12 Dog Breeds With Eyes So Green They Look Enchanted
The majority of dogs are brown eyed with dark brown and slightly yellow eyes being most common. Dogs with blue eyes are uncommon but not necessarily rare, and certain breeds are well-known for their genetic predisposition for sky-colored eyes.
Rarest of all are dogs with green eyes, and only a small number of dog breeds with green eyes exist. American Kennel Club breed standards (among standards set by other international breed registries) have stipulations for when green eyes are acceptable.
Eye color in dogs is determined by genetic markers that influence how much eumelanin—or black pigment—a dog’s body produces. A dog with high eumelanin—for example a black dog—will have dark fur and darker eyes. A dog with little to no eumelanin—like all-white dogs—will have light eyes. To inherit green eyes, dogs must have low eumelanin and two sets of BB alleles, one from each parent.
So, are dark-colored dogs with green eyes rare? Because dogs with green eyes must have some amount of pigment dilution, it’s very rare to meet an all-black dog with green eyes. On the other hand, you also aren’t likely to meet an all-white dog with green eyes, since they can have too little pigment and are more likely to have blue eyes if their coat color is a genetic mutation. Tri-colored, bi-colored, tan, and light brown dogs with green eyes are most common.
None of these breeds have green eyes 100% of the time, but they are some of the most mesmerizing examples of green eyed dogs. If this were a beauty competition, these dogs would be making other breeds green with envy by flashing their emerald-green eyes. Incidentally, Envy and Emerald would be great names for dogs with green eyes!
1. Pitbulls
Pitbulls—including American Pit Bull Terriers, American Bullies, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, etc.—can have eyes of almost any color, including green!
Misunderstood and wrongfully stereotyped as aggressive and hard to manage, Pitbull dogs with green eyes are sweet, affectionate, and playful dogs that make wonderful companions. Energetic and athletic, Pitbull-type dogs like to stay active, but also make great snuggle buddies.
2. Australian Shepherd
Basic Info:
- Height: 18–23 inches
- Weight: 40–65 pounds
- Breed Type: Herding group
Australian Shepherds are well known for their famously striking eyes and unique coat patterns. Merle Australian Shepherds are more likely than bi and tri-colored Aussies to have green, blue, or light-colored eyes since they carry a pigment diluting gene that affects skin, coat, and eye color.
Smart, high-energy, and motivated, Australian Shepherds do best in active homes that can dedicate plenty of time to both physical and mental stimulation.
3. Border Collie
Basic Info:
- Height: 18–22 inches
- Weight: 30–55 pounds
- Breed Type: Herding group
The stereotypical Border Collie is black and white, and the vast majority of black and white BCs have dark brown eyes. Chocolate and white or red and white Border Collies carry a dilution gene that gives them their lighter colors, and are more likely to have green eyes!
One of the world’s most intelligent dog breeds, Border Collie ownership means keeping your four-legged genius from getting bored and trying to not let them outsmart you.
4. Catahoula Leopard Dog
Basic Info:
- Height: 22–24 inches
- Weight: 50–95 pounds
- Breed Type: Foundation stock service
Catahoula Leopard Dogs almost universally carry dilution genes that give them light-colored eyes and mottled fur. Catahoula Leopard Dogs are also prone to heterochromia, the scientific term for when a dog’s eyes are two different colors, so you might find individuals with one green and one blue/brown eye.
5. Cocker Spaniel
Basic Info:
- Height: 13.5–15.5 inches
- Weight: 20–30 pounds
- Breed Type: Sporting group
If you want a brown dog with green eyes, a Cocker Spaniel can give you that dream look! Cocker Spaniels often have moss green or hazel eyes, but be aware that their eye color can get darker as they age. Smart, gentle, and attentive, Cocker Spaniels make fantastic family dogs.
6. Dachshund
Basic Info:
- Height: 5–6 inches (miniature), 8–9 inches (standard)
- Weight: Up to 11 pounds (miniature), 16–32 pounds (standard)
- Breed Type: Hound group
Most Dachshunds and miniature Dachshunds have dark or light brown eyes, but dappled and light-colored examples of the breed (like red or fawn) may have amber, hazel, or green eyes. The smallest breed in the hound group, Dachshunds are independent, clever, and stubborn, but wonderful little companions nonetheless.
7. English Springer Spaniel
Basic Info:
- Height: 19–20 inches
- Weight: 40–50 pounds
- Breed Type: Sporting group
Few English Springer Spaniels have true emerald green eyes, but if you love dogs with hazel green eyes you’ll love Springers! Often born with lighter green eyes that darken as they get older, you’ll find that most Springer Spaniels with green eyes are chocolate or red.
Affectionate, cheerful, and loyal, English Springer Spaniels are wonderful pets for families with kids.
8. Great Dane
Basic Info:
- Height: 28–32 inches
- Weight: 110–175 pounds
- Breed Type: Working group
Dark brown eyes are considered the standard for most Great Danes, but Merle and Harlequin Great Danes may have gray, blue, or even green eyes. These jolly green-eyed gentle giants are just lap-dogs stuck in huge bodies, and any Great Dane owner will tell you how sweet, reserved, and loving these big dogs are.
9. Labrador Retriever
Basic Info:
- Height: 21.5–24.5 inches
- Weight: 55–80 pounds
- Breed Type: Sporting group
One of America’s favorite dog breeds, the Labrador Retriever comes in three standard colors and can have green eyes! Chocolate and yellow Labs are more likely than black Labs to have green eyes, since they have less eumelanin.
10. Siberian Husky
Basic Info:
- Height: 20–23.5 inches
- Weight: 35–60 pounds
- Breed Type: Working group
Huskies are most likely to have mossy green or hazel eyes, rather than light or bright green. Some people might describe this type of green eye as “amber” and it’s most common in white or red and white Huskies.
Beautiful as they are, Siberian Huskies are high-energy and many people aren’t prepared for how much work they require, which lands huge numbers of Huskies in shelters. Before you choose this breed, make sure you have enough time and energy for a Husky.
11. Vizsla
Basic Info:
- Height: 21–24 inches
- Weight: 44–60 pounds
- Breed Type: Sporting group
It’s quite common for Vizslas to have green, hazel, or amber eyes since this breed lacks black pigment universally. Vizslas are curious, aloof, and loyal dogs who sometimes act more like cats than canines, but can also have big bursts of energy.
12. Weimaraner
Basic Info:
- Height: 23–27 inches
- Weight: 55–90 pounds
- Breed Type: Sporting group
Most Weimaraners are born with blue eyes that either stay blue, or deepen to amber, light brown, or green! A beautiful breed with remarkable coloring, Weimaraners are alert, independent, and athletic dogs that thrive with lots of room to run and explore.
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