take a look at some of the toy and small dog breeds that can have blue eyes. These doggos are small but can pack a punch and are full of personality.
1. Alaskan Klee Kai
The Alaskan Klee Kai was bred for companionship and not as a working dog. Therefore, it’s not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
They look like Miniature Huskies and can have icy blue eyes. Or their eye color can be brown, hazel, or green. This doggo will make a great family dog but they are not friendly with strangers.
2. Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)
It’s rare for the Shetland Sheepdog to have blue eyes. However, this eye color in Shelties is allowed by the AKC for blue merles.
This doggo has a moderate prey drive and has the urge to chase smaller animals due to their herding background. Luckily, they don’t get separation anxiety, but they’ll love to play and run around with you.
3. Shih Tzu
This adorable lapdog can have blue eyes, but it’s not as common. Shih Tzus are playful and are great with kids. They’ll make an excellent family dog.
However, when it comes to grooming, they’ll need daily brushing to keep the shedding at bay from their long, flowing coat.
Overall, this pooch is independent and stubborn, but they’re friendly and loyal.
Medium-sized dog breeds with blue eyes
Next, here are a few medium-sized dogs that can produce blue eyes.
4. Australian Shepherd
If you see an Australian Shepherd that has a merle coat color, then chances are they have light blue eyes.
However, this high-energy pup has greater chances of having a mix of blue and brown eyes.
These herding dogs will do well with an active family. They’re loyal to their family members and might be stand-offish with strangers.
5. Border Collie
The Border Collie is one of the most intelligent dog breeds. They are also energetic and will need plenty of physical and mental stimulation.
This dog’s eyes can be different colors, such as shades of brown, gold, and, of course, blue. Blue eyes are more common in this breed that has a merle coat pattern.
6. Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Cardigan Welsh Corgis are known for their short legs, long bodies, and adorable big ears that stick straight up. Blue eyes are more common if this pooch has a double merle coat.
However, they may have a combination of blue eyes, one blue eye, and one brown eye, or a little of both colors in each eye.
7. Dalmatian
Dalmatians have a stunning spotted coat and can have beautiful blue eyes to go along with it. Unfortunately, this pooch typically has hearing loss in one or both of its ears.
Therefore, this dog breed will need to have early socialization and training to keep them in line. However, they’ll make a great family dog. They’ll be an excellent playmate for older children.
8. Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies are a great dog breed for any active family. Additionally, this pooch was initially bred as companion dogs and pulling sleds.
These beautiful wolflike pups have icy blue eyes. They can also have brown eyes or heterochromia of both. Most commonly, though, you’ll see this pup with baby blues.
Large and Giant Dog Breeds With Blue Eyes
Finally, there are some large and giant dog breeds that can have blue eyes as well. These gentle giants will be great for any family and are absolutely adorable.
9. Catahoula Leopard Dog
Catahoula Leopard Dogs typically have spotted coats that can come in a variety of colors. In addition, their eye color can vary as well.
For example, this energetic pooch can have eye colors in blue, amber, brown, green, or a combination of them. Finally, this doggo is loyal and affectionate but can be protective of its family.
10. Great Dane
This working dog will typically have stunning blue eyes if they have a dapple coat or a merle pattern. Most Great Dane puppies are born with blue eyes, and then the eye color changes to brown as they mature.
These gentle giants are loving, but they are protective and will make great watchdogs.
11. Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog might have blue eyes, brown eyes, or one of each color. They typically have a lighter blue eye color than other dog breeds that have blue eyes.
This pooch has a thick double coat that needs routine grooming. In addition, Old English Sheepdogs are stubborn pups.
12. Weimaraner
The Weimaraner is great with children and was bred in Germany for hunting but grew popular as companion dogs. They are also called the Gray Ghost as they’re well-known for their silver-gray coat, which is easy to groom.
In addition, this doggo has beautiful blue eyes or amber eyes to complement its coat.
Other Dog Breeds that Can Have Blue Eyes
Wait, the list doesn’t stop there! There are plenty of other dog breeds that can have blue-eyed puppies.
Some of these dogs might not have blue eyes as commonly as those listed above, but here are a few more purebreds that can have blue eyes.
- Alaskan Malamute
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Basset Hound
- Beagle
- Bergamasco Sheepdog
- Boxer
- Cane Corso
- Cocker Spaniel
- Dachshund
- German Shepherd
- Great Pyrenees
- Mastiff
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Pitbull (American Pitbull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier)
- Rottweiler
- Springer Spaniel
Mixed Breeds that Can Have Blue Eyes
If purebreds can have blue eyes, then you can bet that crossbreeds can also have this eye color. In addition, hybrids will inherit various genetic traits from their purebred parents.
So blue eyes can certainly be passed down to these mixed breeds.
- Aussiedor
- Aussiepoo
- Aussie Siberian
- Border Aussie
- Gerberian Shepsky
- Goberian
- Horgi
- Huskador
- Husky Inu
- Pomsky
- Saint Berhusky
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How common are blue eyes in dogs?
Given this list of dog breeds with blue eyes, one would think blue eyes are common. But, believe it or not, blue eyes are a recessive gene. Most breeds can produce blue eyes, but it’s rarer in some dogs than others.
