Some dogs are born with one blue eye and one brown eye. The medical word is heterochromia, and breed standards often call it "bi-eyed" or "odd-eyed". In our breed data, 17 breeds list it as a possible eye color.
It is a striking look, and it is more common in some breeds than others. This guide covers each breed, its size and lifespan, and what to know before you pick a puppy for its eyes. For dogs with two blue eyes, see our list of dog breeds with blue eyes.
To search breeds by several traits at once, use our dog breeds by trait tool or the dog breed selector.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is the breed most often pictured with odd eyes. The standard accepts brown, blue and bi-eyed dogs. Researchers have tied a specific DNA change near the ALX4 gene to blue eyes and heterochromia in Huskies, which we explain below.
Huskies weigh 35 to 60 pounds and stand 20 to 23.5 inches tall. They live 12 to 14 years, and the AKC calls them loyal, outgoing and mischievous.
Practical note: the eyes do not change how the dog behaves. Plan for a lot of daily exercise and a secure fence.
Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds can have brown, blue, amber or bi-eyed eyes, and a dog with one blue eye and one brown eye is a familiar sight in the breed. Merle coats, which are on the breed's color list, often go with it.
It is a large breed at 40 to 65 pounds, 18 to 23 inches tall. The lifespan is 12 to 15 years, and the temperament is smart, work-oriented and exuberant.
Practical note: ask whether the parents were hearing tested, especially for merle litters.
Miniature American Shepherd
The Miniature American Shepherd lists brown, blue, hazel, amber and bi-eyed eyes. It shares the Aussie's merle colors, so odd eyes can show up the same way.
It is a medium dog at 20 to 40 pounds, 13 to 18 inches tall. The lifespan is 12 to 13 years, and the AKC temperament words are intelligent, good-natured and devoted.
Practical note: it is smaller than the Aussie but just as active, and it suits an owner who enjoys training.
Border Collie
Border Collies are usually brown-eyed, but amber, blue and bi-eyed are all listed for the breed. Merle and white-marked coats are where you tend to see them.
The Border Collie is a medium breed at 30 to 55 pounds and 18 to 22 inches tall. The lifespan is 12 to 15 years, and the AKC temperament words are energetic, affectionate and smart.
Practical note: this breed is built to work, so a bored Border Collie finds its own jobs, and you will not like them.
Alaskan Klee Kai
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a small spitz-type dog that looks like a mini Husky. Its eye colors include brown, blue, hazel and bi-eyed. The 2018 Husky study found the same blue-eye DNA change in this breed.
It weighs 6 to 25 pounds and stands 12 to 17 inches tall. The lifespan is 13 to 16 years, and the AKC temperament words are loyal, intelligent and vigilant.
Practical note: the breed is listed in the AKC's Miscellaneous class, so research breeders closely.
Pomsky
The Pomsky is a Pomeranian and Husky cross with no written standard, so its odd eyes come from the Husky side. Our data lists brown, blue, hazel and bi-eyed.
Size varies from litter to litter. The data gives 20 to 30 pounds and 10 to 15 inches tall, with a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. The temperament is playful, curious and vocal.
Practical note: ask to see both parents so you know what size to expect.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Cardigans mostly have brown eyes, but the standard lists blue and bi-eyed for blue merle dogs. It is a long-bodied dog on short legs at 25 to 38 pounds, 10.5 to 12.5 inches tall.
The lifespan is 12 to 15 years, and the AKC calls the breed loyal, affectionate and smart.
Practical note: keep the weight down to protect the back.
Catahoula Leopard Dog
The Catahoula Leopard Dog has one of the widest ranges of eye colors on this list: brown, amber, blue, green and bi-eyed. Blue merle and red merle are among its coat colors, and the eyes often match the pattern. Some Catahoulas show a different color in each eye, or two colors in one eye.
It is a large dog at 50 to 95 pounds, 22 to 24 inches tall. The lifespan is 10 to 14 years, and the AKC temperament words are independent, loyal and watchful.
Practical note: this is a strong, independent working dog, so training and socializing early matter.
Collie
The Collie lists dark brown, blue and bi-eyed eyes. Blue and odd eyes go with the blue merle coat, which is one of the breed's standard colors.
The Collie is large at 50 to 75 pounds, 22 to 26 inches tall. It lives 12 to 14 years, and the AKC temperament words are devoted, proud and graceful.
Practical note: the long rough coat needs regular brushing, and merle litters call for hearing tests.
Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland Sheepdog has dark brown eyes in most dogs, with blue and bi-eyed also listed. Blue merle and sable merle are among its colors.
It is a small dog at 15 to 25 pounds, 13 to 16 inches tall, living 12 to 14 years. The AKC temperament words are playful, energetic and bright.
Practical note: Shelties are quick learners and do well in obedience and agility.
Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog lists brown, blue and bi-eyed. Under that shaggy coat, the eyes can be hard to see, so many owners trim the hair around them.
