These dogs do not always have
blue eyes
, but
pale blue
, “ghostly” eyes are common among the breed.
Do blue eyed
australian shepherds
have eye problems?
Blue eyes in Aussies: Having blue-eyes does not mean a dog is blind. Blue eyes or partially blue eyes can occur in any color dog. Eye defects caused by the
merle gene
are due to having two copies of the merle gene. Cataracts and distichiasis are the most common eye diseases in Aussies.
Do blue eyed Australian Shepherds go blind?
In some dog breeds, blue eyes can be an indicator of possible vision defects. However, they do not necessarily mean a blue-eyed dog will eventually go blind While Siberian Huskies and other breeds normally have blue eyes, in other breeds this eye color occurs when two merle-colored dogs produce offspring.
Where do Australian Shepherds get their blue eyes?
It’s All About a Gene Mutation Anytime an Aussie has different colored eyes, it is due to a gene mutation that is passed down from at least one parent The mutation affects how much melanin is present in the eye. More melanin results in a brown eye, while a lack of melanin results in a blue eye.
How do you tell if a puppy’s eyes will stay blue?
Their eyes can go from blue to grey to blue again, or they can change from blue to grey to brown over the course of a month or so. By the time your dog is about 6 months old, their eye color is likely set and will not change as they get older.
How long do puppies eyes stay blue?
However, the process occurs slowly and doesn’t happen overnight. It often takes nine to 12 weeks , starting from this point, for a puppy’s eye color to settle in and “stay.” The permanent eye color change can even happen as late as 16 weeks in age.
Are blue eyed dogs healthy?
Genetically, blue eyes are typically no indication of health issues ; however, dogs with genetically blue eyes have been linked to having hearing impairments, according to Washington State University.
Are blue eyes in dogs rare?
That said, the trait is still quite rare In our DNA testing, we’ve found only about 5% of dogs to have the blue eye variant. Genetic variants may cause only one eye to be blue.
Are dogs with blue eyes more sensitive to the sun?
If Your Dog Has Blue Or Light Eyes. Australian shepherds and huskies are known for their striking blue eyes, but a light-pigmented eye can mean trouble and discomfort in the bright sun Make sure they have a shady place to rest their eyes if needed. They even make sunglasses for dogs if they’re in real discomfort.
Are blue eyed dogs deaf?
Blue eyes, resulting from an absence of pigment in the iris, is common with pigment-associated deafness but is not, in and of itself, an indication of deafness or the presence of a deafness gene; however, in several breeds (Dalmatian, English Setter, English Cocker Spaniel, Bull Terrier), dogs (and cats) with blue eyes.
What should I name my blue eyed dog?
Some of the best and most unique names for male blue-eyed dogs are Calvin, Denim, Diesel, Levi, Wrangler, Navy, Admiral, Polar, Ridley, and Frosty What is this? Some of the best and most unique female names for blue-eyed dogs are Atasi, Agave, Bluebell, Azure, Indigo, Mavi, Sandy, Icky, Doli, and Blau.
Why are Australian Shepherds so weird?
Australian Shepherds are truly amazing and unique dogs. Although they come in both mini and standard sizes, all Aussies were bred to be herding dogs. As a result, most of their quirks are centered around their genetic herding instincts and need for plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
Do all Blue Merle Australian Shepherds have blue eyes?
Not all Blue Merle Aussies have blue eyes However, it is prevalent. The blue merle color and pattern are caused by a gene that varies the amount of pigment in the hair, skin, and eyes. This often causes Australian Shepherds to be born with blue eyes.
Why do Aussies have no tail?
The natural bobbed tail is a
recessive gene
within the Australian Shepherd dog breed genetic code This genetic mutation curbs the tail, naturally creating a shortened tail that is only about one or two vertebrae in length.
Do Australian Shepherds have a favorite person?
The Australian Shepherd is not one of them. They, like some other animals, have their one chosen person , which is probably you if your dog sits on you all the time. When the Australian Shepherd chooses their person, they begin to exhibit loyalty towards you, even to an extreme degree.
Do Australian Shepherd puppies change color?
Some Australian shepherd puppies will change color This effect is uncommon and unpredictable, but an Aussie puppy can change colors. However, color changes are rare and can be due to age or spending time outside in the sun. They can also turn white in extreme cases.
