There are some dogs that will have blue eyes as a breed trademark, but there are others that might get blue eyes as a recessive trait. Other dogs that have a specific coat color, like merle or piebald, will tend to get blue eyes passed on to them.
If a dog had the merle or piebald gene, it would not be able to consistently create pigment, which is why they have blue eyes.
Similarly, albino dogs lack melanin pigmentation, which is why they tend to have blue eyes. Some dogs, like Huskies, can even have two eyes of different colors.
If you are wondering which dog breeds can have blue eyes, you have come to the right place. This is something that we will take a look at in this article, so you can find out which dog breeds have blue eyes and why.
Many different breeds of dogs have blue eyes for various reasons, but mostly because it is more common for specific breeds. If you want to find out which dog breeds have blue eyes, you should keep reading to find out more.
Siberian Husky
One of the first dog breeds that people think of when they think of blue eyes is the Siberian Husky. These stunning dogs are known for their iconic, icy blue eyes.
Siberian Huskies have also been known to have brown eyes and can even have two eyes of different colors. When their eyes are two different colors, it is due to a condition called heterochromia.
These dogs look like wolves; they were originally bred for companionship and pulling loads on a dog sled. This is why they are perfect dogs for active families.
Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherd is a breed of dog that can have a merle coat coloring, and those that do will have a higher likelihood of getting light blue eyes. These dogs will usually also have a higher chance of developing a mix of blue and brown eyes.
Australian Shepherds are well known for their high energy levels, and they typically excel when it comes to things like agility competitions. These dogs are best suited to homes with active families.
Weimaraner
The Weimaraner is a breed of dog often known for its sleep and silver-gray coat and loving and active personality. They have kind eyes that can be either amber or blue in color, which perfectly compliments their silver/grey coats.
Weimaraners are happy and high-energy dogs that were bred in the 1800s in Germany for hunting purposes. They later grew in popularity as companion dogs and are excellent with children.
Border Collie
Interestingly, the Border Collie is considered one of the most intelligent breeds, with a thoughtful and intense gaze. Their eyes can be varying different shades of brown, gold, or blue. However, blue eyes are generally more common in merle-coated Border Collies.
These dogs have endless energy levels and high intelligence, and they thrive with mental and physical challenges, including agility competitions.
Dachshund
Blue eyes are not technically desirable in show Dachshunds, but they are still a stunning trait. Those with a merle coat are the most likely to have blue-eye variations. They can either have completely blue eyes, or they can have one blue and one brown eye.
Finally, these dogs could even have both colors in one eye. They were originally bred for hunting badgers and rabbits, and they are brave and boisterous dogs that make excellent watchdogs.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a small yet strong breed of dog that is known for its unique features, like short legs, long bodies, and large, upright ears. Something that only adds to their unique appearance is the fact that they can have two blue eyes, one blue and one brown eye, or even two colors in one eye.
The unique eye colors that they can have are often the most common in Corgis, which have merle coats. Although these dogs are not typically desired in the show rings unless they have merle coats, they do still look amazing.
Catahoula Leopard Dog
A blue-eyed dog breed that you may or may not have already heard of is the Catahoula Leopard dog. They are known as leopard dogs due to their spotted coats that can come in a wide array of colors, like blue, red, gray, black, cream, or chocolate. Their eye color can also be blue, amber, green, brown, or a combination.
The majority of Catahoulas will have merle patterns or leopard-like spots of multiple colorings. You might not have known that these dogs were originally an American breed that worked hard in Louisiana at hunting and herding. Due to their past, they need lots of room to run around and burn off their excess energy.
Alaskan Klee Kai
A dog that looks very similar to the Miniature Husky is the Alaskan Klee Klai. Although, unlike their larger relative, these dogs were only bred for companionship rather than for work purposes. The Alaskan Klee Klai can have icy blue, brown, hazel, or green eyes, and these smaller dogs can make great small companions and excellent watchdogs.
Pit Bull
The pit bull is another dog breed that can be born with blue eyes but often change color as they mature. Sometimes, this isn’t the case, and the blue eyes will remain into adulthood. This is usually the case for those with blue, gray, or brindle coats. Pitbulls can make a loving addition to almost any family home.
