Blue Eye Color
There are four possible ways for a dog to get blue eyes, three of which are related to coat color. There is a merle gene that comes into play with many blue-eyed breeds.
Merle patterns consist of splatters of different colors and patterns. When you breed merle-patterned dogs, you might run into more health issues than most. This fact is especially true when both parents carry the gene.
Siberian Huskies have another blue gene that is set apart from the rest. Some dogs who have blue eyes might be prone to more health issues, but Huskies are exempt in this category.You see blue eyes pop up in:
Albino dogs have a severe lack of melanin, resulting in an icy blue color, regardless of the breed.
The 8 Types of Dog Eye Colors and Their Rarity
Brown is the most common eye color in dogs. When there is a major increase in melanin, it produces different shades of neutral browns. Higher levels of melanin make eyes darker.
Because dogs’ genetics carry the high melanin levels so well, many dog breeds display brown eyes, including most mixed breeds. Some purebreds are more prone to brown eyes than others.You might see brown eyes in:
While these dogs have brown eyes most often, it can still show up in virtually any dog breed.
What Determines Eye Color in Dogs?
When your dog’s eye color is determined, different factors play a role. If you have a purebred dog, some breeds have specific eye colors based on genetics and coat color. Others can vary depending on the chromosomes that cross.
The most common eye color for dogs is brown while the rarest is green, but it depends on both parents. Many dogs of the same breed can have different eye colors strictly based on what traits take hold.
Why Do Most Dogs Have Brown Eyes?
The eyes are the windows to the soul—and for dogs, thats doubly true. Our four-legged friends cant communicate with us through words, but they can convey a lot to us through their eyes, ears, and general body language. However, a dogs eyes—especially their eye color—can tell you a lot more about them than whether theyd like a second milk bone or have stepped on an ouchie. They can also relay important information about their breed and genetic makeup.