While blue-eyed dogs have an increased risk of cochleosaccular deafness, researchers from Louisiana State University concluded this: “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 the deafness gene…” That being said, certain breeds, such as Dalmatians, bull terriers, English setters, and English cocker spaniels who have blue eyes are more likely to be deaf. Kamelevska Tetiana/Shutterstock Are all blue-eyed dogs prone to deafness? And when your dog is relaxed, they may even look like they’re squinting. Dilated pupils may be a sign of fear - or excitement. Round eyes that show a lot of white indicate your pup is tense. Regardless of their color, the expression in your dog’s eyes is a great way to know what they’re thinking. So, as you can see, there’s more to a blue-eyed dog than (has to be said) meets the eye. Most eye diseases can be treated - with a better prognosis occurring in those that are detected early. Glaucoma: A disease of the optic nerve, can also give a bluish tint to the eye.Īny change in your dog’s vision should be reported to your veterinarian immediately.Cataracts: Often a sign of aging, cast a cloudy and often bluish look to the eye.Interstitial keratitis: An inflammation of the cornea that can display as a bluish-white film over the eye.If your brown-eyed adult dog’s eyes change color, it may be a signal of eye disease or the aging process: This rare condition can cause smaller eyes, eyes sensitive to light, and deformities in the lens or iris that can cause poor vision or complete blindness. Common vision problems for the offspring include smaller eyes, off-center pupils, light sensitivity, general impaired vision, and a greater risk of developing cataracts.Īlbinism occurs when a dog can’t produce sufficient melanin and is completely devoid of color. Merle ocular dysgenesis occurs when two merle-coated dogs have puppies. It’s more prevalent in white dogs with blue eyes, and it usually appears within 1 to 3 weeks of age in one or both ears. And while not all blue-eyed dogs will have problems with their sight or hearing, some are at greater risk for certain conditions.Ĭochleosaccular deafness is a hereditary condition linked to the pigment in a dog’s coat and eyes. Pigment isn’t just about color it’s also a critical element in the development of sight and hearing in our canine friends. dorazett/Shutterstock Do dogs with blue eyes have health problems? While previous studies indicate that genes that determine coat color play a major role in determining a dog’s eye color, a study from 2018 discovered that another gene important in eye development might also play a role. Scientists are still studying the phenomenon. The dog’s DNA is the key to how much melanin is produced. Blue eyes have a small amount of melanin (or none at all) in the front layer and a small amount in the back. Brown eyes, which are the most common color, have brown pigment in both the front and back layers of the iris. It’s all about the melanin, or the pigment in the iris, that makes up the colored part of the eye. Ermolaev Alexander/Shutterstock Why do some dogs have blue eyes? Additionally, if the fur around your dog’s eyes is white, their chances of having blue eyes (along with a pink nose and skin) increase. In fact, blue eyes indicate a lack of pigment. Ironically, blue eyes don’t actually have any blue pigment. Dog breeds that naturally have blue eyes include:
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