Can Poodles Have Blue Eyes? (And If Healthy)
There’s no doubt about Poodles being little bundles of joy to have. These lovely beings have a larger-than-life personality, something that has made them a favorite for many.
And as one of the most lovely breeds, it’s normal to want to know more about these furbabies, ranging from information on their personality, traits, and origin. It’s normal to be mesmerized by their lovely looks too, right?
And while we know Poodles can have different color eyes, have you ever wondered if they could have blue eyes? Well, continue reading to find out…
While it’s possible for Poodles to have blue eyes, the American Kennel Club (AKC) and United Kennel Club (UKC) both recognize dark brown as the standard eye color of a poodle. Blue eyes in adult dogs can be caused by genetics or underlying health concern.
Blue eyes are an absolute beauty to behold, even in Poodles. However, unlike in other Blue-eyed dogs like Siberian Huskies and Australian Shepherd, blue eyes in your Poodle ought to be considered as a serious sign of illness or conditions.
Blue Eyes In Poodles- Everything You Should Know
There are a thousand and one reasons as to why we all love Poodles. They’re lively, lovely and love to see you smile. But just like all other breeds out there, they have certain traits that make them who they are.
And as much as we adore them for their beauty and silliness, it’s always great to know why exactly your Poodle has those blue eyes and why they should be a cause of concern rather than a reason to rejoice!
Causes of Blue Eyes
If you just noticed that your Poodle has blue eyes, the first question to pop up in your mind will be – “is okay for Poodles to have blue eyes?” Well, let’s find out!
In Poodles, blue eyes can be a sign of the following health conditions;
- The Merle Gene
- Heterochromia
- Eye Disease
The Merle Gene
When a Poodle has blue eyes, especially if he’s still young enough for his colors to not have fully developed, the color of his eyes can be caused by the Merle gene.
In most breeds including Poodles, dogs with two merle genes will likely have blue-colored eyes or even beautiful markings on their coats. However, there are two merle genes that can cause this splotched appearance and one of them is not always associated with eye color.
One thing to note here is that purebred Poodles don’t can’t have the merle gene. Therefore, getting a poodle with the physical features associated with the merle gene requires introducing it from outside of its breed.
Of course, that makes for a deal-breaker, especially if you are looking for a purebred Poodle. However, if you just want a beautiful and fancy Poodle to serve as a family pet, then you may find it almost impossible to resist the temptation of buying a blue-eyed Poodle puppy.
However, before you ignore this gene and shell out some decent amount for the beautiful blue-eyed puppy, beware of the potential downsides associated with the merle gene.
According to scientists, dogs with the merle gene are more susceptible to vision issues like cataracts (cloudy lens) and retinitis pigmentosa (a genetic disease that causes progressive vision loss). Puppies with blue eyes can also develop deafness.
However, it’s still possible to have a puppy with blue eyes who doesn’t have the double merle gene. For such puppies, there’s a chance they may not develop eye problems or deafness later in life.
However, before you make any conclusions, be sure that your puppy isn’t from a double merle gene, or even if merle that you won’t breed them with another merle dog.
Heterochromia:
Another cause of blue eyes in puppies is heterochromia iridium or commonly known as different-colored eyes. Heterochromia is generally a genetic problem, which means it can remain with your dog even after he grows up.
Some dogs with heterochromia have two different colored eyes while some only have one. But when it comes to Poodles, this usually results in a blue eye and a brown eye.
While heterochromia isn’t an illness or a disorder in and of itself, it can be a symptom of some underlying condition such as Horner’s syndrome (a problem affecting the nerves involved in eyebrow movement) and pigmentary glaucoma (buildup of pigments in the fluid within the eye).
Also, Heterochromia can be caused by the merle gene. Pets who have heterochromia themselves are more likely to produce merle Poodle puppies, which as we’ve earlier seen, can also have blue eyes.
There are a few breeds with mostly two-colored eyes and some of them include; Boston Terriers, Scottish Terrier (although they’re usually brown), Beagles, Australian Shepherds, and Siberian Huskies.
If heterochromia is the cause for blue eyes in your Poodle, there’s nothing to worry about and you won’t have to take any special precautions.
Eye Disease:
The last potential reason as to why your Poodle has blue eyes is also the most common one. Poodles can also have blue eyes if they are suffering from an eye disease or an infection.
If your Poodle suddenly develops blue eyes, then it may be a sign of eye problems like the following;
- Cataracts; clouding of the eye lens which allows less light to reach the retina causing a decrease in the dog’s vision. It is caused by a buildup of proteins that clump together to form an opaque film in the eye’s lens or cornea. Usually, cataract is hereditary and develops in older dogs with age.
- Retinitis pigmentosa; it’s a genetic disorder that causes dog blindness over time by progressively destroying its retina and causing damage to the optic nerve responsible for carrying visual information to the brain.
- Glaucoma; buildup of fluid within the eye can cause pressure against tissues causing damage to eye tissues and nerve cells. The excess pressure also interferes with blood circulation, which results in increased intraocular pressure (IOP).
If you aren’t sure of the actual cause or if you suspect that your dog might have one of these diseases, it’s advisable to take him to a vet for proper diagnosis.
Eye problems in dogs are often associated with other health issues such as heart disease and immune system disorders so it is important to treat your Poodle on time.
Breed Standards For Poodles
blue eyes in a Poodle are a disqualifying fault, which means this color is not welcomed by Poodle breeders and handlers.
But other than just knowing the color of their eyes, it’s imperative you know the standard your Poodle must meet, particularly the coat colors!
Standards For The Coat
The American Kennel Club (AKC) allows for a wide variety of colors for Poodles, which is also the reason why they have such a great variety of colors in their coats.
The AKC standard states that Poodles are to be;
- Black
- White
- Silver
- Blue
- Gray
- Cream
- Apricot
No matter the color you choose, ensure that it’s solid and even. Also, for all coats, dark eyes are the standard. Although Apricot poodles, amber eyes are still permitted though not desirable.
Examples of Blue-Eyed Dogs
As aforementioned, blue eyes in Poodles may be an indication that the dog isn’t purebred. That may be enough to put you off, especially if you aren’t ready to settle for a canine that’s not purebred.
However, it’s still possible to get a perfectly healthy Poodle that has blue eyes. Among the breeds with blue-eyed dogs are;
- Siberian Huskies
- English setter
- Weimaraner
- Dalmatian
- Dachshunds
- Great Danes
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi
- Bull Terrier
- Labrador Retrievers
- Golden Retrievers
- German Shepherds
- Border Collie
- Australian Shepherd
One thing to note is that some of the above dog breeds can still come with other eye colors. However, blue eyes in this dog aren’t considered a fault.
Final Verdict:
Yes, Poodles can have blue eyes. In fact, it’s very common for them to have blue eyes! It could be a genetic or hereditary condition, or it may be an eye disease. However, you should seek to know the reason why your Poodle has blue eyes to ensure that it’s not suffering from any eye problem.
Keep in mind that though Blue eyes are beautiful and adorable, they usually aren’t the Poodle’s breed standard and are often considered a disqualifying fault where they happen in litters.
