The rare and mysterious look of a dog with blue eyes amazes every person. However, not many breeds have this unique trait. The reasons for such eyes are related to their genes, some inherit them as a recessive trait, others as a mutation. Below is a quick overview of dog breeds that can have blue eyes.
Why do some dogs have blue pigment in their eyes?
At birth, all puppies have pale blue eyes, and the breed of the dog does not play any role in this. Then, at 2 or 3 months of age, the pigments present in the eye are activated and darken the iris to give it its final color.
In some slow-growing breeds, such as the Dogue de Bordeaux, the color may take up to two years to stabilize. However, in some dogs the eye pigments are absent or never activated, causing the eye to ultimately retain its blue tint. The reasons for the lack of color change are mainly genetic. Thus, we can distinguish 4 reasons for blue eyes in dogs.
Merle gene
Responsible for specific coat colors (dark areas on a light background) or harlequin and affects the color scheme of the eyes (blue), nose, lips and skin (usually their color is pink).
The real blue eye gene
Different dog breeds, such as huskies, are predisposed to the gene. It prevents pigment changes in adulthood, but does not affect the skin or coat, unlike other breeds. In other words, these dogs don't necessarily have to have a pink nose or a certain coat.
Albinism
A very rare genetic disorder that causes severe melanin deficiency. The latter results in pink skin, white or very light hair and blue eyes. This basically means that albino dogs have very fragile health and are prone to various skin problems.
Failure in genes
It sometimes happens that certain fur cells are accidentally found in the eyes, devoid of color pigment and therefore giving the coat a white color. Because the cells cannot produce pigment, the eyes cannot change color and remain blue into adulthood. This extremely rare migration of defective cells occurs during the puppy's perinatal development.
Shih Tzu
Another cute breed of dogs of the decorative group. Its main advantage is its long, straight and silky coat, growing on all parts of the body. The Shih Tzu grows up to 28 cm, gaining weight up to 6-7 kg.
This dog has a balanced, calm character. She is quite stingy with emotions, preferring to remain aloof, even with her family. But such external coldness of an animal does not mean that he does not love his family members.
It is extremely difficult to anger or drive such a dog out of his temper. He always remains calm and confident. Not prone to violent manifestations of feelings. In a moment of intense joy, it can, perhaps, wag its tail.
As a watchman, he is ineffective. The Shih Tzu is indifferent to strangers, so it is unlikely to scare away those who try to enter its territory. And this pretty dog probably won’t be able to protect his owner.
The main advantage of a representative of the breed is a chic “fur coat”. It can be cut, straightened with an iron, sprayed with sprays, pins attached to it, sprinkled with glitter, etc. The Shih Tzu enjoys it when people take care of it. At this moment he feels gratitude and pleasure.
The Shih Tzu is one of the most ancient dog breeds with a cute face and flowing fur.
Siberian Husky
Due to a rather difficult past, the Siberian Husky is an affectionate dog that does not show the slightest trace of aggression towards humans. And when it comes to his owner, he will be extremely kind and gentle, despite maintaining a certain form of independence within him.
The unusual eye color is typical of this breed, which originates from northern Siberia and is a real rarity in the canine world. To finally reveal the secret of the sled dog's blue eyes, scientists studied the genome of more than 6,000 dogs with different eye colors.
The assessment showed: in blue-eyed huskies, the gene segment on chromosome 18 noticeably doubles frequently; this feature is rarely found in Australian Shepherds with blue eyes. The 98.6-kilobase region is located next to the so-called ALX4 gene, a DNA sequence that plays an important role in eye development in many mammals.
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For this, it is important to train the dog from an early age to avoid possible escape due to his hunting and hyperactive side, as he is always looking for adventure. Moreover, this breed, which is closest to the wolf, is far from their characteristics.
The husky first appeared around 2000 BC, in northern Siberia during the Eskimo period. The dog was primarily used as a sled dog and was one of the first breeds to live in the same house as its owner.
Huskies need several outings a day, based on long walks, jogging and various activities, which allows the dog to spend all its energy on its paws.
Education and training
Despite the fact that the white husky, like any other representative of this breed, has a freedom-loving disposition, it is easy to train. The dog should be raised immediately after it has adapted to its new home and learned its name.
The puppy must clearly understand from the very beginning what he is not allowed to do. Otherwise, he will grow into an uncontrollable dog, which will be almost impossible to re-educate. If you are not sure that you can train your pet on your own, it is better to seek the help of a professional dog trainer.
