If you’ve ever had a dog innocently stare at you while you open a snack, or noticed them tracking your every step around the house, you already know a dog’s eyes do a lot more than just see. Personally mine watches me like a hawk when I’m near the treat jar.
Just like their expressions, eye color is another one of those little details that make dogs very interesting. From deep browns to striking blues and even rare shades in between, dog eye colors are as varied as their personalities. And beyond looks, eye colors give hints about a dog’s breed, genetics, and even small health changes as well.
Table of Contents
Common Dog Eye Colors and What They Mean
Most dogs have brown eyes, and it’s by far the most common color you’ll see. But even within “brown,” there’s a whole range, from soft amber to almost-black shades. This dog eye color chart shows you every color that exists in dogs
| Eye Color | Common Breeds | Possible Health Concerns |
| Brown (Light to Dark) (Popular) | Labrador Retriever, Beagle, German Shepherd | Normal, most common eye color |
| Amber/Golden (Popular) | Siberian Husky, Weimaraner, Australian Shepherd | Normal, no concerns unless sudden color change |
| Blue (Popular) | Siberian Husky, Border Collie, Australian Cattle Dog | May indicate vision problems in some breeds |
| Green (Rare) | American Pit Bull Terrier, Mixed Breeds | Usually normal, but check for eye infections if discoloration occurs |
| Gray/Silver (Rare) | Weimaraner, Siberian Husky | May indicate cataracts or aging in older dogs |
| Hazel (Popular) | Australian Shepherd, Catahoula Leopard Dog | Normal, common in merle-coated breeds |
| Heterochromia (Two Different Colors) (Rare & Popular) | Siberian Husky, Australian Shepherd, Catahoula Leopard Dog | Normal genetic trait, no health concerns |
| Red/Glowing Red (in Low Light) | Any breed (due to reflection from tapetum lucidum) | Normal in night vision, but red-tinted eyes in daylight may indicate irritation or infection |
| Cloudy or Milky | Common in senior dogs, various breeds | Possible cataracts, glaucoma, or corneal disease-seek veterinary care |
| Yellowish Tint | Any breed, especially senior dogs | May indicate liver disease or jaundice-consult a vet |
| Bloodshot/Red | Any breed | Can indicate irritation, injury, infection, or glaucoma-seek veterinary attention if persistent |
| Violet/Purple (Rare) | Albino Dogs, Uncommon Genetic Mutation | May indicate albinism or lack of pigmentation-monitor for vision issues |
| Pink (Albino) (Rare) | Albino Doberman, White German Shepherd | Genetic condition; higher risk of sun sensitivity and vision problems |
| Orange/Copper (Rare) | Liver-colored Dogs, Unique Genetic Variation | Usually normal, but any sudden change should be checked |
| Marbled/Mixed Colors (Rare & Popular) | Australian Shepherd, Great Dane, Border Collie | Normal genetic trait, common in merle-coated dogs |
| Dark Black Eyes (Popular) | Rottweiler, Doberman, Newfoundland | Normal, provides a striking appearance |
Dog Eye Color Based on Breed
Your dog’s breed plays a big role in what eye color they’re likely to have. Some breeds almost always have a certain shade, while others carry a mix of possibilities based on genetics. In most breeds, eye color can shift slightly as a puppy grows.
| Breed | Common Eye Color(s) | Possible Health Concerns |
| Labrador Retriever | Brown | Normal, most common eye color |
| German Shepherd | Brown, Amber | Normal, but monitor for age-related changes |
| Beagle | Brown, Hazel | Normal, no concerns unless sudden color change |
| Siberian Husky | Blue, Brown, Heterochromia | May indicate vision problems in some cases |
| Weimaraner | Amber, Gray/Silver | May indicate cataracts or aging in older dogs |
| Australian Shepherd | Blue, Brown, Amber, Heterochromia, Marbled | Normal, common in merle-coated breeds |
| Catahoula Leopard Dog | Hazel, Blue, Green, Heterochromia | Normal genetic trait, no health concerns |
| Border Collie | Blue, Brown, Marbled | May indicate vision problems in some cases |
| Australian Cattle Dog | Blue, Brown | Usually normal, but sudden changes should be checked |
| Great Dane | Brown, Blue, Marbled | Normal, but some coat colors may have higher health risks |
| Doberman Pinscher | Brown, Black | Normal, provides a striking appearance |
| Newfoundland | Brown, Black | Normal, no concerns unless color changes |
| Albino Doberman | Pink, Violet/Purple | Genetic condition; higher risk of sun sensitivity and vision problems |
| White German Shepherd | Brown, Pink (Albino) | Genetic condition; monitor for sun sensitivity |
| Pit Bull Terrier (Some Varieties) | Green, Brown, Hazel | Usually normal, but check for infections if discoloration occurs |
| Liver-Colored Dogs (Various Breeds) | Amber, Orange/Copper | Usually normal, but sudden changes should be checked |
| Senior Dogs (Various Breeds) | Cloudy, Milky, Yellowish Tint | Possible cataracts, glaucoma, or liver disease-seek veterinary care |
| Any Breed | Bloodshot/Red, Yellowish Tint | Can indicate irritation, injury, infection, or jaundice-seek veterinary attention if persistent |
Genetics Behind Dog Eye Color
Just like us humans, a dog’s eye color is mostly determined by genetics and how much melanin is in the eye.
