Green-eyed dogs are rare, but these breeds are most likely to have gorgeous green peepers
The eyes are the windows to the soul, and when it comes to dogs with green eyes, that’s especially true. Our four-legged friends can’t communicate with us through words, but they can convey a lot to us through their eyes, ears and general body language.
And a dog’s eyes can tell you a lot more about them than whether they would like a second bone or have spied a squirrel outside. While most dogs have brown eyes and some have blue, a handful of special pups are born with striking emerald or hazel-green eyes that make them stand out from the pack. This rare trait isn’t just beautiful; it can also reveal something about your dog’s genetics and breed history.
To make sure you get expert-backed information, we relied on trusted organizations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) and turned to Caroline Coile, PhD, an award-winning journalist who literally wrote the book on dog breeds. She reviewed this guide to ensure the details about eye color genetics and breed tendencies are spot-on.
Ahead, you’ll discover which breeds are most likely to have green eyes, why this trait happens, and what makes it so rare. Then, we’ll answer the most common questions about dogs’ eye colors and highlight which pups are most likely to dazzle you with a green-eyed gaze.
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American Staffordshire terrier
The American Staffordshire terrier is the only purebred dog that tends to have green eyes, although they can also have blue, brown or hazel ones. These dogs are smart and sociable, and they make loyal guardians. While they might look tough, they’re giant softies. In addition to their notable peepers, they’ve got a muscular build and a glossy coat that can come in colors like brown, black, brindle and white.
Pomsky
While not recognized by the AKC as an official breed, the Pomsky—a crossbreed of the Pomeranian and Siberian husky—is the second most likely breed to have green eyes. You can easily identify these guys by their short statures, curly tails and playful antics. They look like Siberian huskies that have gone through a shrink machine. In addition to green eyes, Pomskies can also have blue eyes, brown eyes or heterochromia (two different colored eyes). These pups are playful, intelligent and independent, and they require lots of puzzles, games and exercise to keep them happy.
Australian shepherd
In addition to sometimes having green eyes, Australian shepherds frequently have two different colored eyes. Pups with heterochromia may have one blue and one brown eye or one green and one brown eye. These work-oriented dogs are members of the herding group and require vigorous exercise and training. As the AKC notes, they’re “quite capable of hoodwinking an unsuspecting novice owner.” With those puppy-dog eyes—no matter which color they are—we’d be hoodwinked too.
Weimaraner
The elegant and puppy-like Weimaraner has had celebrity owners such as President Dwight D. Eisenhower and actress Grace Kelly. And who wouldn’t want to own this handsome breed? Originally used as hunting dogs in Germany, Weimaraners have a distinctive silvery-gray coat and amber, blue-gray or green eyes. These pups require lots of exercise and love to run. If you don’t take them out for a solid game of off-leash fetch, expect them to have a serious case of the zoomies.
Border collie
These bright dogs occasionally have bright green eyes. Originally bred as sheepherding dogs, border collies are hardworking pups that require a lot of activity to stay happy. A morning jog won’t cut it for these cuties; you’ll want to get your dog involved in a vigorous exercise program or a sport such as flyball.
Labrador retriever
OK, no purebred labs have green eyes (to meet the standard, these pups must have brown, black or yellow peepers). But because this breed is so frequently mixed, some almost-purebred labs have lovely yellowish green eyes. Labs are smart, friendly and outgoing, and they’re one of the primary breeds chosen as guide and rescue dogs, thanks to their trainability and athleticism.
Dachshund
The dachshund’s sausage-like body and stumpy legs are nothing short of iconic. But did you know they can have green eyes too? These curious and spunky pups were originally bred to independently hunt badgers. That said, they’re not particularly playful, although they do appreciate a nice walk.
English springer spaniel
With floppy ears and a long coat, English springer spaniels are some of the cutest dogs with green eyes. Originally used as gun dogs, these playful and obedient pups are known for their handsome good looks and charming manners. They’re perfectly suited for an apartment or small house, although they’ll need some long walks on the weekends. English springer spaniels are eager to please, and your springer pup will likely graduate at the top of its class in obedience school.
Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are another dog breed with green eyes, and these purse-size pups have a reputation for being sassy and sometimes yappy. They’re charming and performative—just think of their on-screen appearances in movies and TV shows like Legally Blonde and Sex and the City—and they’re guaranteed to make themselves the center of attention in any household. But take your Chihuahua to obedience class, stat. The AKC warns that an untrained Chihuahua will “rule your household like a little Napoleon.”
Great Dane
If there’s one thing you’ve probably noticed about Great Danes, it’s that they’re huge. These dogs can stand up to 3 feet tall and weigh up to 175 pounds. On their hind legs, they’re taller than most humans. So we can’t blame you if you’ve never noticed that they can also have green eyes. Even if your Great Dane doesn’t have green peepers, it’s still a friendly, patient and dependable pup who deserves all the snuggles.
FAQs
Why do some dogs have green eyes?
A dog’s eye color—just like yours—is all about genetics. It turns out that most dogs’ eyes are various shades of brown because all dogs carry a gene that produces a brown pigment in the iris called eumelanin. Dogs with green eyes have a small amount of eumelanin, while dogs with blue eyes have none.
But that’s not all. Green eyes occur due to two copies of the bb allele that blocks the expression of any black pigment in the body. Notice that every breed on this list is chocolate, brown or liver-colored and has a brown, rather than black, nose? That’s the key.
Interestingly, while green eyes are striking, scientists say humans may have favored brown-eyed dogs during domestication 20,000 years ago and throughout history. In a 2023 study published in Royal Society Open Science, researchers found that people consider dark-eyed dogs friendlier and less mature, a bit like puppies.
Is it rare for a dog to have green eyes?
Yes—green eyes in dogs are rare. Puppies sometimes show green eyes that shift to amber as they mature, making true lifelong green eyes even less common.
The green-eyed gene appears in several popular dog breeds, such as border collies, Australian sheepdogs, Chihuahuas and more. Other breeds, including the American Staffordshire terrier, Pomsky and Weimaraner, can also have this unusual trait. However, many carriers of the gene simply have blue eyes, not green.
So can dogs really have green eyes?
Absolutely. While it’s not standard for most breeds, certain genetic variations make it possible. Some mixed-breed dogs may also inherit green eyes, especially when their parent breeds carry the trait.
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece on dogs with green eyes, Juliana LaBianca tapped her experience covering dog breeds, and then Caroline Coile, PhD, an award-winning journalist specializing in canine breeds, health and science, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We verified all facts and data and backed them with credible sourcing, and we will revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- American Kennel Club: “Australian Shepherd”
- Royal Society Open Science: “Are dark-eyed dogs favoured by humans? Domestication as a potential driver of iris colour difference between dogs and wolves”
- Science: “Siberia may be long-sought site of dog domestication”
