If you were looking into dogs with green eyes, you might have come up with many different types of dogs. The list can be very long, but a big majority of the dogs from that list are crossbreed dogs. You won’t find a lot of purebred dogs with true green-colored eyes.
If we know that there are approximately 400 separate dog breeds (purebreds) around the world, there aren’t many dogs with such striking eye color. Most dogs have shades of brown and yellow eye color.
But, we have this list of the 21 dogs with the incredible green eye pigment.
We will cover only the purebred dogs with green eyes, and make some honorable mentions of crossbreed or designer dog breeds.
From tiny Chihuahuas to big Great Danes, the green color of the eyes is not connected to the dog’s height or weight. They can also be of different coat colors, but all of them have some things in common…
It is time to take a look at the list and learn about different types of dogs that have green eye color. They are purebred, they are green-eyed, and they are gorgeous.
21 Dogs With Green Eyes
Dog breeds with green eyes lack an eye pigment called eumelanin. This is the main factor that turns the eyes brown, yellow, or amber.
If a dog has enough brown pigment, it will have brown eyes, amber eyes, hazel eyes, or light brown eyes.
When a dog lacks this pigment it can have green or blue eyes. The amount of eumelanin is connected with the merle gene. So, in order to have such eye color, most of these dogs have most likely developed a specific merle coat color, too.
But, a dog doesn’t have to have a merle coat pattern to have green eyes. You will see that dogs, such as Dobermans or Corgis do not have the merle coat color, and yet they have green eye color. They have different genes – not the ones controlling the color of a dog’s coat.
The genes play the main role, and they can come up in a mixed breed as well. We will mention a few of them later, but right now… let’s see the purebred dogs with green eyes.
1. Weimaraner
First on our list is a beautiful ‘Ghost dog’ from the sporting group. This is a large dog that can weigh more than 80 pounds, and stand tall… more than 25 inches.
This dog has striking features… not just green eyes! It has a blue, gray, or silver-gray coat color that makes it look absolutely gorgeous!
The Weimaraner was originally bred as a hunting dog in 19th-century Germany. They first started as hunting dogs for big animals, such as bears and wolves, but later on (and today), they were used as bird-retrieving dogs.
They do need a lot of daily physical and mental stimulation, but they make excellent family pets! They go great with children and with other dogs. Their affection, intelligence, and easy grooming make them very popular among sporting dog lovers.
2. Great Dane
It’s the lovable giant — the Great Dane. These dogs are true giants of the dog world. They can be taller than 30 inches, and they can weigh more than 170 pounds!
But, they are gentle, friendly, and calm dogs that think they can fit on your lap as if they were small dogs. Great Dane dogs come in many coat color variations, including blue, fawn, brindle, and merle.
Yes, these dogs come in the merle coat color, and they can have beautiful green eyes. Most Great Danes that have green eyes have a blue coat or a merle coat.
This amazing big dog was originally bred in Germany, but they were used all across Europe for boar hunting. Later, they settled as great guards or watchdogs.
They are excellent family pets, but unfortunately, their life expectancy is quite short — up to 10 years. So, make the best of what you got with these incredible, green-eyed, large doggos.
It is also very important to mention that these dogs are more prone to bloat than other dog breeds. You should feed them smaller meals two times a day, and avoid exercise for half an hour before and after a meal.
3. Siberian Husky
This is a medium-sized working dog originally bred for pulling sleds across frozen lands in the cold plains of Siberia. They weigh around 60 pounds, and they can be around 23 inches tall.
Even though the most common eye color is blue, these dogs have green eyes, too. In some cases, they have eyes with different colors. One eye is blue and the other one is green. This is called heterochromia.
I am certain you have heard of their (in)famous howling and growling. Don’t make the mistake of thinking they are silent.
Oh, no… the Siberian Husky is a very vocal dog that will wake up not only you and your family in the middle of the night, but your neighbors, too.
Another important thing to think about is whether you can give this dog enough physical activity. They are very active, and they need their place and time to run and, if possible, roll in the snow.
