How Many Breeds of Dogs Have Blue Eyes
Thinking of adopting a blue-eyed dog breed, but aren't sure which pups carry the gene? Well you're in luck! Below we've compiled a list of 25 different blue-eyed dog breeds. Some of them are purebreds that carry the gene naturally. Others on our list are mixes of breeds that carry it as a result of their purebred parent passing it down.
While genetic abnormalities like Albinism can cause any dog to have blue eyes, these occurrences are rare. There are some breeds that naturally carry the blue-eyed gene, with perhaps the most common breed being the Siberian Husky.
Other breeds have the ability to carry it, but it's more dependent on their coloring. Merle breeds are the primary example of this, with the Dachshund and Corgi both falling into this category. Below we will look at all of our blue-eyed favorites, as well as a little insight into each breed. Let's jump in!
Contents
- 1 Purebreeds
- 2 Are Blue Eyed Dog More Likely To Be Deaf?
- 2.1 Siberian Husky
- 2.2 Australian Shepherd
- 2.3 Weimaraner
- 2.4 Dalmatian
- 2.5 Border Collie
- 2.6 Dachshund
- 2.7 Corgi
- 2.8 Sheltie
- 2.9 Pitbull
- 2.10 Malamute
- 2.11 Klee Kai
- 2.12 Great Dane
- 2.13 Catahoula
- 2.14 Cane Corso
- 3 Mixed Breeds
- 3.1 Pomsky
- 3.2 Saint Berhusky
- 3.3 Husky Inu
- 3.4 Goberian
- 3.5 Gerberian Shepsky
- 3.6 Huskador
- 3.7 Horgi
- 3.8 Aussie Siberian
- 3.9 Aussiepoo
- 3.10 Border Aussie
- 3.11 Aussiedor
- 4 Final Thoughts
Purebreeds
There are 14 different types of purebred dogs that can genetically carry blue eyes. They can carry them by having a dominant blue eye gene. Some breeds get theme due to Merle coloring, which can cause color variances in both the coat and the eyes. Some dogs will get a singularly blue eye when they have heterochromia, which is a melanin imbalance. In our list below, we aren't including dog breeds where albinism happens, as that's extremely rare.
Are Blue Eyed Dog More Likely To Be Deaf?
Yes, they are more likely but it is not a guarantee. The only clear indicator of deafness in dogs is a positive test for the deafness gene. Deafness is commonly associated with a lack of pigment, similar to how blue eyes are associated with a lack of pigment in the iris. Dalmatian, English Cocker Spaniel, Bull Terrier, and English Setter are the most common breeds with blue eyes, which also are statistically more prone to deafness.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is perhaps one of the most famous blue-eyed breeds. It's hypothesized that the ALX4 canine chromosome 18 is associated with the beautiful blue eyes that the Siberian Husky is known for. These pups are a working breed, so if you are intent on owning one, make sure you have plenty of space. These pups need regular exercise or can develop destructive tendencies.
Australian Shepherd
The Aussie is another popular breed that's regularly known to carry the blue-eyed gene. Aussies are often mistaken for another pup on this list, the Border Collie. Common in many different coat colors, the Aussie is a highly energetic working breed. While apartment life can suit these pups, having a larger yard for them to roam is preferable. This pup can also suffer from separation anxiety. If you plan on owning a Shepherd, it's always best if you are at home regularly with your pup.
Weimaraner
Weims are another breed that can carry beautiful baby blues. A friendly but fearless companion, this breed has a beautiful silvery or almost coppery coat. Many people actually think the Weimaraner was bred into the Labrador Line which is why there are Silver Labradors in existence today. These pups do best in a bigger yard, as they have plenty of energy. They are easy-going, all-around great family dogs.
Dalmatian
Beautifully spotted, Dalmatians can have blue eyes. This is somewhat uncommon, and unfortunately, many blue-eyed Dalmatians are deaf. Vets and scientists aren't exactly sure of the reason for hearing loss, but genetically the two are linked and happen together quite often. There are also several variations of Dalmatian mixes that may happen to carry the blue-eyed gene.
Border Collie
Are you ready for some ENERGY? The Border Collie is one of the more energetic breeds you'll come across that carries the blue-eyed gene. They are equally lovable and also quite beautiful with their long, flowing coat. They will need to be groomed regularly, as they shed more than other breeds. This pup will do well in a larger fenced-in yard, as they enjoy protecting their flock on the open range. Border Collies are one of the most intelligent dogs in the world, and will be very quick to learn basic obedience training.
