All dogs look different, based on their breed, genetics, fur and sometimes even eye color. Generally, dogs tend to have black or dark brown colored eyes. However, some dog breeds have blue eyes. This mostly has to do with genetics and breed, but sometimes it can also indicate albinism within dogs. Most dogs, nonetheless, are healthy when born with blue eyes. In this article, we highlight fifteen dog breeds that are known for having beautiful blue colored eyes. If you want to know more about blue eyes within dogs and which breeds will capture your heart with their gorgeous blue colored eyes, please read along!
Various dog breeds with blue colored eyes
In the list below, we highlight 15 different dog breeds that can or always have blue eyes. You can find information on their life expectancy, character, nature and any other useful details, which come in handy when deciding which dog suit within your home. Now, onto the list of blue eyed dog breeds!
Alaskan Klee Kai
This dog breed is often confused with a Husky dog. However, it is not the same dog breed, although they might look somewhat alike. Rather than being a working dog breed, like the Husky, an Alaskan Klee Kai dog is more interested in attention by its owners. This dog breed can have blue eyes; however, this is not always a given. An Alaskan Klee Kai dog can also have green or dark brown eyes. If you want to have a dog that loves to be near you and also can be protective, an Alaskan Klee Kai dog might be the one. This dog breed tends to live between twelve and sixteen years, as it is rather small sized.
Australian Cattle
An Australian Cattle dog breed can have blue eyes, although brown eyes tend to be more common. They are known for their high energy and do need regular walks and ways to blow off steam. As these dogs can be rather stubborn and are intelligent, training can become a bit of a challenge.
Starting with training this dog at an early age is therefore recommended. Due to the fact that Australian Cattle dogs are highly energized, they love to spend time with you playing in- and outside. It is also worth noting that this dog breed does tend to shed, which can be helped through brushing and grooming. The estimated life span of this dog is set to ten to thirteen years.
Australian Shepherd
With the fact that this dog breed can have merle genetics, the Australian Shepherd dog breed has higher chances of having blue eyes. It can also be the case that these dogs even have different colors for both eyes. In its nature, Australian Shepherds can be used for herding. However, this high energy dog also loves to be surrounded by people. As with the Australian Cattle dog breed, Aussies need lots of exercise. This can be done through regular, long walks and in example agility training. The life expectancy of the Australian Shepherd dog breed is between thirteen and fifteen years old.
Border Collie
As with the Australian Shepherd dog breed, this dog is full of energy and is highly intelligent. This dog breed also comes with merle genetics, which makes it more likely to have or come with blue eyes. Whenever this is not the case, they tend to have grey, brown or goldish eye colors. A Border Collie is the perfect dog within a family that loves to do activities and train with a dog. The fact that this dog can live up to seventeen years also makes it a perfect family dog.
Catahoula Leopard
The Catahoula Leopard dog is mostly known as a Leopard Dog. They are names such as their coat tends to have spots, just like leopards do. Due to the merle gene again being present, these dogs can have blue eyes. However, they also can have different eye colors which are extremely unique, such as green, red/brown and deep brown. A Catahoula Leopard dog is bred as a working dog, which makes that lots of exercising and challenges are needed for this dog. The lifespan of this dog is set between ten and fourteen years.
Corgi’s, specifically Cardigan Welsh Corgi
This dog breed is already rather unique in itself, as they have a long body and are close to the ground due to their short legs. More commonly, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi has one blue eye and another colored eye. It can happen though that they have two blue eyes, specifically if the Corgi is merle colored.
If you like to go out and are in for a dog that likes to make some trouble from time to time, a Cardigan Welsh Corgi will be perfect for you. You can leave a Corgi at home, however make sure that they have enough to play with. Otherwise, they will find other objects in your house to play with. A Cardigan Welsh Corgi is very sweet though, and can get pretty well along with kids. This particular blue eyed dog breed can live from twelve to fifteen years.
Dachshund
This is a dog breed with lots of energy, however with cute looks. That is exactly what a Dachshund is characterized as. You can find Dachshund dog breeds as wire- and soft-haired. The estimated life expectancy of this dog breed is set from twelve to sixteen years. As with most dogs in this list, the merle gene makes it the most likely that a Dachshund has blue eyes. It might also occur that a Dachshund dog has two differently colored eyes.
Dalmatian
A Dalmatian can have either blue or brown eyes. They are already rather unique due to their spots, but will most certainly catch the eye of others through its blue eyes. The Dalmatian dog breed is also a great family dog, who loves to run around and be entertained. This dog does also need lots of regular walks and exercise. You can also do this through training your Dalmatian to go on runs with you. It is also advised to invest in a good brush or grooming session, to decrease the shedding of a Dalmatian. Due to the larger size of the Dalmatian dog breed, the lifespan is set around ten to thirteen years.