4. Chihuahua
From a double-coated Husky… we go to the smooth-coated Chihuahua – another dog with green eyes. This is a toy dog that weighs up to 6 pounds, and can be up to 8 inches tall.
A tiny dog indeed, but with a big personality! They are famous for their big attitudes, and some even think they are quite aggressive dogs. Of course, they are not born aggressive, which means that good, early socialization is a must!
Merle Chihuahuas are most often seen with green eyes. They can have other eye colors as well, but this one makes Chis even more adorable!
These little dogs are perfect apartment pets — they are small, they do not drool, they are easy to groom, they do not shed a lot, and they can live for more than 15 years!
However, even though they are small dogs, they can still be prone to obesity, and a case of a fat Chihuahua is not that uncommon.
This means you will have to pay attention to your Chihuahua puppy’s diet and give it high-quality food. This is food that is high in proteins and low in carbohydrates. It should also have vitamins and minerals to fully support your dog’s immune system.
5. Pomeranian
This might be one of the dogs with green eyes, but this is foremost a small and cute fluffy dog! Just like Chis, Poms fit into the toy group as well. They can weigh up to 7 pounds, and they can be up to 7 inches tall.
The most unique trait of Pomeranians is their coat — double and long, surrounding the body like a lion’s mane. They can come in many coat colors, but the one that interests us is the merle coat color. Merle Poms are the ones with green eye color.
We also have to mention the Pomeranian Husky mix — the Pomsky. A dog’s eye color comes from the mom’s and dad’s genes, so the Pomsky can have green eyes as well.
A Pomeranian is a dog that doesn’t need lots of exercise. They do need a daily walk, but that is something that we need to provide to all dogs, no matter the breed.
Just be careful when you are outside because Pomeranians can easily escape, get hurt, or even be chased by other larger dog breeds.
6. Corgi
There is the Cardigan and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and they can both have green eyes. These are cute dogs that can weigh from 30 to 38 pounds, and be tall, around 12 inches.
Corgis might be short, but they don’t lack herding skills. Just like their taller dog cousins, they are excellent at herding sheep and even cattle!
But, they are much more popular as house pets and furry family members. They are affectionate and cute, and they come in many coat colors — one of them is the merle coat color.
They are cute, but they are herding dogs, which means they will need the proper daily amount of exercise to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Also, these dogs are prone to obesity, so if you have one, keep an eye out on its food intake — they might become fat Corgis!
They are also very protective, which makes them great watchdogs. But, if you want this dog to get along well with young children, the best solution is to socialize your Corgi early.
They have to learn to be patient with small children, and we teach them that through early socialization.
7. Dachshund
These are also dogs with green eyes, and dogs that don’t grow taller than 9 inches. Just like Corgis, they also have a dwarf gene that makes them grow so short.
They are short, but they are very brave! These dogs were originally bred to hunt badgers! That means they had to go underground into the burrows and through all the nooks and crannies of the badger tunnels to chase them away.
They might be brave and fearless, but after work, they are just cute pooches that need lots of love and affection. Some say that Dachshunds are needy!
This is another German dog breed that has a long history — more than 600 years old! Of course, the Dachshund breed standards have changed since then. Today, according to the American Kennel Club, these dogs come in two types — shorthaired and longhaired Dachshunds.
Dachshunds come in many coat color variations. Some of the most unique are the brindle Dachshund and the piebald Dachshund.
8. Border Collie
It’s the smart and energetic Border Collie — one of the best herding dogs in the world! And, they are also one of the dogs with beautiful shades of green eye color.
They are not that common, but they can happen, especially in Border Collies because of their merle gene that is quite common in Collies. There are red merle and blue merle Border Collies.
These dogs are medium-sized. They can weigh from 30 to 55 pounds, and they can be up to 22 inches tall. They have very high herding instincts, so don’t be surprised to find them herding anything they can find around them.
They are one of the most popular breeds in the U.S. They might not be as popular as Golden Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers, but they are high on the list, taking 8th place among the most popular dog breeds in the States.
