Having a border collie as a pet is an absolute pleasure. They’re fun and energetic, making them wonderful companions for the whole family. However, many people wonder whether or not border collies can be naturally born with blue eyes.
Border collies’ eyes can have a beautiful shade of blue on their iris. Despite the fact that all dogs are born with blue eyes, only a small percentage of them will keep their blue eyes past the age of 5 months.
As long as the blue-eyed border collie and the recessive gene carrier are in the same litter, 50% of the puppies will have blue eyes.
This article’s primary focus is on whether or not border collies can have blue eyes. It also discusses whether or not this trait can be passed down through breeding to produce blue eyed border collies.
About Blue Eyed Border Collies
Blue-eyed border collies are distinct from their brown-eyed counterparts in terms of appearance. Unlike other dogs with blue eyes, the color of this dog’s eyes is a very dark blue, much darker than that of other dogs.
Having two copies of the dominant gene that causes brown eyes or being homozygous for the recessive gene that causes blue eyes are the most common causes of blue eyes in dogs.
The recessive blue-eyed gene affects only half of the puppies born to a dog that is homozygous.
While this doesn’t rule out the possibility of blue eyes in a border collie, it does suggest that breeding two dogs with blue eyes increases the likelihood of a blue-eyed offspring.
Because of the dominant gene for brown eyes, 75 percent of a dog’s offspring will have brown eyes. To ensure that all of their offspring have brown eyes, this gene must be present in both parents’ bodies.
Further complicating things is the fact that different breeds and the dominance or recessiveness of different genes can affect the outcome.
As a result, while it is possible for a border collie to be born with blue eyes, it is unlikely or difficult to obtain. A few different colors have been successfully bred with the border collie gene pool, making them famous for their eye color.
Can Border Collies Have Blue Eyes?
Few dogs, as previously stated, are able to keep their naturally blue eyes. They are just like any other dog. Border collies with brown eyes are more likely to produce blue-eyed pups. However, this is a rare occurrence.
Simply keep an eye out for a blue-eyed border collie when you are on the lookout for one. If it’s less than a year old, don’t bother submitting it. Thus, the dog’s blue eyes will remain with him for the rest of his life.
If you’re looking for a little variety in your life or that of your pet’s caretakers, there are many stories of border collies with blue eyes from the past.
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Where Can I Find a Border Collie with Blue Eyes?
A blue-eyed Border Collie can be yours in one of two ways.
• When two collies have the recessive gene for blue eyes, they can be bred together. One copy of the gene is ensured by this method.
• Both parents must be carriers of the recessive gene in order to produce blue eyes border collie puppies. To be considered “homozygous” for the blue eye trait, one parent must pass it down to the next generation.
What About Blue Eyes and DNA Testing?
Blue-eyed puppies can be prevented from interbreeding. Provided they are tested for specific recessive genes before they are born.
Although this is not common practice among professional breeders, it would only be recommended if you are extremely concerned about the outcome of the puppies.
How Do Border Collies Have Blue-Eyes?
How and why does a person end up with blue eyes? In order to make this as clear as possible, I’m going to break it down into a series of simple steps.
This condition is known as Border Collie Heterochromia. Many dog breeds, including border collies, have a hereditary eye condition known as heterochromia. Overall eye color is influenced by how much melanin is present in the iris and how evenly it is distributed.
• Hypochromic is a condition in which the iris lacks pigmentation.
• Iris hyperchromic is characterized by an abundance of melanin.
How much melanin (pigment) is present in the iris ultimately leads to a person’s eye color.
• Blue or light-colored eyes are a sign of a lack of melanin in the body.
• Melanin is present in sufficient or excess amounts in brown or black eyes.
Bi-colored eyes (blue and brown) or particolored eyes can result from an uneven distribution of pigment (blue and brown in the same eye).
What causes heterochromia in border collies?
The condition of Heterochromia is usually passed down through genetics in most cases (congenital heterochromia).
When the pigment in the iris is damaged or destroyed by an inflammatory process or a brain tumor, it is possible to develop Heterochromia.
Heterochromia is also common in dogs that are piebald or carry the merle gene, such as border collies. This does not, however, imply that all collies with blue eyes are merle collies.
Does Border Collie Blue Eyes affect his health?
Blue-eyed beauty owners worry a lot about their dog’s health because of their appearance.
It’s good to know that the short answer is NO. Compared to collies with brown eyes, border collies with blue eyes are not more susceptible to health issues, blindness, or deafness.
The common belief is that blue-eyed collies are more prone to vision and hearing issues. This is not the case at all.
Heterochromia has never been linked to poor vision in decades of research and testing. It does not, however, increase the likelihood of eye problems that may or may not occur in the first place.
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Understanding Merles and Double Merles Genes
The merle gene and double-merles are frequently linked to health issues, deafness, and blue eyes.
Having one copy of the merle gene does not make border collies more prone to health problems, vision issues, or hearing loss than any other border collie.
