Did you know that there is such a thing as a blue-eyed Border Collie? Apparently, the most intelligent dog breed isn’t just about wits and hard work; they also carry other spectacular features.
If you haven’t seen one yet, the blue-eyed Border Collie is one with beautiful blue eyes. It is the same highly-affectionate dog but with mesmerizing eye color.
In this guide, you will discover all there is to know about Border Collies with blue eyes. Everything about them is covered, including their looks, genetics, health, as well as where to find one.
Can Border Collies Have Blue Eyes?
Border Collies can have blue eyes. In fact, this breed is among the few breeds that can sport a range of eye colors, including blue. That said, blue-eyed Border Collies are usually those carrying the merle coat pattern. Hence, experts suggest that these traits are associated with one another.
To set the record straight, the Border Collie comes in a variety of breeds with 24 different colors such as red, black and white, lilac, and tri-colored, being the most popular ones, along with the rare blue merle Border Collie.
Each of these varieties has a unique set of eyes due to genetics. Commonly, Border Collie’s eyes are colored brown.
However, some may also exhibit yellow eyes, green eyes, amber eyes, dark eyes, and even mismatched eyes.
Unlike the popular blue-eyed Siberian Husky, Border Collies with blue eyes can be quite hard to find.
While there may be mixed-breed Border Collies with blue eyes, you can also encounter purebred Border Collies carrying these beautiful blue eyes.
To have a visual idea of what a Border Collie with blue eyes looks like from birth up to its early young age, you can watch this video:
DISNEY♡ | 1 to 17 weeks<a href="https://youtu.be/iskxr4-Cbjc" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Fiskxr4-Cbjc%2F0.jpg" alt="DISNEY♡ | 1 to 17 weeks" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Are Blue-Eyed Border Collies Rare?
Yes, blue eyes in Border Collies are extremely rare. This is because blue eyes usually manifest in merle Border Collies which are also uncommon color variations of the Border Collie.
To produce blue-eyed Border Collies, a dog must be homozygous for the recessive gene that causes blue eyes.
In cases where a dog is homozygous for the blue-eyed gene, only 50% of the puppies result in blue eyes.
That said, breeders usually have to run DNA checks on their Border Collies to see if they are carriers of the gene that produces this eye color.
Even so, even if both parents have blue eyes, it is still possible for Border Collie puppies to have other eye colors. This is because the gene for blue eyes does not always show up.
In short, blue-eyed Collies are rare because of the fact that they are difficult to breed.
What Causes Blue Eyes in Border Collies?
The eye color of Border Collies is determined genetically. This means that the eye color of the Collie puppy will mostly depend on the dog’s parents.
The merle gene is the reason why Collies can have blue eyes. These merle-coated Border Collies are characterized by random splotches of dark pigment over a lighter shade of the same color.
The merle pattern in dogs is caused by a particular locus, also called the M-locus. It is possible for this locus to be either “m” or “M”; the former is recessive, and the latter is dominant.
However, not only that this gene is responsible for a wide variety of beautiful coat colors and patterns, but it is responsible for modifying the dark pigment of the eyes. Thus, merle dogs change color from dark brown to blue eyes.
As a side effect of the merle gene, random pigment loss and pigment dilution of the fur and skin may result in puppies having bright blue eyes.
To have blue eyes, one of the two dogs should have one copy of the “M” allele and one copy of the negative “m” allele. The dog can pass either allele to their offspring.
It is, however, not recommended to breed dogs that are both carriers of the dominant “M” allele since double merles can be affected by deafness and other defects.
Breeding Collies that are both carriers of the merle gene are likely to produce white Border Collies. These dogs often flaunt a beautiful white coat but are often at risk of congenital issues.
Do Blue-Eyed Border Collies Have Health Problems?
Contrary to popular belief, a Collie with blue eyes is as healthy as the other colors of the dog breed. In fact, they have an average lifespan of 10 to 17 years, given proper love and care.
It does not mean, however, that these dog breeds are immune to health issues. Just like any dog breed, there are diseases Border Collies are likely to develop.
Here are some of the most common health problems of the blue-eyed Border Collie:
Deafness: Partial or total inability to hear can be associated with the merle gene. That is why blue-eyed Border Collies, especially merle pups, are more susceptible to being deaf. This is due to the unpigmented skin on their ear canal, which leads to the degeneration of their nerve endings.
Hip Dysplasia: Border Collie frequently gets hip dysplasia. This medical condition develops when the elbow and hip joints fail to develop or line up appropriately, causing the ball and socket to dislocate.