As mentioned, these dogs can come in the merle coat color, but there are many other beautiful coat colors as well; for example, seal, slate, sable, lilac, etc.
Whatever the color is, they can have green eyes, and that makes them even more beautiful.
9. Australian Cattle Dog
A dog with some Dingo genes… the Australian Cattle dog is smart, hard-working, and very resilient. They were bred to withstand the harsh Australian climate, and to work for hours herding flocks of sheep.
They weigh up to 50 pounds, and they can be up to 20 inches tall. Females are only slightly smaller than males — they weigh around 45 pounds, and they can be up to 18 inches tall.
Both male and female dogs can come in five different coat colors. Based on their coat color, they are called Blue or Red Heelers.
The most common eye color is brown or amber, but a green variation is present as well. These dogs are not like purebred labs or retrievers where the green color of the eye tells us there is some other dog breed mixed in.
These dogs can be green-eyed and purebred.
As for their herding instincts and social traits, it is best to properly socialize them from an early age. You have to teach your Australian Cattle dog not to chase other smaller pets, and to be nice to small children if they are too pesky.
10. American Pit Bull Terrier
Pitties have been misunderstood for a long time because of their troublesome past. People used to breed these dogs only for dog fights or bull baiting. That is what got these dogs on the “bad” list.
But, in truth, the American Pit Bull Terrier is an affectionate dog that is a very loyal and loving family pet. They do need to be properly socialized, but so do all other dogs.
Pit Bulls usually weigh from 40 to 60 pounds, and they can be up to 20 inches tall. This makes them medium-sized dogs.
This beautiful dog can also be blue-eyed as well as green-eyed. The color of their eyes usually goes hand in hand with their coat color. For example, gray Pit Bulls tend to have green eyes more often than black Pit Bulls.
If you are looking for an amazing guard dog and a loving family pet, then the Pit Bull is the right choice for you and your family.
11. English Springer Spaniel
As their name tells us, they come from England, and they were developed together with Cockers and other Springer dogs.
The average weight of an adult English Springer Spaniel is from 40 to 50 pounds, and their average height is up to 20 inches.
These dogs are friendly, playful, and obedient. However, just like other dogs with high prey instincts, you’ll have to be extra careful with Springers and small animals.
But, the socialization process of Springers is not a hard task at all. They love to please their owner, and they will quickly catch onto what you are trying to teach them to do (or not do).
If you are interested in finding green-eyed English Springer Spaniels in Canada, you can take a look at this list of breeders in Ontario: Top 5 English Springer Spaniel breeders in Ontario.
The majority of these breeders also ship their dogs outside Ontario.
12. Doberman Pinscher
Bred a long time ago in Germany to become protectors and guard dogs, these are one of the most popular dogs in the world.
Doberman Pinschers can weigh more than 90 pounds, and they can be up to 28 inches tall. Female Dobermans are smaller than males.
They might look scary, but they are very affectionate dogs that love to spend time with their owner and the family.
Dobermans come in many coat colors, but the most famous ones are black and tan, and red and tan. More unique colors are the fawn Doberman and the brown Doberman.
The important thing is that they can have green eyes. Most Doberman Pinschers will have dark-brown eyes, but a few develop this incredible eye color as well.
If you are looking for an alert, affectionate, and fearless dog to be your protector and amazing family pet — then the Doberman Pinscher is the dog for you.
13. Miniature Schnauzer
We came to our first terrier dog with green eyes. It’s the Miniature Schnauzer… a unique-looking dog. They have the Schnauzer’s eyebrows and mustache, which give them such interesting looks.
These dogs are inquisitive, smart, and loyal. The Miniature Schnauzer can weigh up to 20 pounds, and it can be up to 14 inches tall.
They were developed in Germany from the Standard Schnauzer because farmers needed small and agile dogs to catch rats on the farm.
They only come in three colors — black, black and silver, and salt and pepper. Of course, these are the colors accepted by the AKC, but Schnauzers can have other coat colors as well.
The chocolate (or liver) Schnauzers most commonly develop green eyes, but other coat color variations can have them just as well.
