Why Do Husky Dogs Have Blue Eyes?

Brown is the most common eye color for dogs, but many Siberian Huskies have striking blue eyes. They can also have brown eyes, one eye that is blue and one that is brown, or blue and brown coloring in both eyes. The color of their eyes is controlled by a rare gene that few dog breeds are believed to have.

Siberian Huskies aren’t the only dogs with blue eyes. Several factors can cause blue eyes in various dog breeds. Usually, though, blue coloring is due to a gene that dilutes the pigmentation of the dog’s coat and eyes. Dogs who have the merle gene, such as Australian shepherds and Weimaraners, may have light blue eyes as a result of a random loss of pigmentation caused by the gene. This loss of pigmentation also leads to a white or light-colored coat on the face. Siberian Huskies are among the only breeds that can have blue eyes completely independent of the merle gene.

Siberian Huskies have a specific gene that causes a loss of pigmentation in the irises but not the coat, which is why Huskies can have dark coats and blue eyes. This gene allows their eyes to range in color from very light blue to very rich blue. This particular gene is rare. While some breeders believe it can cause blue eyes in border collies, too, it is primarily seen in the Siberian Husky breed.

Huskies can have a wide range of eye colors, including blue, brown, hazel and amber. Dogs with one blue and one brown eye are called bi-eyed, while dogs that have blue eyes flecked with brown, or vice versa, are known as parti-eyed or split-eyed. Some Huskies with parti-eyes will look like they have pie-shaped wedges of brown coloring in eyes that are otherwise blue. These mixed color combinations are relatively common. All of these eye colors are accepted by the American Kennel Club.

Husky puppies first open their eyes when they are about 2 weeks old. All Husky puppies’ eyes initially appear to be blue, but there's no guarantee their eyes will still be blue as adults. Their eyes will often change color as late as age 4 weeks or 5 weeks. This shouldn’t be a major concern for dog owners, as no eye color is associated with any particular health problems, and all colors are permissible in the conformation ring.