Dog breeds with different colored eyes
One blue eye and one brown eye turns up in a handful of breeds. Here are the breeds in our data where the standard or the breed itself includes odd eyes, sometimes called bi-eyed or heterochromia.
17 of 162 breeds in our database
Alaskan Klee Kai
Small, 6–25 lb
Odd eyes possible: brown, blue, hazel, bi-eyed
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Loyal, Intelligent, Vigilant
- Lifespan
- 13–16 years
Australian Shepherd
Large, 40–65 lb
Odd eyes possible: brown, blue, amber, bi-eyed
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Smart, Work-oriented, Exuberant
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Beauceron
Large, 70–110 lb
Odd eyes possible: dark brown, hazel, bi-eyed
- Coat
- Short, double
- Nature
- Faithful, Gentle, Obedient
- Lifespan
- 10–12 years
Border Collie
Medium, 30–55 lb
Odd eyes possible: brown, amber, blue, bi-eyed
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Energetic, Affectionate, Smart
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Medium, 25–38 lb
Odd eyes possible: dark brown, brown, blue, bi-eyed
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Loyal, Affectionate, Smart
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Catahoula Leopard Dog
Large, 50–95 lb
Odd eyes possible: brown, amber, blue, green, bi-eyed
- Coat
- Short, smooth
- Nature
- Independent, Loyal, Watchful
- Lifespan
- 10–14 years
Collie
Large, 50–75 lb
Odd eyes possible: dark brown, blue, bi-eyed
- Coat
- Long, rough
- Nature
- Devoted, Proud, Graceful
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
Dachshund
Medium, 16–32 lb
Odd eyes possible: dark brown, blue, bi-eyed
- Coat
- Short, smooth
- Nature
- Curious, Friendly, Spunky
- Lifespan
- 12–16 years
Dalmatian
Large, 45–70 lb
Odd eyes possible: brown, amber, blue, bi-eyed
- Coat
- Short, smooth
- Nature
- Dignified, Outgoing, Smart
- Lifespan
- 11–13 years
Great Dane
Giant, 110–175 lb
Odd eyes possible: dark brown, blue, bi-eyed
- Coat
- Short, smooth
- Nature
- Friendly, Patient, Dependable
- Lifespan
- 7–10 years
Miniature American Shepherd
Medium, 20–40 lb
Odd eyes possible: brown, blue, hazel, amber, bi-eyed
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Intelligent, Good-natured, Devoted
- Lifespan
- 12–13 years
Miniature Dachshund
Toy, 8–11 lb
Odd eyes possible: dark brown, blue, bi-eyed
- Coat
- Short, smooth
- Nature
- Curious, Friendly, Spunky
- Lifespan
- 12–16 years
Mudi
Medium, 18–29 lb
Odd eyes possible: dark brown, brown, blue, bi-eyed
- Coat
- Medium, curly
- Nature
- Loyal, Intelligent, Active
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
Old English Sheepdog
Large, 60–100 lb
Odd eyes possible: brown, blue, bi-eyed
- Coat
- Long, double
- Nature
- Smart, Gentle, Adaptable
- Lifespan
- 10–12 years
Pomsky
Medium, 20–30 lb
Odd eyes possible: brown, blue, hazel, bi-eyed
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Playful, Curious, Vocal
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Shetland Sheepdog
Small, 15–25 lb
Odd eyes possible: dark brown, blue, bi-eyed
- Coat
- Long, double
- Nature
- Playful, Energetic, Bright
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
Siberian Husky
Medium, 35–60 lb
Odd eyes possible: brown, blue, bi-eyed
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Loyal, Outgoing, Mischievous
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
Good to know
Two different eye colors, usually one blue and one brown, is called heterochromia. The study below notes that merle and piebald coat patterns can leave a dog blue-eyed or odd-eyed, depending on where the white or diluted patches fall on the face. In Siberian Huskies, a duplication near the ALX4 gene is also linked to blue eyes and heterochromia.
13 of the 17 breeds above also come in merle. Because merle is linked to deafness, especially when a puppy gets two copies of the gene, see the merle page before choosing a puppy for its eyes alone.
Odd eyes are one of several accepted colors in these breeds, and any one dog may have both eyes the same color. Check a breeder's actual puppies and parents, not just the breed standard.
Sources
- Deane-Coe PE, et al. Direct-to-consumer DNA testing of 6,000 dogs reveals 98.6-kb duplication associated with blue eyes and heterochromia in Siberian Huskies. PLOS Genetics, 2018
- Strain GM, et al. Prevalence of deafness in dogs heterozygous or homozygous for the merle allele. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2009
- American Kennel Club: Dog breeds directory and breed trait ratings
Breed traits come from AKC breed standards and trait ratings. Individual dogs, and especially mixes, can differ from their breed.