Collie Eye Anomaly: Collie eye anomaly or commonly known as Collie eye defect, is an inherited congenital condition wherein the chromosomes that determine the development of the Border Collie’s blue eyes are mutated. When this happens, the choroid, or the collection of blood vessels that absorb scattered light and nourish the retina, is underdeveloped.
Although blue-eyed Border Collies are often healthy dogs, you should always have your dogs evaluated by a licensed veterinarian to make sure they are in tip-top shape.
Do Border Collie Puppies’ Eyes Stay Blue as They Grow?
For starters, Border Collies are all born with blue eyes before they gradually change to the pup’s eye color.
This happens at around 4 to 5 weeks when the cells that produce melanin or melanocytes in the iris mature.
That said, if a Border Collie puppy has one or both eyes blue when it reaches a certain age, this will probably be its permanent eye color.
Likewise, if your Border Collie has brown eyes after weeks of birth, which is one of the most common eye colors, it will develop into darker brown later on.
Note, however, that it could take up to three months for these Border Collies to have their permanent color eyes.
On the contrary, there may be instances when Border Collie puppies develop a secondary eye color later in their life.
That is why do not be surprised to see a Border Collie with two colors in each eye, such as brown and blue, brown and yellow, and a blue and yellow combination.
Places to Find Border Collies With Blue Eyes for Sale and Adoption
While finding reputable Border Collie breeders should not be a problem, you must do a little bit of hunting for you to come upon a blue-eyed Border Collie.
Aside from being rare, they are also quite in demand.
To start your search, here are places where you can find Border Collie blue eyes for sale:
Greenfield Puppies – Since 2000, this online pet website has been matching loving families with healthy, high-quality puppies. Breeders must pass through background checks before they can advertise, so you can be confident that you are purchasing from a responsible breeder.
Good Dog – Good Dog is another online pet website that makes it simple and straightforward for people to get pups from reputable breeders. To ensure you will only get quality Border Collies, they strictly screen every member of their community.
Lancaster Puppies – With over 10,000 listings of mixed and purebred puppies, there is a huge chance for you to find Border Collies breeds with blue eyes on this website. Though they have strict breeder requirements, it is still best to do your part and thoroughly check the breeder.
Aside from buying from a breeder, adopting from your neighborhood animal shelter is another thing that you should think about. In addition to doing a good deed, you will be able to save a hefty amount.
Here are some places you can check out to see if they have blue-eyed Border Collie:
Midwest Border Collie Rescue – This non-profit organization serves the Midwest states, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan. They rescue unwanted, abused, lost, and abandoned Border Collies, including dogs with blue eyes.
Blue Ridge Border Collie Rescue – Blue Ridge was founded in 2001 by five friends and has since then been dedicated to finding good homes for rescued Border Collies of all coat and eye colors. They have a network of volunteers all over Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, where their dogs are fostered while they find them new homes.
North California Border Rescue and Adoption – This organization is composed of volunteers helping rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome abandoned, lost, and mistreated Border Collies, including those with blue eyes. Prior to adoption, they make sure the dogs received their rabies vaccinations, heartworm medications, microchipped, dewormed, and spayed or neutered.
For added reference, be sure to go through our recommended Border Collie rescue organizations, where you could possibly find Border Collie puppy blue eyes.
Likewise, you can read our article on the ways you can find free puppies and our dog adoption guide to make your search for these rare puppies easier and smoother.
Dog Name Ideas for Blue-Eyed Border Collie Puppies
No matter how easy it might seem, choosing a name for your blue-eyed companion can be quite overwhelming as there are many dog name suggestions you can find online.
However, it is important that you choose a short but sweet name that will make it easy for your dog to recognize.
Here are some names you can choose for your male blue-eyed Border Collie:
Sky
Blu
Ocean
Arctic
Thor
Pepper
Ice
Finn
Tucker
Iver
Loki
Thanos
Apollo
Zeus
Tobby
Lofi
Ollie
Max
Rocco
Buddy
Bruno
Duke
Magic
Prince
Bear
Riley
Ranger
Kobe
Boie
Bailey
Meanwhile, here are some name ideas for female Border Collies with blue eyes:
Luna
Bella
Daisy
Stella
Skye
Snowy
Lily
Ellie
Lola
Sofie
Sugar
Princess
Gigi
Pillow
Nova
Maggie
Iris
Abby
Cookie
Molly
Ashley
Ginger
Blessy
Mochi
Sparkle
Chewy
Misty
Poppy
Tiffany
Shasha
These names may be lovely and charming, but it is still important that you pick one that you’ll enjoy calling your Border Collie dog for the rest of your dog’s life.
