Dogs With Blue Eyes

There is just something so striking about the appearance of dogs with blue eyes and that makes them highly desirable as pets. Luckily there are many options to choose from for those who would like to own a light-eyed pooch. So here are some of the top dog breeds with blue eyes and what you’ll want to know about each of these special canines.

American Staffordshire Terrier

This popular breed is also commonly called the “AmStaff,” for short.  It has a stocky and muscular build which conveys power. Often functioning as a service dog, this is a true companion breed that is world-renowned for its loyalty, love for its family, and gentleness with young children. The American Staffordshire Terrier can have eyes that range in color and shade all the way from dark brown to light blue.

Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky is a sled dog that is built for both speed and endurance. Blue eyes are common in this wolf-like breed.  And many fanciers of these Northern dogs prefer them. In fact, dogs that have blue eyes and all-white coats, in particular, are highly sought after. Huskies may also have brown, green, or gold eyes and it’s not uncommon for them to have eyes that are partly another color or for them to have two totally different colored eyes.

Border Collie

Border Collies are highly intelligent herding dogs. They also happened to be one of the most agile dogs breeds on the planet. These dogs come in a variety of coat colors all of which have brown eyes except merle Border collies which may have one or two blue eyes. If you do choose one of these athletic canines for a family pet, remember the breed was created to work. And if not provided with a job, it will need lots of exercise and play to satisfy its mental and physical needs.

Great Dane

This breed’s giant size and athletic build make it one of the most recognizable of all canines. Adding to its unique appearance is the fact that it’s not uncommon for them to have blue eyes. Some Danes even have pale blue known as “ice blue” eyes, or one blue eye and one that is a different color altogether such as brown. Great Danes with all-white coats in particular are known for typically having blue eyes.

And white-coated dogs with pink noses and blue eyes are often confused for albinos. And while there is a higher percentage of albinism in Great Danes when compared to other breeds, albino Danes, actually have pink eyes. Unfortunately solid white Great Danes are not always healthy.

That’s’ because the same gene which gives them their all-white coat and often gorgeous eyes(the double merle gene) can also cause health issues such as deafness, blindness, or both. It is most often the result of breeding two harlequin-coated Great Danes together. Luckily therefore these issues can be easily avoided by responsible breeding practices.

Australian Shepherd

Don’t be fooled by its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually an American breed. And these hard-working herders not only make fantastic farm dogs but also loyal companions that are totally devoted to their family. They are intelligent dogs that are known for their one-of-a-kind coat colorations and markings. The Australian Shepherd may have eyes that are blue, brown, amber (gold), or any combination of these colors.

American Bully

These are compact and muscular dogs with large heads. The American Bully was created in the 1990s using the American Pit Bull Terrier along with several other bully breeds. And is therefore quite a new breed that is not yet accepted by all kennel clubs. In fact, even when it comes to the ones that do, when it comes to an American Bully with blue eyes the standards are not always the same.

While blue eyes do occur naturally in the breed some clubs allow blue-eyed dogs to compete in the show ring while others do not, as they consider them to be a fault. Regardless of the standard, club, or rules, these bulky canines decidedly look adorable with blue eyes.

Shetland Sheepdog

This breed looks exactly like a miniature version of the more well-known Rough Collie. If you’d like one of these small, long-haired, cute dogs with blue eyes though, you’ll need to make sure to choose one that has a merle coat. That’s because it’s the merle gene that is responsible for giving the Sheltie one, two, or partially blue eyes.

In contrast, Shelties with other coat colors have dark brown eyes. Luckily, for those who decide on this gentle and affectionate canine, it is a long-lived canine often reaching up to fifteen years old.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Fans of small dogs with blue eyes may want to consider the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. However, don’t be fooled by their size, these aren’t dainty little lapdogs. They are tough, agile, and full of energy.  And while many Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppies are born with blue eyes they usually turn brown as they age.

Typically only those with merle coats have eyes that stay blue or pale blue as adults. Like several other breeds on this list they sometimes also have one blue eye and one brown. Some Cardigan Corgis even have “blue flecked,” eyes that are partially blue and brown in the same eye.

Cane Corso

While it isn’t acceptable in the show ring for the Cane Corso to have blue eyes or yellow eyes for that matter, they can have either. And it doesn’t make them any less of a Cane Corso. In fact, many pet owners prefer blue-eyed or yellow-eyed Cane Corso dogs.

When it comes to show dogs however darker eyes are preferred and the darkness of the eyes should correspond to the darkness of the dog’s coat. These large, loyal, and incredibly powerful dogs make ideal family protectors.

Yakutian Laika

This ancient blue-eyed dog breed is native to northeastern Russia where it was used to both hunt and pull sleds by the aboriginal Yakut people.  In addition to blue eyes, the Yakutian Laika may also have brown eyes or one eye that is brown and one that is blue.

This versatile breed is full of energy. And while friendly and loving towards humans because of its history is naturally protective when it comes to defending its territory against large predators.

Catahoula Leopard Dog

Different from most other dog breeds, when it comes to the Catahoula Leopard Dog there is no standard for eye color. That means the Catahoula’s eyes not only can be any color, but also any combination of colors, and that of course includes blue.

Dogs with light blue eyes, known as “glass eyes”, are particularly sought after because of just how absolutely stunning they look. Glass eyes are actually so light that they are almost white in color. In addition, glass-eyed Catahoula Leopard Dogs can also have what are known as “cracked glass,” eyes (light blue eyes that contain other colors).

Samoyed

Typically the Samoyed is a breed with dark eyes. In fact, because of their all-white coats, dark eyes, noses, and eye rims, they are often compared to looking just like polar bears. That being said, while difficult, finding one of these white fluffy dogs with blue eyes is possible.

That’s because while blue-eyed Samoyeds can occur naturally in the breed they are quite rare. Although don’t expect to be able to enter one in any dog shows as their light-colored eyes will automatically disqualify them from competing.

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