You’ve seen them on Instagram. Those striking, ice-cold gazes that look almost otherworldly against a velvet-grey or white coat. A pitbull with blue eyes is a total head-turner, no doubt about it. But if you’re looking to bring one home, or if your puppy’s eyes are suddenly shifting from sapphire to amber, there is a lot of misinformation to wade through. It isn’t just about "cool" aesthetics. It’s actually about genetics, light refraction, and sometimes, a few health red flags that breeders don’t always mention.
Puppies are almost all born with blue eyes. It's a bit of a biological trick. Since melanin—the pigment that gives eyes their permanent color—hasn't developed yet, what you’re actually seeing is the way light scatters in the stroma of the iris. It’s called Tyndall scattering. Basically, the eye looks blue for the same reason the sky looks blue. If your pitbull puppy is six weeks old and has bright blue peepers, don't get too attached to the shade just yet. Most of the time, that color will deepen into brown or hazel by the time they hit four months.
The genetics behind a permanent pitbull with blue eyes
When a pitbull keeps those blue eyes into adulthood, it isn't random luck. It’s usually tied to specific coat patterns, primarily the Merle gene or significant white spotting. The Merle gene is controversial in the American Pit Bull Terrier world. It dilutes random parts of the coat and eyes, which creates that mottled look and often results in one or both eyes staying blue.
Honestly, some kennel clubs, like the United Kennel Club (UKC), don't even recognize Merle as a "pure" trait in pitbulls. They argue it was introduced by outcrossing with breeds like Catahoulas or Great Danes somewhere down the line. If you’re buying a "rare" blue-eyed Merle pitbull for a premium price, you’re often paying for a genetic trait that purists consider a fault. It's kinda wild how "faults" in the show ring become "high-end features" in the backyard breeder market.
👉 See also: The Gospel of Matthew: What Most People Get Wrong About the First Book of the New Testament
Then there’s the ALX4 gene. Researchers found a duplication on canine chromosome 18 that is heavily linked to blue eyes, particularly in Huskies, but it shows up in some bully breeds too. This is different from the Merle gene. It's just a quirk of DNA that allows the blue to persist without affecting the coat color.
- Piebaldism: This is when a dog has large patches of white. If the white fur reaches the face and surrounds the eye area, the lack of pigment in the skin often extends to the iris.
- Albinism: Extremely rare and usually accompanied by pinkish skin around the eyes. This is not the same as a white dog with blue eyes. True albinos lack pigment entirely and usually face significant health hurdles.
- Heterochromia: You’ve definitely seen this—one blue eye and one brown eye. It’s common in dogs with the Merle gene and is generally harmless, though it looks startling.
Health risks that actually matter
We need to talk about the "Double Merle" issue. This isn't just vet-talk; it's something every owner should know. When two dogs carrying the Merle gene are bred together, there is a 25% chance the puppies will be "Double Merles." These dogs are almost always white and frequently have blue eyes. They also have a massive risk of being deaf or blind.
The pigment cells (melanocytes) in a dog's inner ear are vital for hearing. If a dog’s genetics wipe out all pigment—which is why they have that white coat and blue eyes—those ear cells often fail to develop. It’s a tragedy that’s entirely preventable with responsible breeding. Always ask a breeder if they've done BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) testing on a pitbull with blue eyes before you sign any papers.
✨ Don't miss: God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise: The True Story Behind the Phrase Most People Get Wrong
Sun sensitivity is another thing. Melanin protects the eyes from UV rays. Without it, blue-eyed dogs are more prone to light sensitivity (photophobia). You might notice them squinting more on bright July afternoons. In some cases, prolonged exposure can lead to iris atrophy over many years, though that’s less common than simple squinting.
Is it a "Real" Pitbull?
The term "Pitbull" is basically an umbrella now. Are we talking about the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), the American Bully, or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?
In the American Bully world, blue eyes are much more common and accepted. These dogs are bred more for "look" and companionship than the traditional working standards of the APBT. If you see a bulky, wide-chested dog with a blue coat and blue eyes, it’s likely an American Bully. Most "Old Family Red Nose" pitbull lines will almost never have blue eyes; they usually have amber or copper eyes that match their liver-colored noses.
🔗 Read more: Kiko Japanese Restaurant Plantation: Why This Local Spot Still Wins the Sushi Game
What to do if you own one
If you’ve already got a blue-eyed beauty, your job is mostly about protection. Watch for redness. If the eye looks cloudy or if the dog is pawing at its face, it’s not just a "blue eye thing"—it could be uveitis or glaucoma. Blue eyes don't cause these issues, but they can sometimes make the symptoms harder to spot against the light iris.
- Check their hearing. Use a high-pitched whistle or clap while they’re looking away. If they don't twitch an ear, get a professional BAER test.
- Provide shade. If you’re hiking in high altitudes or spending a day at the beach, make sure your dog has a place to retreat from the glare.
- Skip the "Rare" hype. Don't treat your dog like a collector's item. At the end of the day, they are high-energy, affectionate, and sometimes stubborn terriers who need exercise more than they need compliments on their eye color.
A pitbull with blue eyes is a unique companion, but that color is just the icing. The "cake" is a dog that requires consistent training, social interaction, and a lot of chew toys. Whether those eyes stay blue or turn a muddy brown, the loyalty of the breed remains the same. Focus on the health of the dog rather than the rarity of the pigment.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your puppy's eyes under natural sunlight once a week to track color changes. If the blue remains vibrant past 16 weeks, it’s likely permanent. Schedule a vet visit specifically to check for "night blindness" or light sensitivity if you notice your dog bumping into furniture in low light, as pigment-related vision issues can sometimes manifest early. Finally, if you are buying a puppy, demand to see the genetic test results for the parents to ensure you aren't bringing home a Double Merle dog with potential hearing loss.