German Shepherd
The German Shephard can have two blue eyes, or perhaps just one combined with brown. Whenever this is not the case, this dog breed has brown or deep brown eyes. With its thick coat, the German Shepherd dog breed is known to shed. This is mostly concentrated during the winter and summer period, which is why a daily brush can help prevent with hairs flying everywhere.
Although this dog is watchdog, they love their owners. German Shepherds love to play, get pet and run around the house. These dogs also enjoy being challenged with brain games or training. They do like to challenge you, so make sure that you start any training when this dog is still a pup. The estimated lifespan of the German Shepherd dog breed is set between nine and thirteen years.
Great Dane
One of the largest dogs you might encounter in your life is the Great Dane. Most of these dogs tend to have blue eyes, especially when they are born. However, the eye color of the Great Dane dog breed tends to change as they grow up. Although this dog breed might look a bit scary through their size, they are actually very gentle and sweet. A Great Dane will adore ever moment you spend with him or her, whether this is through cuddling or playing. Unfortunately, the lifespan of this dog is six to eight years, due to the large size of this specific dog bread.
Old English Sheepdog
This is another dog breed that can have two blue eyes, one or none at all. However, the blue color of the eyes of an Old English Sheepdog are generally lighter in comparison to other blue eye colors of dogs. Something you should be very well aware of with the Old English Sheepdog breed is that you need to invest time in maintaining their coat.
Regular brushing is needed when you do now want the fur of your dog to mat. The Old English Sheepdog breed also likes to exercise, however also enjoys some peace and quiet. As this dog is extremely determined and headstrong, you might not want to start with this dog breed as your first ever dog. It is estimated that this dog breed lives 10 to twelve years.
Pit Bull
Just like with the Great Dane, these dogs tend to get born with blue eyes. However, as the pups grow older, their eye color can change. You are more likely to have a blue eyed Pit Bull if their coat also is blue/greyish. They tend to live between eight to fifteen years, and enjoy to play and be active. Pit Bulls also are very protective of their owners, however through socialization you can prevent a negative attitude towards strangers.
Shetland Sheepdog
This dog breed is not often found with blue eyes, only when they have the blue merle genetics. A Shetland Sheepdog breed likes to exercise, and can be easily trained due to its high intelligence. It is best to keep a Sheltie alone or together with other Shetland Sheepdogs. Due to their herding background, they might go after other animals or smaller dogs. Aside from this, the Shetland Sheepdog breed is a rather care free dog breed, who likes to be among people. They can become around twelve to thirteen years old.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky dog breed might be one of the most iconic dogs with blue eyes. These dogs have either blue eyes, brown eyes or a combination of the two. As generally known by many, these dogs are often used for dogsleds, however they also are suitable within a family home. You do need to let them out regular, preferably through long walks. Biking or running with this dog are also not an issue, as long as you wait till it is fully grown and matured. With a life expectancy of twelve to fifteen years, you can enjoy the Siberian Husky dog breed for a long time.
Weimaraner
The Weimaraner can be easily recognized due to its blueish/grey coat. They are also extremely great with kids, as they are gentle and love attention. Weimaraner dogs do like to be active, however in general need less activity in contrast to most dogs in this list. Regular walks and allowing the Weimaraner dog breed to run around, often are enough to cause some exhaustion. A lifespan of this dog breed is expected around eleven and thirteen years.
Health concerns of dogs with blue eyes
As already highlighted briefly in the introduction of this article, a blue eyed dog can have some health concerns. This is particularly the case when the blue eyes arise from albinism. If this is the case, it is necessary to let your dog to get checked by a vet. They can find any issues and treat them.
In particular, an albino dog can be extremely sensitive on its eyes. They therefore have a higher chance of becoming blind or developing eye diseases. Albino dogs also develop skin cancer easily, as they react quickly to sun exposure and light. If you want to make sure that your blue eyed dog suffers from albinism, you can get this tested at your veterinarian. Indicators for albinism are: blue eyes, pink nose and pink skin around the nose and eyes.
15 blue eyed dog breeds and medical issues you should be aware of
In this article we have listed fifteen dog breeds with blue eyes, which you might encounter or come across in your search for your new (family) friend. We have talked about:
- Alaskan Klee Kai
- Australian Cattle
- Australian Shepherd
- Border Collie
- atahoula Leopard
- Corgi’s, specifically Cardigan Welsh Corgi
- Dachshund
- Dalmatian
- German Shepherd
- Great Dane
- Old English Sheepdog
- Pit Bull
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Siberian Husky
- Weimaraner
All these dogs can or have blue eyes. However, there might be some medical issues you need to be aware of when adopting or buying a dog breed that has blue eyes. It can namely happen that a dog has blue eyes due to albinism. Whenever this is the case, your dog has higher risks of developing skin cancer and blindness. In order to be sure if you have an albino dog, you can get this tested at your vet.