Border Collie
This breed once served as herding dogs in the British Isles. Over time, their breeding has made them some of the smartest dogs in the world. They need a lot of physical and mental stimulation to feel healthy and happy. The dog needs to live outdoors and exercise daily with its owner. He is very smart, attentive and easy to train, so he requires intellectual stimulation.
Having boundless energy and great intelligence, these dogs always need constant exercise. They perform well during agility competitions due to their hard work. The height of the withers reaches 55 cm, and the weight is up to 35 kg.
Golden retriever
One of the best companion dogs. Gets along well with animals and children. Loves games, very active. The height at the withers of a golden retriever is 50-60 cm, weight is 23-32 kg. Males are larger than females. The dog stands out from others with its kind eyes and luxurious golden fur.
It is perfect for a large family with different pets, from cats to frogs. Completely non-confrontational. The character of the breed is friendly and open. By nature, he is gentle and friendly. He wants to accompany his owner everywhere and becomes very attached to him.
This beautiful breed of dog in the photo looks cute and smart at the same time. She arouses people's interest and sympathy
The dog never behaves intrusively; it patiently waits for its owners to pay attention to it. Very smart and smart
Retrievers have a friendly and gentle nature.
Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd is often found in the black merle color, which obviously makes a lasting impression with its piercing blue eyes.
They are great comrades. Behind their small size hides a dog brimming with energy and inexhaustible affection.
Eyes: They are brown, blue, amber or a combination or variation of these colors, also mottled or marbled.”
The Australian Shepherd has a playful temperament and should get daily exercise from its owner. This dog breed grows up to 58 cm in height and weighs 29 kg.
Marriage or breed?
Neither the red color, nor the coat colors derived from it, can be considered a defect in the breed . However, it is necessary to take into account that there are no pure red dogs of this breed without white markings.
Expert opinion
Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich
Expert dog handler.
“The red husky with fur that shimmers in the sun with all shades of gold and copper is an incredibly beautiful and harmonious dog. Due to the color and shape of the tail, from a distance it can be mistaken for a fox, the resemblance to which is also given to this dog by such character traits as intelligence, intelligence, cunning and curiosity. The red husky will make a wonderful pet - playful, friendly and very loyal. And its bright color will not only impress others, but will also cheer up the owners even on the cloudiest autumn day.”
Dalmatian
World famous thanks to the Disney film, Dalmatians usually have brown eyes, but some may have one or both blue eyes due to the presence of a recessive gene. However, from a medical point of view, blue-eyed Dalmatians are not born favorably, as they are predisposed to several disabling diseases.
The Blue-Eyed Dalmatian deserves its place on the list of breeds with blue eyes due to its unique appearance. Unfortunately, there is a big “BUT” in relation to blue eyes; this may be a sign of deafness. Some dogs often experience hearing loss in one or both ears. This appears to be related to a gene that affects eye coloration. Although they are adorable dogs, this is an important factor to consider.
The Dalmatian seduces with its independent and sensitive temperament. Possessing a strong character, he can sometimes be very stubborn, without a hint of aggression.
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Weimaraner
A very famous breed, this is a magnificent dog that has always served the royal family to hunt wild boar, deer and even bear! It is also called the "grey ghost". This breed has both gray and golden coat colors. Most Weimaraners are born with blue eyes. As they age, their production of melanin increases, which gives their eyes even more color.
Regardless of what their eyes look like, there is no doubt that this is a very intelligent and underrated dog breed that deserves more attention. The Weimaraner, a dog of German origin, is a large breed with gray fur. His eyes are blue at birth, but in some cases they may turn amber after 6 months. A very dynamic, slender dog, it needs constant play connection, it can hardly tolerate loneliness. The height of the dog's withers reaches 65 cm, and its weight ranges from 30 to 40 kg.
Historical reference
Representatives of this breed appeared several thousand years ago. They were brought out by the Chukchi, who inhabited the territory of North-Eastern Siberia. Since these people did not write down their history and kept themselves apart from other peoples, more precise dates for the appearance of the first huskies could not be established. It is possible that the purity of the breed was preserved due to the fact that the Chukchi lived far from civilization.
In the first half of the 20th century, American gold miners who participated in dog sled racing acquired several dozen dogs they liked. This is how the first huskies came to the USA and helped save the breed. These animals were brought to Russia from the Czech Republic and Belgium. This only happened in 1995. Since foreign breeders paid more attention to the exterior rather than driving performance, today these friendly dogs do an excellent job as a companion and just a pet.
