Dog Breeds With Blue Eyes

When it comes to dogs, there are few physical traits that are more striking than a pair of piercing blue eyes. Several dog breeds possess blue eyes which adds an alluring and captivating dimension to their appearance. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular dog breeds having blue eyes, including the Siberian Husky, English Setter, Weimaraner, Dalmatian, Border Collies, Dachshund, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and Australian Shepherds.

As a dog lover and owner, I can attest to the captivating beauty of blue eyes in dogs. My own dog, a Siberian Husky, possesses striking blue eyes that never fail to turn heads and draw compliments in public. Blue eyes is just one of the dog’s many traits though and personality still counts best.

Dog with Blue Eyes

Alaskan Klee Kai

As a dog lover, I’m always on the lookout for unique blue-eyed dog breeds. One lesser-known breed that has caught my attention is the Alaskan Klee Kai. While not as well-known as some other breeds, these dogs have a striking resemblance to their larger cousin, the Siberian Husky, and are known for their blue eyes.

This blue-eyed dogs were first bred in the 1970s to create a smaller version of the Siberian Husky. They have a similar appearance to their larger relatives, with thick coat colors and distinctive markings. However, Alaskan Klee Kai dogs are much smaller, weighing only 10-20 pounds.

Australian Cattle Dog

While the AKC lists dark eyes as the standard, blue eyes are still very common with this low-maintenance breed. 

Like most working breeds, these dogs need a lot of exercise to stay happy – making them great candidates for a wireless dog fence. These are dogs who need obedience training early on to get the most out of them, but they tend to be fantastically happy when they’re properly trained and socialized. I definitely recommend this dog for a patient owner looking for an energetic blue-eyed pup.

Australian Shepherd 

The Australian Shepherd blue eyes can vary in their striking shade. In fact, the American Kennel Club lists blue eyes as part of the Australian Shepherd standard regardless of the dog’s coat color and many of these dogs actually have heterochromia and also carry the merle gene.

The Australian Shepherd carries the blue-eyed gene and is known to be incredibly agile and full of energy. Though they need plenty of exercises to stay happy and healthy, they are the perfect type of dog for those who have families. 

Border Collie

The Border Collie often have blue eyes, even if blue isn’t necessarily an AKC ‘preferred’ color across the board with these dogs. With a number of different coat colors and patterns, these dogs are among the most easily identifiable long-haired dogs carrying the blue-eyed gene and the merle gene.

Border Collies love to be around humans and that does a great job when properly trained. They tend to get mischievous when they don’t get enough exercise, though, so I suggest enrolling Border Collies in an agility training course or any kind of dog sport.

Boxer

Yes, Boxers can be one of the few dogs with blue eyes. The AKC again doesn’t consider this a good thing, but most owners love it when their dog carries the blue-eyed gene.

Boxers are big, goofy family dogs. They’re active, but they can be trained to be fantastic pets. The biggest issues with this dog tend to come from its size, which means that you’re going to have to lay some ground rules while the Boxer is young so that it doesn’t end up becoming a danger to itself in a crowded home. 

Catahoula Leopard Dog

It’s not that surprising that Catahoulas can have blue eyes. After all, these dogs tend to come in just about every color you can imagine.

These dogs are fantastic animals in general, but they take a lot more work than one might hope. They’re incredibly territorial and require significant amounts of training, and even then you’ll be left with a dog that requires much more attention than you might hope. I discourage first-time owners from getting this particular breed.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Cardigans are another type of dog that tend to have blue eyes and develop merle coats, at least according to the AKC. Though not quite as famous as their Pembroke cousins, these dogs are nonetheless fantastic pets. 

Cardigans are perhaps best known as companion dogs. They are usually happy, love to play, and have a ton of energy. They have just enough energy to play around but not so much that it makes them a hassle for city dwellers, making them an ideal pet no matter where you happen to live. Watch out for merle coats as they can be quite common merle dogs.

Cocker Spaniel

The AKC doesn’t like it when Cocker Spaniels have blue eyes. This is a little odd, though, since so many people think that the blue-eyed trait look is great! 

Cocker Spaniels tend to be very popular. They’re playful, happy, and love people. They’re great companion animals, though they do require a little bit of extra work to be good with kids. Once trained, though, they are fantastic athletes who really don’t put too much strain on their owners. 

Dalmatian

According to the AKC, Dalmatians are another breed that tends to have blue eyes. Honestly, though, most people are going to spend more time staring at this breed’s spots. 

Blue-eyed dalmatians are definitely a good-looking dog, but they’re not as easy as you might think. These famous dogs are just as famous for being hard to train and they require a lot of exercise to stop them from getting destructive. A blue-eyed Dalmatian makes a fantastic fit for those who love to be on the go, even if they take some extra training to be a family dog. Note that this breed can also carry the merle gene.

Dachshund

Yes, the famous Weiner dog can have blue eyes! More common in dappled dachshunds than their mono-color brethren, blue eyes are rare but definitely not unheard of. 

Originally bred for hunting, dachshunds have a reputation for being stubborn and requiring a lot of maintenance, but these challenging dogs can be great family pets who love to play with kids of all ages. Prone to a back injury with short legs, these low-energy stubborn dogs don’t need too much exercise but will absolutely thrive if given the proper kind of attention. 

