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How Do Dogs Get Blue Eyes?

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why do some dogs have blue eyes

How Do Dogs Get Blue Eyes?

For Dog People
By Kiki Kane

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Have you ever wondered why so few dogs have blue eyes? For dogs, brown is the most common eye color, with amber running a close second. Sporting one or two blue eyes is a rare treat in the dog world. Genetically speaking, there are four ways for a dog to wind up with baby blues.

1. The merle gene

The swirly-whirly coat pattern created by the merle gene can also affect the skin and eye color. The merle gene is present in quite a few dog breeds, including Aussies, corgis, and dachshunds.

Merle Aussie

#calicotheaussie #aussiepuppy #aussiesofinstagram #aussienation #blueeyedmerle #bluemerleaussie #australianshepherd

A photo posted by Calico (@calicotheaussie) on Jun 7, 2016 at 7:57pm PDT

A merle Dachshund is called a Dapple

A photo posted by ☆ Paisley ● Monroe ☆ (@paisley.monroe) on Nov 21, 2016 at 11:35am PST

Alapaha blue-blood bulldog

#neckschamp #alapaha #alapahabluebloodbulldog #fourteenmonths #blueeyedmerle #merle #teefies #iabbr

A photo posted by Alison Garner (@frenchiegarner) on Jul 24, 2015 at 7:17am PDT

 

2. Lack of pigment around one or both eyes

Dogs with large areas of white around one or both eyes can have blue eyes from the lack of pigment.

Boxer

via flickr/mythicseabass

Boston terrier

4 legged @lostworld_1 fan ✌ #buddy #frenchbostonmix #frenchbulldog #bostonterrier #puppylove #lostworldclothing #instadaily #picagram #thirsty #oneblueeye #onebrowneye

A photo posted by made in the 80s (@modernlifeisrubbish186) on Feb 2, 2017 at 10:25am PST

Collie mix

Hi I’m #Remy! #dogsofinstagram #aberdeenshire #oneblueeye

A photo posted by Gordon & Tabitha (@loganandremy) on Jan 29, 2017 at 9:42am PST

 

3. A rare blue eye gene

Dog breeds like the border collie and the husky can possess and share a dominant blue eye gene. Other breeds, like the corgi and beagle, have a recessive and rarely-seen gene marker for blue eyes.

Beagle

Husky

Fun in the sun ? #jokerface #funinthesun #huskyfun #faceoffun #huskyplaying #huskypup #huskylove #huskymask #baloothebear #boogybearbaloo #boogybear #woolyhusky #woolyhuskypuppy #huskylife #crazyhusky #huskypup #akc #akchusky

A photo posted by Laurel (@superlaurel231) on Jan 27, 2017 at 11:35pm PST

Corgi

Treats?! ? #treatsplease #blueeyedcorgi #corgi #corgis #corgination #corgisofinstagram

A photo posted by Corgi Cabana (@corgicabana) on Jan 28, 2017 at 1:31pm PST

 

4. Albinism

Albino dogs are quite rare. Albino dogs are more likely to have blue or light amber eyes rather than pink or red.

Labrador

Blue eyes ?? #duke_the_albino_lab #labradors_journey #labradorsdaily #labradorsarebest #labradorsofinstagram #labsofinstagram #labs #blueeyes #labrador #labradorretriever #labradors_ #labradorsofinstagram #labradorpuppy #white #albino #dog #albinomodel

A photo posted by Duke_the_albino_lab (@duke_the_albino_lab) on Dec 23, 2016 at 8:01am PST

Schnauzer

When you wake up to this face ? my little Coby ? #cobalt #coby #dog #cute #albino #albinodog #albinoschnauzer #schnauzer #schnauzersofinstagram #minischnauzer #blueeyes #piggy #piggynose #adorable #cuddles #boy #morning #friday #perth #munchkin

A photo posted by lauren rogers ?? (@laurenrebeccarogers) on Nov 3, 2016 at 7:37pm PDT

Pug

Oi! Hi! ¡Hola! #pug #pugalbino #pugcarlino #cão #perro #dog #puglovers #pugbaby #pugstagram #puglife #puglife #pugofinstagram #puglove #instapug #passeio #pugloversclub #pugbrasil #chico #pugsproud_feature #albinopug

A photo posted by Chico Maru Pug (@chicomarupug) on Oct 24, 2016 at 12:28pm PDT

Further reading

The fascinating Dog Genetics page has tons of information on how genetics affect and create all the wonderful coat colors in dogs today.

_

Featured image: Heather Atwell Pet Photography + Duke the Albino Lab

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Kiki Kane

Kiki Kane is a canine chef, professional blogger, and lifelong animal lover owned by a Frenchie-Boston mix named Bea Pickles and a geriatric kitty named Mogwai. As a dog chef and member of Rover's Dog People Panel, she creates original dog-friendly recipes for the web series Kiki's Canine Kitchen.

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