You’ve probably seen a thousand dogs today—on your walk, in your feed, or sleeping on your rug. Most of them have those deep, soulful brown eyes. Some, like Huskies, have that piercing "White Walker" blue. But green? That’s different. Finding a dog with truly green eyes feels like spotting a glitch in the matrix or a rare Pokémon. It just doesn't seem like it should be real, yet it is.
So, can dogs have green eyes? Yeah, they can. But honestly, it’s a lot more complicated than just a roll of the genetic dice. It isn’t just a "pretty" trait; it's a specific biological anomaly involving pigment levels and light scattering.
Most people mistake amber or light hazel eyes for green. True green is incredibly rare in the canine world. Unlike humans, where green eyes are relatively common in certain populations, dogs rarely carry the specific genetic combination to make it happen without some other "messy" genetic traits tagging along.
The Science of Why Green Eyes Are So Rare
To understand why your neighbor's Pitbull might have those olive peepers, we have to talk about melanocytes. These are the cells that produce melanin. In dogs, there are two main types of pigment: eumelanin (black/brown) and phaeomelanin (red/yellow). The color of a dog's eyes is determined by how much eumelanin is sitting in the iris.
Lots of eumelanin? You get brown eyes.
A little less? You get amber.
Almost none? That’s where things get weird.
Green isn't actually a "green" pigment. There is no green chemical in a dog's eye. It’s actually a combination of a very small amount of brown pigment and something called Tyndall scattering. This is the same reason the sky looks blue. Light hits the eye, bounces off the remaining pigment, and reflects back as green. It’s an optical illusion backed by biology.
The Merle Gene Factor
The most common way a dog ends up with green eyes is through the Merle gene. You've seen these dogs—they have coats with patches of mottled colors. Think Australian Shepherds or Great Danes. The Merle gene dilutes the pigment in the coat and the eyes.
It’s a bit of a genetic gamble. When the gene dilutes the brown pigment just enough, but not all the way to blue, you get green. However, there's a catch. If a dog inherits two copies of the Merle gene (Double Merle), they often face serious health issues like deafness or blindness. This is why responsible breeders are so obsessive about genetic testing. They aren't just trying to produce "cool" colors; they're trying to avoid a lifetime of medical bills and suffering for the pup.
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Which Breeds Actually Carry the Green Eye Trait?
You won't find green eyes in a Golden Retriever. It’s just not in their blueprints. But a few specific breeds are "hotspots" for this trait.
American Pit Bull Terriers are arguably the most famous for this. You’ll see "Blue" Pitbulls with stunning green or hazel eyes. It’s part of their breed's unique genetic makeup where dilution genes are more prevalent.
Then there’s the Weimaraner. People call them the "Gray Ghost." Their eyes are almost never dark brown. They start out as a striking blue when they’re puppies and usually transition into a pale amber or a distinct "gooseberry" green as they hit adulthood. It’s eerie and beautiful at the same time.
- Border Collies: Often linked to the Merle gene.
- Australian Shepherds: Again, the Merle factor at play.
- Dachshunds: Specifically the "Dapple" variety, which is just another name for Merle.
- English Springer Spaniels: Occasionally seen with a darker, forest-green hue.
Why Do Puppy Eyes Change Color?
If you just bought a puppy and it has green eyes, don’t get your heart set on them staying that way. Almost all puppies are born with blue or bluish-gray eyes. This is because their bodies haven't started pumping out melanin yet.
Around the 6-to-10-week mark, the "true" color starts to settle in. It’s like a slow-motion Polaroid picture. If the dog is destined to have brown eyes, you’ll see the green fade into amber and then darken into chocolate. If they stay green past the 16-week mark, you might have actually hit the genetic lottery.
Health Concerns Associated with Rare Eye Colors
We have to be real here: sometimes a "cool" eye color is a red flag. If a dog’s eyes change color suddenly in adulthood, that’s not genetics. That’s a medical emergency.
