The word heterochromia is a neologism of Greek, formed by the words hetero, khroma and the suffix -ía which would come to mean " difference in the coloration of the iris, complexion or hair". It is also considered a "genetic defect" and is common in dogs, cats, horses, and even humans.
Do you want to know dog breeds with two colored eyes? Discover below on our site some breeds of dogs with different colored eyes. You might be surprised…
Can dogs have different colored eyes?
Heterochromia is a condition that can be expressed by all species and is defined by the genetic inheritance. Depending on the coloration and the amount of melanocytes in the iris (protective cells of melanin) we will be able to appreciate one color or another.
There are two types of heterochromia and two causes that the cause:
- Iridium or complete heterochromia: one eye of each color is observed.
- Iris or partial heterochromia: different shades are observed in a single iris.
- Congenital heterochromia: heterochromia is of genetic origin.
- Acquired heterochromia: it can be caused by trauma or by some disease, such as glaucoma or uveitis.
As a curiosity we can add that complete heterochromia is not common in people, but it is in dogs and cats, for example. In addition, it is essential to highlight that this condition does not alter the vision of the animal.
Dog breeds with complete heterochromia
Eyes of different colors are common. We can observe them in various breeds of dogs, some examples are:
- Siberian Husky
- Australian Shepherd
- Catahoula cur
It is important to note that in the case of the husky, the AKC (American Kennel Club) standard and the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) standard accept one brown and one blue eye, as well as partial heterochromia in one of the irises, just like the catahoula leopard dog.
The Australian Shepherd, on the other hand, shows them totally brown, blue or amber, but also a variation or combination of them.
Dogs with one blue eye and one brown eye
The Merle gene is responsible for the blue color of the iris and the "butterfly" pigmentation of the nose in dogs. This gene also causes partial heterochromia, for example, showing a brown eye, a blue eye and, within the blue eye, brown pigmentation.
The Australian Shepherd or Border Collie may have the Merle gene, but the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an example. Albinism and white spots around the eyes are also caused by these genes. Each dog is special and whatever its characteristics, including heterochromia, make its features distinctive and unique
Dog breeds with partial heterochromia
In heterochromia iridis or partial, the dog shows a multicolored eye, that is, we can see several shades in the same iris. It is common in dogs with the Merle gene, some of them are:
- Catahoula cur
- Great Dane
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Border Collie
- Australian Cattle Dog
This is the result obtained when eumelanin is diluted or modified by recessive D- or B-series genes and can result in yellow-green or yellow-gray shades.
The Merle gene dilutes random pigments in the eyes and nose, and blue eyes may result from loss of pigment in the layer. Important to note from this list is that the Siberian Husky is a non-merle breed that can also display partial heterochromia.
Legends about heterochromia
There are different legends about dogs with different colored eyes. According to Native American tradition, dogs with one eye of each color protect the sky and the earth at the same time.
Otra ancestral history suggests that while dogs with heterochromia protect humanity, those with brown or amber eyes are the protectors of the spirits. Legends Eskimos explain that sled dogs with this coloration are faster than those with both eyes of the same color.
The truth is that dogs that have both different eyes only have certain genetic differences Some breeds that we have not mentioned can express spontaneous heterochromia, such as the Dalmatian, the Pit Bull Terrier, the English Cocker Spaniel, the French Bulldog or the Boston Terrier. Likewise, there are also cats with heterochromia.