Two copies of the merle gene almost guarantee deafness from birth (at the very least), as well as a host of other health problems and eye conditions, such as cataracts and blindness.
Because of this, breeding two merle dogs together is discouraged because a double merle is more likely to result.
Are Blue-Eyed Border Collie Puppies the norm?
All puppies are born with blue eyes, according to new research. Because it can take a long time for the pigment to develop enough to give them their future eye color, this is the reason why this happens.
All puppies, regardless of whether they have heterochromia or a merle gene, have blue eyes at birth. It’s not a given that the breeder will keep the blue eyes on your adorable border collie puppy.
How can I get a confirmation number for my Border Collie?
For a definitive answer as to whether or not your dog is genetically predisposed to blue eyes, a DNA test for the gene encoding blue eyes will have to be performed.
If you have two copies of the gene, you’ll be born with one copy. A blue-eyed dog can still be yours even if you only have one or two copies.
Once you know your dog’s genotype, you can use it to breed him or her to other dogs with one copy of the gene. When a puppy is born, the breeder will know for sure if it has blue eyes or not.
Collie Eye Anomaly Overview
It is unfortunate that collies and herding breeds are more prone to Collie Eye Anomaly CEA (it’s named after them!). Congenital genetic disorder can affect a collie’s ability to see. Most dogs won’t go blind from it, despite the fact that it’s possible.
When the choroid, a group of blood vessels beneath the retina, does not form properly, CEA occurs. As a result, the eye’s sensitivity to light is altered. As a result, they will be unable to see clearly.
The best way to avoid or at least address this problem is to have your dog’s eye examined at least once a year (5-8 weeks). Fortunately, an eye exam can detect this problem early on if it is present. A collie’s age makes it harder to spot a rogue.
CEA does not necessarily occur more frequently in blue-eyed collies or merles, but the diagnosis of this condition in merles can be more difficult.
CEA has no cure, but in most cases, it does not progress to the point where total vision loss occurs. Surgery may be an option in some cases in order to alleviate the symptoms of this condition.
Because this is a genetic defect, the only way to avoid it in the future is to avoid breeding collies that carry the defective gene.
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What is the price of a border collie with blue eyes?
If you’re considering purchasing a Border Collie with blue eyes, you should expect to pay a premium.
A blue-eyed Border collie puppy will set you back between $1500 and $5000.
Breeder, location, pup’s ancestry, and any other factors that set them apart from the rest of their litter can all affect the price.
Due to their rarity, they typically cost more than the average Border collie.
Border Collie In Black And White With Blue Eyes
Border Collies with blue eyes and a black and white coat are extremely rare.
If you want a black and white Border Collie with blue eyes, you may have to consider breeding two blue-eyed pups together, but this can be expensive as well.
When I get my border collie, what color will his eyes be?
The color of a dog’s eyes is determined by a variety of genes. A Border Collie’s eyes aren’t as easy to predict as one might think.
Iris rings are a good indicator of which color your dog will end up with, because they contain the most blue or brown pigment.
The majority of Blue-eyed dogs are Merle coat dogs, but that doesn’t mean a black and white border collie can’t have blue eyes.
When does the color of a border collie’s eyes change?
When a Border Collie puppy is born, their eyes are usually blue, but they will gradually change to their permanent color.
Blue eyes will begin to darken around 3-4 weeks of age, and the final color should be achieved by the time they reach 9 weeks.
Brown eyes, on the other hand, don’t change nearly as much; even at 8 or 9 months, they can still appear somewhat “milky.”
Which Puppies Do I Have to Expect If I Get a Border Collie With Blue Eyes?
A border collie with blue eyes will almost certainly have blue-eyed puppies. It is possible that the pups will have blue eyes only if the gene for that coloration is present in both parents.
As a result, you might see blue-eyed puppies with brown eyes if the mutation runs in just one parent’s ancestry. If the dog has the correct eye color and is homozygous for it, you can be sure to get pure blue or blue/brown-eyed puppies if you breed the dog again.
Tortie refers to a dog that has one blue and one brown eye. If both parents are heterozygous for the recessive gene, you can have a blue-eyed or red-eyed child.
What are Border Collies’ Different Eye colors?
Brown and hazel eyes are the most common in Border Collies. The majority of Border Collies are a mix of the two.
As far as eye color is concerned, border collies can come in a variety of hues, including black, brown, and yellow.
However, having one blue eye and one brown or hazel eye in a Border Collie is extremely uncommon. This is why border collies with mixed blue eyes are more expensive compared to other border collies.
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The Blue Eyes of a Border Collie Pup
This recessive trait means that border collies’ blue eyes are likely to remain blue at least for a portion of their lives. A change in color is possible, but it is extremely rare. Even so, the puppy’s eye color will almost certainly be the same as its parents’.
What Are the Origins of Border Collies?
If you’re looking for an explanation for the Border Collie’s unusual eye color, you should look no further than its British heritage.