Welsh Corgi Cardigan
Looking at him, you get the impression that you are seeing a short-legged Welsh Corgi with short legs and an elongated body. However, the dog has a sporty and intelligent character. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi completes its unique look with turquoise eyes. They have always been herding dogs. Corgis are an internet favorite.
German Shepherd
It is rare to see a German Shepherd with blue eyes, as the vast majority have brown eyes. The German Shepherd with blue eyes comes from a dominant blue gene, which is rare.
This blue color combined with the dog's dominant features creates an impressive combination. Oddly enough, many professional breeders see this as a disadvantage, as they prefer more “standard” colors and coats.
But this does not prevent future owners from having a blue-eyed German Shepherd, due to its uniqueness. When it comes to owning a dog, it is more a matter of personal taste for the owner than a matter of standards.
American Pit Bull Terrier
Some types of pit bulls are known for their beautiful blue eyes. Blue-eyed pit bulls, although not very common, are very popular throughout the world. The colors include mixtures of brown, yellow and even green eye colors. There are even pit bulls with two different colored eyes. Unfortunately, blue eyes are considered a flaw in the standards. As a result, any blue eyed pit bull is disqualified from showing.
Alaskan Malamute
Most Alaskan Malamutes have brown eyes. However, like their husky relatives, some may have blue eyes. Additionally, although it is rarely seen, some have one blue eye and one brown eye.
Some people believe that blue-eyed Alaskan Malamutes are not purebreds. They most likely came from a cross between a Malamute and a Husky. Since the Malamute Husky mix is so popular, it is very likely that blue-eyed Malamutes inherited it from the Husky somewhere in their pedigree.
Basic rules of care
Twice a week you need to comb your pet with a comb and wash it with a special shampoo 2-3 times a year. During shedding, which usually happens once every six months, the dog needs to be brushed daily to remove as much dying undercoat as possible.
Eyes and ears should be examined every day and, if necessary, cleaned with eye drops or cleaning lotion purchased from a veterinary pharmacy..
A dog can clean its teeth on its own if it chews cartilage or special treats and toys intended for animals. If the husky cannot remove plaque on its own, then it can be cleaned with a brush and dog toothpaste.
CAREFULLY!
If tartar forms, you should not try to remove it yourself, but should immediately contact your veterinarian.
It is also necessary to ensure that the red husky’s claws do not grow too long: as soon as their tips begin to take the form of hooks bent inward, they need to be shortened using a nail clipper.
Dachshund
Originally used to hunt foxes and badgers, the dachshund can also have very pale blue eyes, especially if it has a harlequin-colored coat (which is one of the consequences of the merle gene). Although the Two Blue Eyes Dachshund is recognized by Fédération Cynologique Internationale affiliates as well as the Canadian Kennel Club, it cannot qualify as "Excellent" during the confirmatory exam because multiple health issues are considered.
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Predisposition to diseases
In general, these animals are in fairly good health. However, they sometimes have problems too. So, with a lack of zinc, bald spots begin to form on the husky’s coat. Representatives of this breed are also predisposed to epilepsy. This gene is passed on not only by white huskies, but also by dogs of any other color. In addition, there are a number of diseases to which these dogs are prone. They are often diagnosed with eye problems such as cataracts, retinal atrophy, entropion and corneal dystrophy.
In addition, Huskies are predisposed to hypertension, laryngeal paralysis, atopic dermatitis, degenerative myelopathy and nasal depigmentation. Among hereditary diseases, these dogs are often diagnosed with joint dysplasia and problems with the thyroid gland. However, with proper care and timely treatment, representatives of this breed can live for about fifteen years.
German dog
This royal breed combines large size and power with elegance. They have square, well-balanced proportions. The gait is strong and powerful, with long, easy steps. The coat is short, thick, shiny. The Great Dane is particularly notable for its majestic posture and blue-eyed appearance, and is also called the "Apollo of the Dog." This is a German breed, and in 1876 the breed was declared the national dog of Germany.
The Great Dane is energetic, courageous, friendly and reliable. He is generally good with children (although his friendly overtures may overwhelm a small child) and is generally friendly towards other family dogs and animals, but like all large dogs, requires supervision. After completing the training, he will become a pleasant and well-mannered companion in the family.
