Two of a Kind: How Heterochromia Makes Your Dog Unique

Australian Shepherd

Have you ever come across a dog with two different eye colors? It’s quite fascinating, isn’t it? One eye could be blue while the other is brown, green, or even amber. This unique condition is called heterochromia, and it occurs when the eyes have varying amounts of melanin, a pigment responsible for giving color to the eyes, skin, and hair of both animals and humans.

Siberian Husky with Two Different Eyes
Siberian Husky with Two Different Eyes

How Common is Heterochromia in Dogs?

There isn’t much information available on the prevalence of heterochromia in dogs. It is more likely to happen in breeds that carry a gene responsible for the distribution of melanin in the eyes. Siberian Huskies, Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, and Dalmatians are some of these breeds. Dogs with dappled, merle, or white coloring around their heads are also more prone to heterochromia.

What Genes are Responsible for Heterochromia in Dogs?

Siberian Husky Puppy with Heterochromia

Hereditary heterochromia is caused by genes often the same genes that determine coat color.

Scientists have identified 15 genes that play roles in canine coat color phenotypes, and two of them produce heterochromia.

These genes, known as Merle and Piebald, have a direct effect on how much melanin is in a dog’s eyes. Different colored eyes can be the result.

Who knew that our furry friends could have such unique and interesting genetic traits?

Is it Inherited or Acquired Heterochromia?

To determine if your dog has inherited or acquired heterochromia, it all starts when they are a puppy with blue or blue-grey eyes.

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As they mature, their eye color changes, and that’s when you’ll start noticing heterochromia. You might see one eye is blue while the other one is a different and unique color like green, brown, or amber. 

On the other hand, if your dog’s eye color changes later in life, they have acquired heterochromia. Acquired heterochromia is not normal and is often the result of an eye injury or disease.

This can negatively impact your dog’s eyesight and health and may require veterinary treatment. If you notice any changes in your dog’s eye color, it’s best to take them to the vet for a check-up.

Merle Sheltie and Papillion with Owner

Can two dogs with different eye colors produce puppies with heterochromia?

If both dog parents have heterochromia or carry the genes for it, they can pass it on to their puppies. However, it’s not certain that all their puppies will have heterochromia. There are other factors like as gene expression, dominance, and recombination. The chance of heterochromia also varies on the breed and coat color of the parents and the puppies.

What does heterochromia mean for for health of my dog?

Siberian Husky with Heterochromia

The easiest way to tell if your dog has inherited or acquired heterochromia is to look at their eye color when they were a puppy.

All dogs are born with blue or blue-grey eyes, but the color changes as they mature and heterochromia will be noticeable. The good news is that it usually doesn’t cause any health problems.

However, studies show that light-colored eyes can put your best friend at risk for certain eye cancers.

This is because there is less melanin to block out UV radiation. That’s why it’s important to protect your pup’s eyes from the sun and keep an eye out for any signs of trouble. 

But, if you notice that your dog’s eye color has changed over time, it could be a result of an eye injury or a disease like glaucoma, cataracts, or uveitis. This can affect your dog’s vision and health, and it may require veterinary treatment.

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So, if you see any changes in your dog’s eye color, it’s best to take them to the vet as soon as possible. Remember, your pup’s vision is just as important as yours!

Conclusion

Most of the time, heterochromia is harmless and does not affect the dog’s vision or health. It is just a cosmetic difference that makes your dog unique and beautiful.

If your dog is blessed with heterochromia, you have every reason to feel proud of their uniqueness. Heterochromia is a beautiful feature that adds to their charm and individuality. Your dog is truly one of a kind.

Border Collie with Heterochromia
Border Collie with Heterochromia
Home Health and Wellness Two of a Kind: How Heterochromia Makes Your Dog Unique

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