The origin of Border Collies’ blue eyes is a mystery to scientists. And the theory that they were bred with huskies has been disproven time and time again.
Breeders of Border Collies focused on improving the breed’s ability to herd sheep.
Mismatched Collies were praised by many shepherds. This is because they believed that one color could see nearby sheep while the other could see sheep further away.
Scientists today have disproved these assumptions. But it’s possible that shepherds in the past bred blue-eyed border collies in order to produce puppies with blue eyes.
This is the most likely explanation for why so many dogs in the breed have blue eyes.
A Border Collie Isn’t Just for its Blue Eyes
Merle-coated Border Collie with blue eyes may be tempting to buy for its looks alone.
However, this is strongly discouraged due to the Merle-coated Collies’ potential for disease and the breed’s general characteristics, which include:
Dogs of the Border Collies breed are known for their good relation and dedication to their owners. This means that they require constant mental and physical stimulation in order to maintain their happiness.
They don’t do well as lap dogs or being cooped up all day.
However, Border Collies can be a lot of fun, but they also have a lot of stamina. Every day, they must be taken out for physical activity, and this does not just mean walks. A Border Collie’s well-being depends on a variety of activities, including games and herding.
The Border Collie is a highly intelligent dog that will challenge your authority if you don’t properly train it. As a result, they’re rarely suggested as a first dog.
It is not uncommon for Border Collies to act irrationally when it comes to herding vehicles, people, or even other dogs. In particular, they should be kept an eye on near a road.
Taking Care of a Blue Eyed Border Collie
Border collies with blue eyes require the same level of care as any other dog in your home. But you might want to keep an eye on their coat color so you don’t lose track of which end is which when brushing them.
Don’t Forget to Feed your Border Collies
Nutrition can also affect the color of one’s eyes, as you may be aware. Over time, the color of your dog’s eyes may darken or lighten depending on what you feed him.
Experts in canine nutrition may advise feeding your dog a low-fat diet and supplementing it with a source of omega-3 fatty acids like flaxseed oil. This will brighten and maintain his beautiful blue eyes!
It is important to know the exact age at which the eyes of your Border Collie will be fully developed.
Between the ages of six and 18 weeks of age, border collies’ eyes will be fully developed. For the first three to six months, their eyes will look like those of a newborn puppy and will not take on their characteristic shape.
Why Does my Border Collie Only Have One Blue Eye?
It is possible to pass down a recessive trait known as heterochromia, which is characterized by two different eye colors. One in 10,000 dogs are affected by this condition.
Both blue and brown eye genes can coexist in a child, which is why it’s possible to have a child with blue eyes from both parents. As a genetic term for this, we use “heterozygous.”
I have a blue-eyed Border Collie. Does that affect his vision?
Having blue eyes does not affect the vision of border collies. So you don’t have to worry about this at this point. Even so, if you’re worried, you can always take your puppy to the vet for a full physical exam, including an eye exam, to be sure.
Do Blue-Eyed Dogs Pass On Any Diseases to Their Offspring?
Dogs with blue eyes do not appear to be carriers of any diseases. No matter what your border collie’s eye color is, you can count on your border collie to be healthy.
Do Border Collie’s Blue Eyes Affect Their Behavior?
Border collies, regardless of their blue eyes or striking facial features, are still border collies in spirit and personality. This does not mean that they will behave any differently or be any less receptive to being trained.
When it comes to preserving this gene for future generations, breeders of the American Border Collie Association have taken the necessary steps.
Do Blue-Eyed Dogs Have Deafness?
Like other breeds of dogs, blue-eyed border collies are more prone to hearing loss than other dogs.
Even though the gene for blue eyes can be passed down, there are other types of genetic deafness. These types of deafness would not be passed down through the blue-eyes gene.
Do Border Collies with Blue Eyes Require Less Vaccination?
All dogs, regardless of their eye color, require the same amount of vaccinations. Dogs need to be vaccinated and dewormed on a regular basis to ensure their health and well-being.
Dogs with blue eyes can be found in what other breeds?
After the border collie and Australian shepherd, the German shepherd and German husky are the most common breeds with blue eyes. Others with blue eyes include the following breeds:
• Great Dane
• The English springer spaniel
• Australian shepherds
• Alaskan Klee Kai
• Portuguese water dog
• Dachshunds
• Shetland sheepdog
• Dalmatian
• Siberian Husky
• Cardigan Welsh Corgi
• Catahoula Leopard Dog
• Weimaraner
• The greyhound
• Pit Bull
The American and European Cocker Spaniel is another breed that has the potential to be born with blue eyes. Some non-dog breeds can also have blue eyes, despite the fact that they are extremely rare.
Final Thoughts
Dogs with blue eyes are not only striking, but they also make excellent pets to flaunt around the neighborhood or at dog shows. If you do get a blue eyed border collie, the female in question could one day become an all-blue breeder.
I’m glad you found it interesting. Thank you for taking the time to read this! Share your thoughts by commenting down below!
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