Most of the dog breeds you purchase at the store have been bred for different purposes, so they come in various sizes, ages, and temperaments. Some are more friendly, some are more playful, some are more reserved, and some are more aggressive. You may have seen blue-eyed Dachshunds, Siberian Huskies, or border collies. But have you ever seen a blue-eyed Beagle?
Yes, beagles with blue eyes are very rare, and this is very rare for purebred beagles to have blue eyes. However, beagles can have blue eye color when they are crossbred with blue-eyed pure dog breeds, for example, Australian Shepherd, Dachshunds, Great Danes, Siberian Husky, and Border Collie. Some rare variations in DNA can result in blue eyes in dogs.
Let’s take a look at the top 6 reasons why beagles have blue eyes.
1. Genetic Mutations
Genetic mutations are defined as changes in the structure of DNA and chromosomal pairing. Genetic mutations that can cause blue eyes in beagles are very rare. Following are some of the genetic mutations in blue-eyed beagles:
Dilute Gene
It is the commonest genetic mutation in Beagles that produces blue eyes. As the name suggests, this gene “Dilutes” the pigment of the skin and the eyes. It can produce lavender, gray and blue colors in the eyes.
Merle Gene
It is a type of genetic mutation in dogs. Merle gene reduces the pigmentation in the dog’s coat and the eyes. Beagles with an inherited merle gene have lighter shades in dogs coats and eyes. The eyes may have gray, lavender, bluish-gray, or blue color. Merle gene gives Beagles a very unique appearance, and they are easy to be recognized and differentiated from other genetic mutations.
Dogs who have inherited the merle gene are prone to various health issues, including vision loss, hearing impairment, and microphthalmia (small-sized eyeballs). Merle patterning plays a role in reduced pigmentation in dogs.
Not all merle gene dogs face these health issues. Single merle gene inherited dogs are as normal as other breeds, but double merle gene dog breed faces all the above-mentioned health issues.
Blue Eye Gene
This is the rarest genetic mutation in Beagles. The dominant blue eye gene produces white patches on the dog’s coat and grayish-blue eyes in the dog. Because of this blue-gene inheritance, your beagles have blue eyes.
2. Albino Beagles
Beagles can have albinism and blue eyes. Albino dogs are not any specific breed but are caused by a mutation in the gene that produces the tyrosinase enzyme. Tyrosinase controls the rate-limiting step of melanin production.
If there’s a mutation in tyrosinase production, it impairs melanin production. Reduced melanin produces white patches on the skin, white fur, lightly pigmented blood, and light-shaded eyes especially blue or green eyes in albino puppies. However, these characteristics can go away with time.
Albino dogs are sold at higher prices because of their unique attractive appearance. These dogs need extra care and attention. They possess serious health complications. Many albino beagles possess visual and hearing impairments. They cannot withstand the sunlight for a longer duration. Albino dog owners should never expose their dogs to the sun for a longer time. Albino beagles can also develop skin cancer.
Symptoms of Albinism in Beagles
- Small-sized eyeball
- Pinkish nose
- Gray or grayish-blue eyes
- Light pink skin surrounding the eyes
- White patches of skin on the face
- White fur all over the body
3. Mixed Breed
Beagle’s eye color is inherited from either or sometimes both parents. If you own a pure Beagle, it will most commonly have brown eyes. However, if your Beagle puppies are a mixed breed obtained by crossbreeding between a beagle dog and a blue-eyed breed like Siberian husky and border collie, they can have light-shaded eyes (gray or light blue eyes). The blue color of the eyes is inherited as a recessive trait. Siberian husky is a pure blue-eyed dog breed that is commonly crossbred with collies and beagles
No wonder, if someone’s pure beagles have blue eyes. In happens in this particular case if both the parents have a single mutated gene for blue eyes and both the parents pass this mutated gene to their offspring, then the beagle puppies will be born with blue eyes.
4. Beagles With Blue Eyes
All beagles are born with light-shaded eyes (gray or blue-colored eyes). It is a very normal phenomenon because their irises have very low melanin in their eyes. As the beagle grows, melanin starts forming in their eyes. Hence they obtain the signature brown or gold color in the eyes.
Beagle’s eye color at the time of birth decides how much lighter their eye color will be when they’ll grow up. For example, Young puppies having crystalline blue-colored eyes will most likely have honey-colored eyes when they grow up.
5. Eye diseases
There are many eye diseases that can also result in blue eyes in beagles. The most common eye diseases are given below:
Chronic Anterior Uveitis
Chronic anterior uveitis is a common eye disease in dogs. On the basis of how long the treatment takes, this eye disease may result in inflammation and various other complications that might cause the dog’s eyes to turn blue permanently or temporarily.
This illness is not always curable, but your veterinarian will manage it over time. The key to its management is to prevent infection from unsanitary environmental conditions. A clean home is necessary!
Perinatal Glaucoma
It is a serious eye disease. It can cause your Beagle to have blue-colored eyes. This is a congenital condition that can result in blindness in the affected dog’s eye if not promptly treated.
Indicators of Perinatal Glaucoma
The most common symptoms of this disease are:
- Excessive tearing
- Cloudy eyes
- Sensitivity to light on one side
- Enlarged eyeball
- Dilated pupils
However, depending on which part was damaged, it may also be accompanied by squinting and an enlarged pupil. Assuming there are no additional complications, these symptoms typically resolve within four weeks if left untreated.
Nuclear Sclerosis
It is not a serious complication. It may occur in dogs at the elder stages of life. But in the earlier stages, it should be considered a sign of cataract formation in the eye. You should take your Beagle to the doctor as soon as possible and get pet medical advice.
Interstitial Keratitis
Interstitial keratitis may occur due to inflammation in the corneal cells. A thin blue-colored film appears on the front of the eye. This inflammation produces an exudate fluid that forms a layer in the eye. This needs to be treated immediately to avoid vision loss.
6. White Fur around Eyes
If your beagle has white fur around its eyes, there are chances that it would have blue-colored eyes. This discoloration of the dog’s coat and the eyes may occur due to some unknown genetic mutations. But don’t worry, it isn’t serious.
Conclusion
The natural blue eyes in Beagles can be confused with the signs of eye diseases. The causes of a Beagle’s blue eyes can be anything from genetics to health problems. While it’s not always bad, it can be a sign of other health problems that should be evaluated by a doctor or veterinarian. Knowing the potential causes of blue eyes can help you better understand your dog’s health and ensure its happiness and good health.