Conditions like Uveitis (inflammation of the eye) can make an eye look cloudy or greenish. Glaucoma can also cause a bluish-green haze over the cornea due to increased pressure. If you notice your dog squinting, pawing at their eye, or if the "green" looks like it's on the eye rather than in it, get to a vet. Dr. Marty Becker, a well-known veterinarian, often emphasizes that any change in eye clarity is a "see the vet today" situation.
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Also, there’s a link between light-colored eyes and light sensitivity. Dogs with green or blue eyes lack the "sunscreen" (melanin) that brown-eyed dogs have. They might squint more in bright sunlight or be more prone to sun-related eye damage over time.
The "Green Eye" Misconception: Amber and Hazel
Most people who think they’ve seen a dog with green eyes are actually looking at Amber eyes. Amber eyes are common in breeds like the Chesapeake Bay Retriever or the Rhodesian Ridgeback. They have a yellowish, honey-like glow. In certain lighting—like under a forest canopy or during "golden hour"—these eyes can look distinctly green.
Hazel is another one. Hazel eyes in dogs are a mix of brown and green. They’re gorgeous, but genetically, they’re just a variation of the dilution process. If you’re looking to buy a dog specifically for green eyes, you’re probably going to end up disappointed because the trait is so recessive and unstable.
Can Dogs Have Green Eyes Without Being Merle?
Yes, but it’s like finding a needle in a haystack. It usually happens in breeds that carry the Liver (chocolate) gene. The Liver gene suppresses black pigment. Since black pigment (eumelanin) is what makes eyes dark brown, dogs with liver-colored coats often have lighter eyes. Sometimes, that light color hits that perfect Tyndall scattering sweet spot and appears green.
It’s all about the "B" and "D" loci in canine genetics. The "B" locus handles brown pigment, and the "D" locus handles dilution. When these interact in a very specific, rare way, you get the "green" effect without the dappled coat of a Merle.
Actionable Steps for Dog Owners
If you’re obsessed with the idea of a green-eyed dog, or if you already own one, here is what you actually need to do to be a responsible pet parent.
1. Check the Breeding Papers
If you’re getting a "Green Eyed" puppy from a breeder, ask for a BAER test (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response). This checks their hearing. Since the genes for light eyes are often linked to coat patterns that can cause deafness, you want to know what you’re getting into before you bring the pup home.
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2. Invest in "Doggles"
It sounds silly, but if your dog has pale green eyes and spends all day hiking with you in the sun, they are at a higher risk for UV damage. Quality canine sunglasses can prevent chronic irritation and long-term issues like pannus (an immune-mediated eye condition).
3. Monitor for Changes
Take a high-resolution photo of your dog's eyes in natural light once a year. This gives you a baseline. If you think their eyes are looking "greener" or "cloudier" later in life, you can compare the photos. Any new spots, growths, or a "filmy" appearance should be checked by a veterinary ophthalmologist.
4. Don't Pay the "Rare Color" Tax
Be wary of breeders who charge $2,000 extra for a dog just because it has green eyes. "Rare" in the dog world often translates to "non-standard" or "genetically risky." A good breeder focuses on temperament and health clearances (like OFA hips and elbows) rather than eye color.
Final Thoughts on Canine Eye Color
The reality is that can dogs have green eyes is a question that leads down a rabbit hole of pigment science and genetic luck. It’s a beautiful quirk of nature. Whether it’s the result of the Merle gene or a specific dilution of liver pigment, a green-eyed dog is a rare sight.
Just remember that the color of the eyes doesn't change the dog. A brown-eyed dog will love you just as much as a green-eyed one. But if you do happen to have one of these rare emerald-eyed beauties, just make sure you're protecting their vision and keeping an eye on those genetics.
Next time you see a dog with "green" eyes at the park, look closer. You might be seeing a genetic masterpiece, or just a very lucky trick of the light. Either way, it’s one of those little things that makes the canine world so endlessly interesting. If you're looking to adopt, check your local shelters for "Liver" or "Isabella" coated dogs—they're the most likely candidates to have those stunning, rare hues without the high price tag of a boutique breeder.