- More melanin = darker eyes (usually dark brown or black)
- Less melanin = lighter eyes (amber, blue, green, or hazel)
Specific genes influence how much melanin ends up in a dog’s eyes. In some dogs, a gene can “dilute” melanin across the body, affecting coat, nose, and eye color all at once.
Breeds that commonly carry these genes, like Australian Shepherds, Huskies, and Catahoulas are more likely to have unusual or rare eye colors. In mixed breeds, it’s a toss-up. A dog could inherit dominant brown eyes from one parent or get a mix that results in blue or hazel.
It’s important to remember that while eye color is mainly cosmetic, in some breeds, the same genes that affect eye color can also be linked to hearing or vision issues especially in double merles. So while those eyes might look stunning, a health check is always a good idea.
Rare Dog Eye Colors
Some dogs are born with eye colors that really stand out. These rare colors don’t happen often, and when they do, it’s usually because of genetics, coat color, or even a specific gene mutation.
Blue Eyes: Blue eyes in dogs can look striking, especially against darker coats. They’re common in Huskies, but can also appear in Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, and even some mixed breeds. Blue eyes are typically caused by the “merle” gene or a gene that reduces melanin in the iris.
Green Eyes: Green is extremely rare in dogs. If you see greenish eyes, they’re usually a mix of hazel and light blue tones. Some Pit Bulls and American Bullies can have green eyes, especially when they’re puppies, but they may shift as the dog grows.
Heterochromia: This is when a dog has one blue eye and one brown or amber eye. It’s rare but totally natural and most common in breeds like Huskies, Catahoula Leopard Dogs, and Australian Shepherds.
These rare eye colors are beautiful, but they don’t usually affect a dog’s vision or health. However, in some cases, especially in merle-coated dogs, unusual eye colors can be linked to vision or hearing issues.
Also read: Husky Eye Color Chart
Do Dogs’ Eye Colors Change Over Time?
Yes usually when they’re puppies. Most puppies are born with blue or bluish-gray eyes, even if they won’t stay that way. As they grow, their bodies start producing more melanin. That’s when their true eye color starts to develop, usually between 4 to 8 weeks of age, and sometimes not fully settling until about 4 to 6 months old.
So if you’ve ever fallen in love with a puppy’s blue eyes, don’t be surprised if they eventually shift to a deep brown or amber as they grow.
But what about adult dogs?
In healthy adult dogs, eye color doesn’t usually change. If it does it could be due to several factors like:
- Aging: Some senior dogs may develop a cloudy or grayish appearance in their eyes. This isn’t an eye color change – it’s often due to a normal aging process called nuclear sclerosis.
- Health issues: A sudden change in eye color (especially if one eye changes, or if it turns cloudy, red, or very pale) might be a sign of infection, injury, glaucoma, or other eye problems.
In short, color change is common in puppies, but for adult dogs, any noticeable shift in eye color or clarity should be checked out.
FAQs
Can two brown-eyed dogs have a blue-eyed puppy?
Yes, it’s possible, though not common. If both parents carry the gene for blue eyes (even if they don’t show it themselves), there’s a chance it could show up in one of their puppies. It all depends on the combination of hidden genes being passed down.
Is it rare for dogs to have green eyes?
Some dogs may have hazel or light eyes that look greenish in the light, but true green eyes are very uncommon and usually show up in certain breeds with dilute coat colors.
Can blue eyes in dogs be linked to blindness in any case?
Blue eyes by themselves aren’t a problem. Some people think they cause vision issues, but that’s not true for most dogs. However, in breeds that carry the double merle gene, blue eyes might come along with hearing or sight problems, so it depends more on genetics than the color itself.
Do puppies always keep their blue eyes?
Most don’t. Blue eyes in puppies are very common at birth but often change to brown or amber as they grow. You usually start to see their true eye color between 6 to 16 weeks old. If the blue stays past that, it’s likely permanent.
Is heterochromia harmful for dogs?
Having two different colored eyes might look unusual, but it’s usually just a harmless genetic trait. As long as your dog sees and hears well, heterochromia doesn’t cause any problems.