Frank Sinatra may be called Ol’ Blue Eyes, but we know 16 dog breeds that can give him a run for his money. Dog breeds with blue eyes make our hearts sing with their piercing gazes and unique coats (yes, coat and eye color are related!). Siberian Huskies, Australian Shepherds and Weimaraners are known for their blue eyes, but you can also find Bulldogs, Cardigan Welsh Corgis and Dalmatians with baby blues. This trait is genetic, passed down by at least one parent to a litter of puppies. Though more research needs to be done, there are some links between blue eyes and blindness or deafness. At the end of the day, no matter the eye color, we just love dogs (and so does Frank Sinatra). 

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Meet the Expert:

Caitlyn Bruns is the Senior Manager of DNA Strategy for Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry. With over ten years in the animal genetics field, Bruns manages a group of scientists researching pet DNA.

Why Does My Dog Have Blue Eyes?

Like any other trait, blue eyes are genetic and inherited. Caitlyn Bruns, the Senior Manager of DNA Strategy for Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry, says blue eyes are linked to specific markers, or places, in a dog’s DNA. While blue eyes are more likely if one of your dog’s parents had blue eyes, Bruns says it’s not a guarantee.

Blue eyes may be linked to other traits and even certain health issues. “Some of the markers that influence [blue eyes] also influence the dog’s coat color, like merle, roan and white spotting,” says Bruns. The same genetic marker responsible for merle patterns, which look like splattered paint and are often blue and gray or tan, can cause blue eyes. Many breed standards allow for blue eyes in dogs with merle coats, perhaps because of this link.

You’ll notice we mention breed standards a lot when discussing blue eyes in dogs. Breed standards are written guides describing the perfect version of a particular breed. They include descriptions on temperament, how a dog should move and what the dog should look like. Breeders use these ideal traits to choose and breed show dogs. Judges refer to the standards when determining best in show.

Of course, no dog is perfect. Most pups, even purebreds, deviate from the breed standard. These deviations are often called faults. For many breeds, blue eyes are considered faults. For a few, blue eyes are preferred.

Back to genetics! The link between merle coats and eye color doesn’t explain why Siberian Huskies can have some of the bluest eyes around. But Embark, another company studying dog DNA, may have found an answer. The company discovered two specific genetic variants associated with blue eyes in canines. The research, published in 2018 in the journal Plos Genetics, found that a genetic duplication (we’re simplifying here) might be responsible for keeping pigment out of the iris in certain breeds, resulting in light or blue eyes. 

When it comes to health issues, blue eyes don’t automatically mean your pup is going to get sick more often. The concern is actually about merle patterns. The American Kennel Club says breeding two merle-coated dogs could negatively affect pigment cells which are responsible for coat and eye color—and nerve development. There’s a higher chance a dog with two merle parents will be born blind or deaf.

On the other hand, Bruns says, “The relationship between blue eyes and vision problems in dogs is still being researched.”

Until we know more, dog DNA tests are great ways to find out whether your pup carries a merle gene or is at greater risk for health complications that may not be immediately apparent.

Why Do My Dogs Eyes Look Blue in a Photo Flash?

If you take a photo of your dog with a flash, chances are his eyes will look blue. This is because of the tapetum lucidum, a reflective surface in the back of canine eyeballs that helps them see better at night. When your camera flashes, light bounces off the tapetum lucidum, causing a blue or green hue in the picture.

If you take a photo of your dog without a flash and notice his eyes are bluer than normal or almost cloudy, it’s time for a visit to the vet. These changes could indicate cataracts or glaucoma.

What to Know More?

Bruns, who loves digging deep into pet DNA, encourages dog parents to invest in a test like Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry. Learning about your pup’s genetics can help you better understand your dog’s behavior, which is just fun, no matter their eye color.

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