One of the first things that come to mind when a Husky is mentioned is their stunning blue eyes. It is only one characteristic that distinctly sets them apart from most other breeds of dogs. So, why do Huskies have blue eyes?
Huskies have blue eyes due to a mutation in their genes known as ALX4 on canine chromosome 18. This mutation reduces the pigment in their eye so that it appears blue. Their eyes are not actually blue, but they appear that way because of how the eyes absorb and reflect light. About 40% of Huskies have blue eyes.
Huskies have blue eyes because of their genes. To learn more about this fascinating topic, continue reading the article below.
Why Do Huskies Have Blue Eyes?
Huskies are particularly known for their gorgeous, wolf-like appearance and sharp blue eyes. Since most other dog breeds do not typically have blue eyes, why do Huskies have blue eyes?
With the help of skilled researchers and Husky owners completing surveys and performing DNA tests on their dogs, we now know the answer: It is all in the genes.
It was discovered that Huskies with a mutation near gene ALX4 on canine chromosome 18 most commonly had blue eyes.
This mutation causes the production of pigment to decrease causing the eyes to look blue. They are not actually blue. They only appear to look that way because of how light goes into and comes out of the eyes.
Do All Huskies Have Blue Eyes?
Every Siberian Husky puppy is born with blue eyes, but for some, their eye color will change around 2 months old and up to 6 months.
After 6 months of age, nearly 40 percent of Huskies have piercing blue eyes.
The color blue is not always the same for each dog. The shades can vary quite a bit.
Here are some of the shades of blue that a Husky’s eye color can be:
- Pale, white blue
- Deep blue
- Silver blue
- Seafoam green
- A mix of the above
If you are looking to get a Husky, chances are that your pup will have those beautiful, unforgettable blue eyes!
Will Huskies With Blue Eyes Have Vision Problems?
In most other types and breeds of dogs, blue eyes can mean that the dog either has a hard time seeing or will have hard time seeing in the near future.
This is not the case for Huskies.
Their blue eyes are strictly due to a mutation in a gene. Once their eyes turn blue, they will stay that way forever. If your Husky has brown eyes that turn blue over 6 months of age, it could be a sign of cataracts or other serious condition that is causing its eyes to turn blue.
Fortunately, most Huskies go through life without having problems with their eyes.
Are Huskies the Only Dogs with Blue Eyes?
While some other breeds can also have blue eyes, it is typically directly related to the color of the dogs’ fur, which has to do with the merle gene. This is a recessive trait that the dog inherits from 2 mutated genes.
For Huskies, blue eyes are a dominant trait that has no association with the merle gene at all.
Here are some other types of dogs that have blue eyes:
- Australian Shepherd
- Weimaraner
- German Shepherd
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi
- Great Dane
- Dalmatian
- Dachshund
- Cocker Spaniel
- Border Collie
- Pomsky.
It was found during research that quite a few Australian Shepherds also had a mutation in gene ALX4, but most of the dogs that had the mutation did not have blue eyes.
There are several different breeds you could choose from if you just had to have a dog with blue eyes, but the chance of getting a Husky with blue eyes is much greater than any other breed of dog.
Related Questions
What is the price of a blue-eyed Husky?
A blue-eyed Husky price is not only impacted by the color of a dog’s eyes but also their coat color. My research showed that a Husky with a silver coat and blue eyes is in higher demand.
For this reason, breeders tend to charge a premium.
But remember, the eye color of a Husky can change up to the time when they are 6 months old. Only 40% of Husky puppies born with blue eyes will retain them in adulthood.
Do Alaskan Huskies have blue eyes?
There are different types of Huskies including mixes. The most common breeds are the Alaskan Husky and Siberian Husky.
Do Alaskan Huskies have blue eyes? Alaskan Huskies commonly have brown eyes.
The Siberian Husky blue eyes really stands apart from the different types of Huskies because it is a dominant trait, which is not common for other breeds or types of dogs.
Do Huskies have brown eyes?
Both Alaskan and Siberian Huskies can have brown eyes.
What is a parti eyed Husky?
A parti-eyed Husky has an eye with a mix of both brown and blue in them. Imagine a brown eye with a speck of blue inside or the reverse.
Why do Huskies have different colored eyes?
The term Heterochromia is used for animals and people that have two different eye colors. This condition is when there is too little or too much melanin in the iris.
Since the mutation in the gene ALX4 causes the pigment production to decrease, heterochromia is very common for Siberian Huskies. This could cause a Husky to have one blue and one brown eye or an eye or eyes that are mixed with both blue and brown, which is the rarest type of eye color for Huskies.
Heterochromia is not a condition that should concern you as a Siberian Husky dog owner. After 6 months of age, a Husky’s eyes will have turned to the color that they are going to be for the rest of their lives: whether that is two blue eyes, two brown eyes or a mix of brown and blue
After the 6 month old mark, though, the Husky’s eye color should not change anymore.
If you happen to notice the blue color starting to appear on your Husky’s eyes after 6 months old, then you should take it to the vet as it could be a sign of a health condition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Huskies are known for their gorgeous blue eyes. They are not the only type of dog to have blue eyes, but they are definitely set apart from the rest of the dog breeds.
The blue eye color for Huskies does not indicate that there is an illness that needs to be assessed, unless the blue color starts to spread all over the eye rapidly. Usually, though, Huskies have no problems with their vision.
Want More Reading About Huskies?
Here at Outdoor Dog Fun, we are crazy about Huskies because they are such a great outdoor breed of dog. If you are a Husky dog owner and want some more interested reading, check out our other blog posts on this breed:
- Indoor vs Outdoor: where does a Husky thrive?
- All about Husky eye colors
- This is how big your Husky will get
- Your guide to Huskies and howling
- Like running? Take your Husky with you. Here’s why.
- Huskies and shedding: read our comprehensive guide
- Need some help raising a Husky? Read our guide.
- Are wolves related to Huskies?
- Is your Husky overweight, underweight, or just right?
- Want a companion dog for your Husky but a different breed?
- Bikejoring with your Husky: our guide to outdoor fun
- Huskies and summer heat: what you should know
- Husky vs. Malamute – why are they the same but different?
- Small dogs that look similar to a Husky