Puppies are often born with blue eyes. Depending on their breed and genetics, they may keep their blue eyes throughout their life, or their eye color will change.
For example, Great Danes will most likely be born with blue eyes, but the color will vary as they grow older.
What does it mean if a dog has blue eyes?
Blue eyes in dogs occur when there’s a lack of pigment in the eye. A pooch with blue eyes isn’t necessarily a bad thing. There are many reasons a dog can have blue eyes.
For example, the blue eye gene can be inherited. This is partially why some dog breeds, like Huskies, commonly have blue eyes.
In addition, dogs can also have the merle gene. This affects their coat, allowing a dog’s coat to be white, blue, red, or other colors.
It affects the eye color as well, resulting in blue eyes. They can also sometimes have one blue and one brown eye or two-tone eyes.
Albinism, which is the lack of melanin, also causes blue eyes. In fact, albino dogs always have blue eyes. Finally, most puppies are born with blue eyes.
However, the eye color can change as the puppy grows older and more mature.
Are blue-eyed dogs more prone to health issues?
Unfortunately, blue eyes can lead to health problems later on in a dog’s life. For example, albino dogs are more prone to blindness and deafness.
Cataracts can also occur. While it’s typically found in older dogs, it can occur due to aging, illness, or injury. It can be treated but lead to blindness if left untreated.
Cataracts are usually noticed when one of your pup’s eyes or both of them look cloudy or hazy.
When there’s pressure in the eye, Glaucoma can occur. This is painful, and treatment will need to happen right away. In addition, your dog’s eye will have a blue or gray hue to it.
Heterochromia is when a dog has two different colored eyes. The merle gene can cause it. Some dogs may be prone to it or due to loss of pigmentation. Unfortunately, this can sometimes cause issues such as glaucoma or cataracts.
Corneal Dystrophy can also make one or both of your dog’s eyes look cloudy or hazy. Fortunately, it’s harmless and will not affect your pooch’s vision. A veterinarian should still monitor it, though.
A vet should still monitor another harmless issue but it’s Nuclear Sclerosis. It’s more commonly found in older dogs and will cause a blue tinge in their eyes.
Other issues that occur in older dogs with blue eyes may be Stromal corneal dystrophy, Anterior uveitis, or Hepatitis blue eye.
When looking for a new pup to add to your family, you might end up looking at various breeders.
However, before buying a puppy, you want to do your research on the breeder and ensure they know all about the parents and their litter. This includes their health history.
Blue eyes occur with the merle gene. However, if two merle dogs are bred together, they can have double merle coats. Unfortunately, you don’t want a double merle, leading to many eye problems and deafness.
Dog breeds that already carry the merle gene are the Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Collie, Great Dane, Dachshund, and Bergamasco, just to name a few.
Luckily, you can breed two dogs together if one carries the merle gene and the other does not.
Can white dogs have blue eyes?
Yes, white dogs can have blue eyes. In fact, dogs with a white coat will always have blue eyes.
Most often than not, an all-white coat is the result of Albinism. This genetic mutation always results in a white dog lacking pigmentation in the hair, eyes, and skin.
Thus, the dog will always have a white coat, blue eyes, and pink skin.
What dogs are black with blue eyes?
Many dogs have black coats and blue eyes. Remember, if a dog carries the blue gene, then it can produce blue eyes.
Dogs with partially black coats can have blue eyes. For example, the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Klee Kai, and Australian Shepherd all can have black in their coat. Dalmatians, of course, have white coats with black spots.
Other breeds can come in black, such as the black Dachshund.
There are, however, some black dog breeds that don’t typically have blue eyes. So, for example, you most likely won’t see a Black Labrador Retriever with blue eyes.
What are breeds you should avoid if you want a dog with blue eyes?
Albinism can occur in any dog breed, but it’s rare. The most common eye color in dogs is brown. So, if you’re looking for a blue-eyed pup, there are some purebreds to stay away from.
For example, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, Beagles, Dobermans, and German Shepherds are a few breeds to avoid.
Which Dog Breed With Blue Eyes Is Right For You?
Even though blue eyes in dogs is a rare recessive gene, there are quite a few breeds that can produce baby blues. Dogs sport blue eyes in a beautiful way, most of them having bright, icy eyes that complement their coat color nicely.
While it may look nice, other eye colors in dogs are just as cute. It’s not recommended to search for a dog solely based on their eye color, though. There are a few reasons for this.
One reason is that blue eyes can cause some health issues down the line. While it may happen to older dogs most of the time, it can lead to blindness and deafness and cause other health conditions.
The other reason is that all dogs will love their family no matter what color their eyes are. Breeds have different temperaments, and their eye color does not affect that.
So, some pups might be better suited for their family than others.
Overall, blue eyes can really make a dog’s coat color pop. They’re beautiful to look at and show the eagerness in a dog’s eyes.
Further Reading: Other Dog breeds with Special Physical Features
Cess is the Head of Content Writing at K9 Web and a passionate dog care expert with over 5 years of experience in the Pet Industry. With a background in animal science, dog training, and behavior consulting, her hands-on experience and extensive knowledge make her a trusted source for dog owners.
When not writing or leading the K9 Web content team, Cess can be found volunteering at local shelters and participating in dog-related events.