Dachshund
The Dachshund is another lovable breed that can on the rare occasion have blue eyes. This is typical with Merle Dachshunds, which means their coats are almost a more marbled color. These feisty little pups are a little more laid back, but also highly attached to their human counterparts. They have been known to become aggressive if they are not properly trained and socialized at an early age.
Corgi
Similar to the Dachshund, the Corgi can carry eyes that are a lighter blue, with a Merle coat. The Welsh or Pembroke Corgi, is a smaller framed dog, with a docked tail. They are known for their adorable butts and highly lovable attitudes. Corgis can get quite expensive though, and you'll likely be waitlisted with a breeder if you want a puppy. Adopting from a rescue will give you a decent chance at finding a slightly older merle coated Corgi with blue eyes.
Sheltie
The Shetland Sheepdog, also known as the Sheltie is another potentially blue-eyed herding dog. Similar to the Dachshund and Corgi, this is another breed that's most likely to have blue eyes with a Merle coat. Blue Merles specifically carry this gene as do bi-blue merles. If blue eyes are caused by anything else, it's considered a fault for show purposes. The Sheltie is similar to the Border Collie in appearance and the need for plenty of room to run. They are highly energetic breeds that do well when they are at home with their family.
Pitbull
Blue eyes in the American Pitbull Terrier can happen, although it's rare. It largely depends on the color of their coat. Lighter colored Pitbulls are more likely to have blue eyes. The Pitbull has a number of rare color combinations, like the Red-Nose Pitbull, which has a reddish colored coat and Amber eyes. While the American Pitbull Terrier is not recognized by the AKC, they are both widely loved and feared at the same time in the United States. There are a few Pitbull type dog breeds that get lumped together, but these are not all APBT's. Often referred to as the nanny dog in the United States, the Pitbull Terrier is an extremely loving breed if raised properly.
Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is a large dog that occasionally has blue eyes. They are often mistaken for a large Siberian Husky. The Malamute is a working breed that's known for a fluffy white/black coat and blue eyes. Similar to the Husky, this pup was bred as a working dog for sledding, pulling and carrying goods. It's best to have a large fenced in yard for this pup, as they are active. It's also recommended that this breed remains in cooler climates with their long and fluffy coat.
Klee Kai
The Klee Kai is a Siberian Husky "lite." These pups are smaller blue-eyed dogs, and are an Alaskan dog after the breed was refined from Huskies and other smaller breeds, like the Alaskan Eskimo Dog. This breed isn't recognized by the AKC as a purebred, but it is with other clubs, like the UKC. These pups will need a larger yard and it should be noted that their temperament is slightly different than the Husky. This breed is more cautious of strangers and more skittish in general. They have a high prey drive making them not the best fit for a multi-pet household.
Great Dane
The Great Dane is one of the only giant breeds that carry the blue-eyed trait. Blue eyes are more common in this breed when they have merle coats, or when they are black & white and suffer from Heterochromia (two eyes that are different colors). The Great Dane originated in Germany and is an extremely loyal family companion. This breed is extremely tall, and also very lazy! They will need plenty of room around your house to do what they do best as couch potatoes. They are incredibly sweet, and good-natured family dogs.
Catahoula
The Catahoula dog is another merle coated breed that is often seen with blue eyes. This cattle dog is best known for being a ranch hand and helping protect their land from predators. You'll want to have some land for this pup to roam, and they are not suited for apartment life unless you commit to a strict exercise schedule. These pups need at least 60 minutes of outdoor time each day to keep their mind occupied. The Catahoula is an excellent family dog, and does well in multi-pet households.
Cane Corso
The Cane Corso, known as the Italian Mastiff, is another pup with blue eyes and an equally blue-grey coat. Similar to the Pitbull terrier, it's not common for the Cane Corso to have blue eyes unless they have a silvery coat color. Cane Corsos are laid back and can do well living in an apartment. Similar to other Mastiff Breeds, this pup is a giant couch potato, and usually only needs about 30 minutes of exercise each day.
Mixed Breeds
Now that we've covered purebreds, we can't lose sight of some fantastic mixed breed pups that can also have blue eyes. The Siberian Husky is one of the few breeds with natural blue eyes, so you'll see several different husky mixes on this list. There's also some Aussie mixes as well. Let's take a look at the top Mixed Breed pups that just may have some blue eyes!
Pomsky
The Pomeranian Husky Mix is a pint-sized version of the Husky, and is quite expensive! This miniature little fluffy husky crossbreed is an attempt to get the soft and fluffy coat of the Pom, added to the beautiful blue eyes of the Siberian Husky. Pomskies are very popular designer dogs. They are highly sought after, and it's not uncommon to see them fetch a price tag of $3,000 and up in the United States!