It is a large dog at 60 to 100 pounds, 21 to 25 inches tall. The lifespan is 10 to 12 years, and the AKC temperament words are smart, gentle and adaptable.
Practical note: plan for a lot of grooming time or a regular groomer.
Mudi
The Mudi is a Hungarian herding dog with dark brown, brown, blue and bi-eyed eyes in our data. Merle is one of its colors.
It weighs 18 to 29 pounds and stands 15 to 18.5 inches tall. The lifespan is 12 to 14 years, and the AKC temperament words are loyal, intelligent and active.
Practical note: it is an active, alert herding dog, so give it work to do.
Dalmatian
Dalmatians usually have brown or amber eyes, and blue and bi-eyed are listed too. The coat is white with black or liver spots.
It is a large dog at 45 to 70 pounds, 19 to 24 inches tall. The lifespan is 11 to 13 years, and the AKC temperament words are dignified, outgoing and smart.
Practical note: Dalmatians are known for hearing loss, so ask about hearing tests.
Great Dane
Great Danes come in fawn, brindle, black, blue, harlequin and mantle, and the standard eye colors in our data are dark brown, blue and bi-eyed.
It is a giant breed at 110 to 175 pounds, 28 to 32 inches tall. The lifespan is 7 to 10 years, and the AKC temperament words are friendly, patient and dependable.
Practical note: giant breeds have short lives and big bills, so go in with open eyes.
Dachshund
Dachshunds list dark brown, blue and bi-eyed eyes. Odd eyes are most often tied to the dapple (merle) pattern.
The standard Dachshund weighs 16 to 32 pounds and stands 8 to 9 inches tall. The lifespan is 12 to 16 years, and the AKC temperament words are curious, friendly and spunky.
Practical note: protect that long back with ramps and a healthy weight.
Miniature Dachshund
The Miniature Dachshund has the same eye colors as the standard. It weighs 8 to 11 pounds, stands 5 to 6 inches tall and lives 12 to 16 years. The AKC calls it curious, friendly and spunky.
Practical note: miniature or not, the back needs care.
Beauceron
The Beauceron is the only breed here without a blue eye on its list. Its eye colors are dark brown, hazel and bi-eyed. Its colors in our data are black and tan, black and rust, and harlequin, so odd eyes are tied to the harlequin dogs.
It is a large French herding dog at 70 to 110 pounds, 24 to 27.5 inches tall. The lifespan is 10 to 12 years, and the AKC temperament words are faithful, gentle and obedient.
Practical note: this is a big, confident working dog, and it needs a handler with experience.
Why do dogs have different colored eyes?
Two different eye colors, usually one blue and one brown, is called heterochromia. The 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. You can read the details in the 2018 PLOS Genetics study.
Because merle is linked to deafness, especially when a puppy gets two copies of the gene, do not choose a puppy for its eyes alone. A 2009 study in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine found that 0.9% of dogs with one merle copy were deaf in both ears, against 15% of dogs with two copies. Our guide to dog breeds with merle coats goes deeper.
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. The AKC breed directory lists each standard.
A dog that is born with different colored eyes is usually healthy. If an adult dog's eye changes color suddenly, or looks cloudy or red, see a vet right away.
All 17 breeds with odd eyes at a glance
| Breed | Size | Weight | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaskan Klee Kai | Small | 6–25 lb | 13–16 years |
| Australian Shepherd | Large | 40–65 lb | 12–15 years |
| Beauceron | Large | 70–110 lb | 10–12 years |
| Border Collie | Medium | 30–55 lb | 12–15 years |
| Cardigan Welsh Corgi | Medium | 25–38 lb | 12–15 years |
| Catahoula Leopard Dog | Large | 50–95 lb | 10–14 years |
| Collie | Large | 50–75 lb | 12–14 years |
| Dachshund | Medium | 16–32 lb | 12–16 years |
| Dalmatian | Large | 45–70 lb | 11–13 years |
| Great Dane | Giant | 110–175 lb | 7–10 years |
| Miniature American Shepherd | Medium | 20–40 lb | 12–13 years |
| Miniature Dachshund | Toy | 8–11 lb | 12–16 years |
| Mudi | Medium | 18–29 lb | 12–14 years |
| Old English Sheepdog | Large | 60–100 lb | 10–12 years |
| Pomsky | Medium | 20–30 lb | 12–15 years |
| Shetland Sheepdog | Small | 15–25 lb | 12–14 years |
| Siberian Husky | Medium | 35–60 lb | 12–14 years |
Choosing a dog with different colored eyes
Eye color is a small part of the picture. The 17 breeds here range from the Alaskan Klee Kai at 6 to 25 pounds to the Great Dane at 110 to 175 pounds. Start with size, energy and the health testing the parents had.
To compare two breeds directly, use our dog breed comparison tool. For more traits that are easy to spot, see dog breeds with white-tipped tails.