If you think that the Miniature Schnauzer or the Standard Schnauzer is the dog for you, here is a list of breeders to find your perfect pup:
- Miniature Schnauzer breeders
- Standard Schnauzer breeders
14. American Staffordshire Terrier
Right after the Schnauzer, we go to another terrier dog — the American Staffordshire Terrier. These dogs are smart, muscular dogs, with incredible loyalty to their owner.
If you are looking for a big guard dog, then you will be more than satisfied with the incredible Staffordshire Terrier.
They can weigh from 55 to 70 pounds, although the smaller females can weigh around 40 pounds. They can grow to be 18 to 19 inches tall.
The American Staffordshire terrier is a strong and powerful-looking dog that can come in 19 coat color variations — and they are all gorgeous! The best thing is that this is another dog with green eyes. So, you’ll get a guard dog, a loyal dog, and a beautiful-looking dog all in one.
Although they are very affectionate, they don’t go well with other dogs. You will need to teach your dog from an early age that other dogs are friends, and that they don’t pose a threat.
You will also have to do the same with young children — you have to help your Staff learn to be patient with very young children who love to pull and pinch dogs out of curiosity. They won’t hurt the children, but they might scare them.
15. Cocker Spaniel
Next on our list is the beautiful Cocker Spaniel. They are dogs with green eyes, too, but they come in other eye colors as well. The most common one is the brown or dark brown eye color.
Cocker Spaniels belong to the sporting group. They can weigh from 20 to 30 pounds, and they can be from 13 to 15 inches tall. The females are smaller than the males.
The Cocker Spaniel was originally bred in England, but the Cocker Spaniel we are talking about was further developed in the States.
The Cocker Spaniel was originally used as a gundog — to flush out birds and help hunters catch them in the tall grass or shrubbery.
Today, both versions of the Cocker Spaniel are used as family pets and companion dogs rather than hunting dogs. But, their hunting instincts are still very high, so you will have to pay attention to your Cocker when you go for a walk in the park.
16. Beagle
It’s the lovely and happy Beagle — a hound dog that has two varieties. One is smaller, weighs no more than 20 pounds, and stands up to 13 inches tall. The other one is bigger, weighs around 30 pounds, and is around 15 inches tall.
But, both versions are alert, smart, curious, and excellent family pets, especially if you have young children.
Beagles have a smooth and short coat that comes in more than 20 coat color variations, but only 10 are accepted as standard Beagle colors.
One of the most interesting Beagle colors is the blue tick Beagle. They have unique spots on their body, combined with the standard black and tan markings.
Just like other hunting dogs, Beagles need a lot of training and early socialization in order to learn not to chase small animals. However, you cannot completely shut down their hunting instincts, so you will always have to be a bit more careful when you take them on a walk.
17. French Bulldog
The adorable Frenchies are also one of the dogs with green eyes. These are small dogs, but they can be heavy for a small dog — around 30 pounds. As for their height, they can be up to 13 inches tall.
French Bulldogs are interesting dogs that draw a lot of attention with their unique flat face, bat ears, and bulldog stance. But, you have to keep in mind that these dogs can have a lot of health problems.
They are prone to breathing problems and eye problems, and they cannot swim! You should never leave your Frenchie alone next to a pool or even a tub.
They have a short and smooth coat, but there are long-haired Frenchies as well. In either case, these dogs are not hypoallergenic. They shed, and they can cause allergic reactions.
One of the best traits of this dog is the fact that they are great for city living. They don’t need a lot of daily exercise, which means daily walks without too much physical activity are perfectly fine for Frenchies.
18. Boston Terrier
This is another small dog with erect ears, but with different ancestors. The Boston Terrier was originally bred from bulldogs and terriers in the UK.
But, one lucky specimen came to Boston where they further developed this breed and came up with the final looks — a small dog that can weigh up to 25 pounds, and that can be up to 17 inches tall.
There are a lot of coat color variations, but the one we are especially interested in is the blue Boston Terrier because they usually have green-colored eyes. And, such eye coloration goes perfectly with the silver-blue color of their fur.