Saint Berhusky
The Saint Berhusky mixes the Siberian Husky and Saint Bernard. This unique crossbreed will inherit their blue eyes from their husky parent. It's possible that they end up with Heterochromia, where they have one eye of each color. This mix will be slightly more laid back than the Siberian Husky, but with a slightly thicker and longer coat. They are big dogs and can tip the scales at close to 100 pounds.
Husky Inu
The Shiba Inu Husky Mix is a blend of the Siberian Husky and the Shiba Inu. This mix is similar to the Pomsky, in the manner that they are designer dogs that are highly sought after. They carry a stiff price tag, and it's not uncommon to see puppies ranging from $1500 and up in price. This mix will be slightly smaller than the Husky Parent, and it's quite common for them to carry a pair of stunning baby blue eyes.
Goberian
The Goberian mixes the Golden Retriever and the Siberian Husky. This unique mix can look vastly different between two pups from the same litter! It's a very popular mix though, and it's often done in an effort to get a dog that looks just like a Golden Retriever, but with blue eyes. This is a medium to large-sized mix and will do best with a bigger yard. Goberians have plenty of energy, and are more socially apt to deal with new surroundings than a purebred Husky.
Gerberian Shepsky
The Husky German Shepherd mix is another crossbreed that commonly is seen with blue eyes. German Shepherds have reportedly popped up with blue eyes from time to time as purebreds, but this is considered a breeding defect and is highly uncommon. Doubling up with the Husky gives this breed a 50/50 chance at having blue eyes though. This breed is extremely popular and will be medium to large-sized. They will do best in a house with a yard. They can live in an apartment but will need regular routine exercise.
Huskador
The Huskador is another blue eyed dog breed that's a mix between the Husky and the Lab. This pup will tend to look more like their Labrador parent, and likely carry the blue-eyed gene. With the Lab being one of the most popular breeds in the world, it only makes sense that they'd be crossed with a Husky to see if they can get those beautiful baby blues to cross over.
Horgi
The Horgi is another beautiful mix with blue eyes. This mix crosses the Husky with the Corgi. Because both parents have the blue-eyed gene, this mix has a higher chance of breeding pups that carry baby blues. The Horgi is an extremely loveable pup, that's slightly larger than a full-sized Corgi. Another popular designer dog, this pup is a Medium-sized breed and will do best in a house with a small yard due to their energy levels.
Aussie Siberian
Another mix of two potentially blue-eyed dog breeds is the Aussie Siberian. This designer dog mixes the Australian Shepherd with the Siberian Husky. These pups are very energetic and highly likely to have blue eyes. Their coats will come in a range of colors, from white and black, to brown and merle. This mix will be slightly larger than the Australian Shepherd, and slightly smaller than the Siberian Husky. They will need some room to roam as their energy levels are very high. Aussie Siberians can become destructive without a proper energy outlet.
Aussiepoo
The Aussiepoo mixes the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle. There is a lower likelihood of this mix carrying the blue-eyed gene, as the Poodle isn't known to have blue eyes at all. If the Aussiepoo pulls in the merle gene from their Australian Shepherd parent, then there's a chance they will have blue eyes. This fluffy coated pup will have loads of energy. Their poodle parent is extremely active. This breed can challenge even the most patient dog owner. It's recommended that you have a large yard for backyard playtime, or exercise your Aussiepoo at least 60 minutes daily.
Border Aussie
The Border Aussie crosses two potential Blue Eyed dog breeds by mixing the Border Collie and the Australian Shepherd. The Border Aussie is a bundle of energy, and does best with plenty of exercise. Both parent breeds are likely to carry merle coats, and that means this mix very well could have a nice pair of blue eyes to match their long silky coat. The Border Aussie can do just fine in apartment living as long as they have plenty of exercise. They love being near family and are lapdogs when not entertaining themselves. Border Aussies make great agility training dogs and are extremely intelligent.
Aussiedor
The Aussiedor is a mix between the Labrador Retriever and the Australian Shepherd. Only the Aussie parent carries the blue eyed gene, but that still means it's possible for an Aussiedor to have blue eyes. You'd need a merle coat for this pair to produce baby blues. The Aussiedor is a loving and affectionate breed. Smaller than a purebred English or American Labrador, this mix doesn't lose any of their enthusiasm from either parent. They will do fine with a small yard as long as they are exercised regularly.
Final Thoughts
While there are many blue eyed dog breeds, our picks here are some of the most highly sought after. Whether you are looking for a mixed breed pup, or a purebred, any dog with blue eyes is likely going to call additional attention to you wherever you go. You'll need to be prepared to stop and talk to strangers, while they ask all about your dog's breed and history! Get ready for lots of attention, and lots of compliments on your pup with beautiful baby blues!
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