German Shepherds

Looking for a blue-eyed German Shepherd? Typically one of the most popular breeds in the United States, the AKC notes that there really are some German Shepherds out there who have very dark blue eyes. Blue-eyed German Shepherds need a lot of maintenance to look their best and they make a wonderful family companion.

If there’s a downside to the German Shepherd, it’s that they need a lot of stimulation to stay happy. A great guard dog, they’re smart but trainable and absolutely want to stick around their owners. The breed remains to be a favorite in most American homes.

Great Dane

Not quite as popular as a blue-eyed dog, a Great Dane can still have blue eyes with certain color patterns. Regardless of their eye color though, they remain gentle giants. 

While Great Danes definitely still look like guard dogs, the truth is that the modern version of the breed is a big goofball with a ton of energy. While they’re actually great with people, they aren’t great for those with small children. Great Dane puppies need early training too since they can grow big quickly!

Neapolitan Mastiff

The AKC doesn’t particularly care for blue eyes in these dogs, but they’re definitely big enough that no one will argue with them about it!

These are huge dogs who are neither common nor easy to care for. They’re very smart and independent guard dogs who were bred to work alone, so this means that they’re both slow to trust and tough to train. With this said, a solid training regimen can turn this dog into a sweet companion animal that simply needs a lot of exercises to stay in good shape. 

Old English Sheepdog

These Sheepdogs have a number of eye colors with blue eyes occurring more often than you’d think. Unlike many, though, the blue eyes that these dogs possess are definitely very light. 

So, what can owners expect from this classic breed? A lot of energy, but not as much as you might expect from a classic sheepdog. I recommend training this dog early to get him or her to like people. Once done, however, owners can be sure that they’re getting a dog who is incredibly loyal. This isn’t a dog for novices, but it can still be a fantastic pet. 

Pitbull

Blue eyes are literally the only eye color that the AKC and UKC don’t approve of in this breed. With that said, many Pitbull owners find the blue-eyed look to be absolutely adorable. 

Pitbulls are descended from terriers and bulldogs, so owners are going to wind up with a dog who is both full of energy and who is very strong-willed. Other bully varieties like the Bull Terrier can also have the blue gene.

Shetland Sheepdog

Sure, not every Shelite has blue eyes but even the AKC does admit that they tend to show up from time to time in these small herding canines. 

Smart and skillful, these dogs are great for those who want a dog who is easy to train but not so good for those who need a dog who doesn’t want attention. In my experience, Shelties love their owners so much that they herd them from place to place at the same time. 

Shih Tzu

This is another dog that tends to have light blue eyes, even the AKC considers this a fault in the breed. 

With a long, shiny coat, these lap dogs can be high-maintenance. Owners will spend a lot of time grooming this kind of dog but the breed is definitely a lap breed. A real hit with kids, these affectionate dogs are full of personality and always happy to socialize. Though tricky to train at best, this playful breed thrives as wonderful family dogs.

Siberian Husky

Though the American Kennel Club lists Huskies as having dark brown eyes, it’s not uncommon to see a Husky with at least one blue eye. In fact, these dogs are prone to heterochromia which means they can have one blue eye and one brown eye – or basically two different eye colors.

Huskies are smart, and energetic, and don’t need to be washed very often. At the same time, they’re stubborn, hard to train, and need a lot of input from their owners to stay happy. Watch out for any mixes of this breed too like the Husky Corgi mix or a Husky German Shepherd mix.

Weimaraner

According to the American Kennel Club, Weimaraners can have lovely gray and blue eyes, though they’re generally more apt to have amber eyes. These dogs definitely use these baby blues to their full advantage, though, as these pretty dogs tend to be exceedingly clever. 

For fans of dogs with baby blues, this breed has a lot of perks. They’re easy to take care of when it comes to grooming but their ears do need special attention. They do, however, tend to be a little harder to train than you might hope.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What breed of dog can have blue eyes?

Many breeds can have blue eyes. From Huskies and Pitbulls to Shih Tzus and Cocker Spaniels. Brown eyes are actually more common with blue eyes often viewed as a rare or an uncommon genetic trait. It’s always good to check the AKC breed standards to figure out if blue eyes are a possibility in a breed.

2. Are blue eyes in dogs bad?

Blue eyes are only bad if a dog’s eyes start to turn that color later in life. In those cases, brown eyes turning into a cloudy blue coloring generally indicates that something is wrong with the dog’s eyes. In most cases, though, blue eyes are just a natural part of a dog and they don’t mean anything beyond the fact that the dog carries the gene for having blue eyes. While blue eyes are normal though, you need to watch out for the blue merle color.

3. What do Blue Eyes mean in a dog?

Blue eyes don’t really mean much in dogs most of the time. Generally, blue eyes just show that the dog is carrying genes for that eye color. If a dog does start to develop blue eyes later along with blue merles, this can be a sign that the dog is suffering from some kind of ocular health issues. The eyes themselves can indicate genetic problems. For example, double merle dogs or those carrying the merle gene may show deformity in the irises. Blue in other aspects of the dog, like the blue merle coat or merle coloring, can also indicate the merle gene. Note that the merle dog can develop deafness in one or both ears.

4. What is the rarest eye color for dogs?

Green is the rarest eye color in dogs. This can vary a bit by breed, of course, with both amber and dogs with blue eyes running close for the rarest eye colors. Other than a dominant blue eye gene color, other rare colors include speckled, golden, and hazel. The brown eye shade is often the most common.