This dog is very affectionate, and it goes extremely well with small children. They are perfect for apartment living as they don’t need a lot of daily exercise. Similar to Frenchies, they need daily walks to keep them happy and healthy.
But, they do love to play and seek attention from you! Don’t worry – they are so adorable that you won’t even notice how much time you are actually spending playing or cuddling with your Boston Terrier doggo.
19. Alaskan Klee Kai
If you were looking for a dog that looks like a Husky, but much smaller and more serious than a Husky, then the Alaskan Klee Kai is the perfect dog for you!
They are from 12 to 17 inches tall, and they can weigh up to 25 pounds. But, some Klee Kais can weigh only 6 pounds!
These dogs are, as you’ve guessed, double coated, and they can come in three coat color variations: black and white, gray and white, and red and white. The Klee Kai with gray and white coat color will most likely have green-colored eyes.
The Klee Kai is taken from the Athabaskan languages, and it means “little dog”. And, as you’ve seen, they truly are little, which makes them highly adaptable to various living spaces.
The Alaskan Klee Kai is an intelligent and loyal dog that is ready to follow you wherever you go.
20. Australian Shepherd
They are called Australian Sheepdogs, and they have been known as one of the best herding dogs in the world. They are not only intelligent and trainable, but also beautiful dogs!
They come in many coat color variations, from black Aussie Shepherds to a red-tri coat color.
These dogs have the merle gene responsible for turning their eyes green. However, we will see later that this particular gene can cause some health problems as well.
Right now, let’s focus on how amazing this dog is. They can weigh from 40 to 65 pounds, and they can be from 18 to 23 inches tall. The males are bigger than the females.
The Australian Shepherd is very good with children, but they are not that open to strangers. They are not as reserved as some other dog breeds, but they do need a good amount of socialization to help them act calmly and openly among strangers.
21. Catahoula Leopard Dog
And, the last on our list of dogs with green eyes is the Catahoula Leopard dog — born and raised in America. These are large dogs that can grow up to 24 inches tall, and can weigh anywhere from 50 to 95 pounds!
The Catahoula dog has the merle gene as well, which gives this dog 10 beautiful coat color variations and markings. They are called Leopard dogs precisely because of their spotted coat resulting from the merle gene.
This is a loyal dog, but it can become stubborn or independent from time to time. This comes from their interesting origin. They were first bred as hunting dogs, and then as herding dogs, and even guard dogs.
Whether you need a working dog or a guard dog, the Catahoula Leopard dog is an excellent all-American choice.
Do Dogs With Green Eyes Have Health Issues?
No matter the dog breed, all dogs can have some health problems during their lifetime. These health problems can either be hereditary or caused by external factors, such as viruses or bacteria.
But, unfortunately, there is a possibility that the merle gene that is often present in green-eyed dogs can cause health issues. The health problems caused by this gene are connected with hearing and sight.
The most common issues are:
- Deafness
- Glaucoma
- Coloboma
Coloboma is also known as Collie Eye Anomaly because it is most common in Collie dogs, but it is just as spread among Australian Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs, and Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers.
The Conclusion
We’ve mentioned only purebred dogs with green eyes, with the exception of the Pomsky. When it comes to the green-eye gene, there are numerous dog mixes that can have green-eyed offspring.
For example, a Weimaraner Pit Bull mix is a crossbreed dog that will most likely have green eyes, especially if its parents are green-eyed.
But, the traits of these dogs are unpredictable, and we can’t say for sure that they will have green eyes. That’s why we focused on purebred dogs whose physical and temperamental traits can be predicted, especially if they come from a famous and well-established bloodline.
In the end, no matter what breed of dog you choose or you think is the most beautiful, all of these 21 green-eyed dogs are special and gorgeous.
They will make the best new family members whether you need them to help you with work or you need their protection — dogs are considered man’s (and woman’s) best friend for a reason.
They can be green-eyed, blue-eyed, or brown-eyed — but they all need you to take care of them and give them lots of love and affection.