Other Dog Breeds That Have Blue Eyes
Aside from Border Collies, other dogs sport these icy-colored eyes as a breed trademark. Meanwhile, others may get blue eyes as a recessive trait.
Here are other dog breeds that are born with blue eyes:
Siberian Husky
Australian Shepherd
Weimaraner
Daschund
Corgi
Great Dane
Catahoula Leopard Dog
Alaskan Klee Kai
Cane Corso
Alaskan Malamute
Shetland Sheepdog
Dalmatian
These dogs are purebred dogs and can genetically carry blue eyes. Some breeds from this list carry a dominant gene that causes blue eyes, while other breeds flaunt merle coats and are carriers of the merle gene.
Likewise, some of these dogs will have either a pair of two blue eyes or will have two different eye colors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are All Border Collie Puppies Born With Blue Eyes?
Yes. A Border Collie puppy’s eyes are blue upon birth. This is due to a lack of melanin production until they are 4 to 5 weeks old. However, only a few of them will have two blue eyes after about nine months.
If the puppy has been bred from a recessive gene carrier, the puppies will likely end up with blue eyes for the rest of their lives.
However, if the puppy is not a carrier of the gene, the color of a Border Collie’s eyes will change and will show its true color before reaching three months of age.
Will Blue-Eyed Border Collies Have Blue-Eyed Puppies?
Blue-eyed Collies have a high chance of having blue-eyed offspring. However, the color of your dog’s eyes will still depend on whether the gene for having a blue eye is present in both parents or just one of them.
If one parent carries the gene, you might notice a Border Collie with a combination of blue-eyed and brown-eyed puppies. There’s a 50% chance of passing the blue-eye trait down to their offspring.
On the other hand, if you breed two Border Collies that are both carriers of the recessive gene for blue eyes, you can be sure that each puppy will have one copy of the gene. Hence, a higher chance of having a pup with blue eye color.
Even with all these, you cannot guarantee that dogs with blue eyes will be produced since it is purely up to the dog’s genetics.
Are Blue-Eyed Border Collies Deaf?
Statistically speaking, blue-eyed Border Collie puppies are more likely to be deaf. However, owners should not worry about their blue-eyed dogs since this isn’t always the case for every pup.
Border Collies that inherit two copies of the merle gene will almost certainly be born deaf. Likewise, they are also prone to more serious health problems, including vision problems.
Most often than not, a white Border Collie, which is a result of double merles, has these health issues.
Luckily, most Border Collies only have a single copy of the merle gene, and there is only a 25% chance of having a double merle even when two merle dogs are bred together.
Do Blue Eyes Affect the Behavior of Border Collies?
No. The dog’s eye color does not affect its behavior. Whether they flaunt beautiful amber, brown, yellow, or blue eyes, your Border Collie will still be highly intelligent, energetic, and hardworking.
The same is true even if they have just one blue eye and one eye with other colors. Border Collies with complete heterochromia or those that have two different colored eyes also show the same behavior as other Collies.
Do Blue Eyes Affect a Border Collie’s Vision?
Contrary to popular belief, having a blue eye does not affect a Border Collie’s vision. Moreover, the presence of blue eyes in this dog breed does not indicate the presence of health issues.
However, it is important to note that, like other breeds, Collies can be susceptible to inherited genetic eye diseases regardless of eye color.
That said, it is important to have your Border Collie immediately checked by a licensed veterinarian for a complete check-up and eye exam when you notice any changes in its eye.
What Eyes Colors Can Border Collies Have?
The Border Collie comes in a variety of short coat colors and color patterns, and so does their eye color. Expect to find Collies with black, white, dark brown, light brown, yellow, green, amber, blue, and merle eyes.
While the most common eye color for these smarty-pants is brown, do not be surprised to come across Border Collies with complete heterochromia or mismatched eyes, as this is very common with merle-coated Collies.
Having two different colors in the eye color of Border Collies may be usual, but the combination of one blue eye and one hazel or brown eye color is a very rare occurrence.
Final Thoughts: Should You Get a Border Collie With Blue Eyes?
In conclusion, Border Collies that flaunt these bright blue eyes are indeed stunning, and it would be a huge honor to take care of one.
However, taking care of them requires not just commitment but also financial responsibility. While these dogs may be breathtaking to watch, the Border Collie is not for everyone.
One must have done their own intensive research before planning to buy these blue-eyed babies to avoid having problems later on.
Are you ready to take home one of these rare blue-eyed Border Collies? Let us know what you think about them in the comments!
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