Why Aussies are the best dogs?
The breed is considered highly intelligent and easy to train Aussies are known for being especially eager to please their owners. True to their herding instincts, Aussies are very protective of their families and territory and will let you know if strangers approach, but they are not considered aggressive.
What is the rarest eye color for dogs?
Eye color in dogs is determined by the amount of melanin found in the iris. Brown eyes contain a high concentration of melanin, while green or blue have less. Most dogs have brown eyes, but there are breeds with pale blue, speckled, golden, or hazel colored eyes. The rarest color of all is green.
How common are blue eyes in dogs?
Scientists say only 5% of dogs have the blue-eye variant as part of their DNA. The blue-eyed trait is recessive and most often related to coat color, specifically in those with merle (mottled patches of color) or piebald (white coat with spots of color). Dog breeds that naturally have blue eyes include: Siberian husky.
What happens if a dog’s eye is blue?
Lenticular sclerosis or nuclear sclerosis is the medical term for a bluish transparent haze that develops in the lens of the eye in middle-aged to senior dogs. This is considered a normal change in the lens associated with aging, and is observed as a cloudiness or bluish discoloration on the pupil.
Do Merle dogs have blue eyes?
All merles may have blue or partially blue eyes , and pink or partially pink noses. Merle can be completely hidden by recessive red, as recessive red dogs can’t make eumelanin pigment and merle only affects eumelanin.
Do blue eyed dogs go blind faster?
Blue eyes does not indicate that your dog will eventually go blind, deaf, or have any other genetic defects Variation in pigmentation in the iris can occur for varying reasons, and doesn’t necessarily point to health concerns.
What are the GREY dogs with blue eyes called?
These intelligent, energetic dogs are also called the “ Gray Ghost” They’re known for their blue (or sometimes amber) eyes and their distinctive silvery-gray coats.
How much is a Australian shepherd?
Australian Shepherd Breeders Depending on the breeder and availability in your area, an Australian Shepherd puppy can cost between $800-$1,800 and even be higher in some cases. On average, you can expect to pay around $1,000.
Are blue eyes more likely to go blind?
Iris Color This makes lighter eyes more sensitive to light and is what makes people with blue eyes more likely to have age-related macular degeneration Macular degeneration is caused when the light sensitive cells in the eyes start to die, which can eventually result in blindness.
What breed is a dog with blue eyes?
The Siberian Husky is the most popular breed with blue eyes. The Siberian Husky is perhaps one of the most famous blue-eyed breeds. It’s hypothesized that the ALX4 canine chromosome 18 is associated with the beautiful blue eyes that the Siberian Husky is known for.
Can dogs with blue eyes see color?
Dogs possess only two types of cones and can only discern blue and yellow – this limited color perception is called dichromatic vision.
What is special about blue eyes?
Blue Eyes are More Sensitive to Light Melanin in the iris of the eye appears to help protect the back of the eye from damage caused by UV radiation and high-energy visible “blue” light from sunlight and artificial sources of these rays.
Can puppies eyes change from brown to blue?
Puppies’ eyes start to change color when they are about four weeks old It can take between 9 to 16 weeks, though, for some puppies to reach their mature eye color. This depends on when the pigment melanin has fully developed. Some breeds will keep blue eyes throughout their entire life.
At what age can you tell if a puppy is deaf?
There are various signs that your dog may have been born deaf. As a puppy, response to sound should begin at around ten days following the birth If there is no response to sound, then this could be a sign of congenital deafness.
At what age can you tell if a dog is deaf?
All puppies and all breeds are deaf for the first 10 to 14 days of their life because their ear canals remain closed. Once your puppy is older than 14 days old, you can start looking for puppy deafness symptoms that will help you answer the question ‘is my puppy deaf or stubborn? ‘.
What is a double merle Australian Shepherd?
What is a double merle? A dog that inherits two dominant versions of M is a double merle. In Australian Shepherds these dogs usually will have excessive amounts of white, be deaf in one or both ears, and have serious and generally blinding eye defects.
Sources
https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/blue-eyed-australian-shepherd
https://www.womansday.com/life/pet-care/g30295222/dogs-with-blue-eyes/