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Siberian Huskies are majestic dog breeds with a very fascinating feature of having different eye colors. Most of the people who are super crazy about these striking dogs wonder why do huskies have different colored eyes? If you are no different, then start reading the article to know more.
The phenomenon of having different colored eyes is termed heterochromia which is caused by a genetic mutation. The distribution and concentration of the natural pigment in their bodies known as Melanin are responsible for the coloration of their eyes. The lack or excess of pigment in the iris results in heterochromia.
Why do huskies have blue eyes?
One of the distinguishing features of huskies is their spectacular blue-colored eyes. And many usually get amazed at why do huskies have blue-colored eyes. This is due to some genetic changes which lower the amount of pigment in their iris so that it appears blue. Among the huskies 40% of them are blue-eyed.
Huskies with different eye colors come very astonishingly. The primary factor which causes this condition is the amount of melanin in their eyes. Dogs mainly have a brown color or shades of the brown iris which is due to the presence of highly concentrated melanocytes in their iris.
However, there occurs a genetic mutation that changes the concentration and intensity of the distribution of melanin. It goes proportionally in the way that the lack of melanin corresponds to the lack of melanocytes. Hence the eye color shifts from brown to some other shades. The color usually shifts to blue.
The blue color is not always the same for the individual huskies. They do change among the various shades. Following are some of the shades of blue-colored eyes:
•Seafoam green
•Deep blue
•Silver blue
•Pale and white blue
What are the different eye colors do huskies have?
Huskies have a spectrum of eye colors and also have a striking variety of combinations. Let’s go into each one of them.
1) Blue-eyed huskies
One of the frequently asked questions when it comes to huskies having different colored eyes is which husky has blue eyes. Surprisingly, blue-colored eyes are very common in huskies, which comes as a very typical example of heterochromia. The ratio is evident proof which is 4:10 means every 10 huskies have among them 4 blue-eyed huskies. Siberian Huskies have strikingly blue eyes.
2) BI-eyed huskies
Now here comes the full majesty and charm of these most beautiful dog breeds, which renders most of its owners puzzled asking “why do huskies have two different colored eyes?” The huskies that fall in this category of eye color are slightly rare among the breed. They have one blue and one brown eye which looks very appealing and glorious.
3) Parti-colored eyes in huskies
Another combination of eye colors that looks very striking is the particolored. In fact, this color is the rarest one which constitutes about 5% of the whole population. Parti-color refers to the presence of two different colors in an eye and it is beautifully blended towards the periphery or in a specific location in the iris.
4) Brown-eyed huskies
Another eye color that is common as the blue one is brown. The ratio is the same which is every 4 huskies among 10 have brown-eyed iris. However, unlike the blue color which comes just in one tone, brown color comes in various tons and shades such as amber or golden-colored eyes.
Huskies change eye color with time
Many might get overly surprised knowing the fact that huskies’ eye color does change if and only if destined to. Blue eye color is what the newborn huskies start their life with. With time it changes into light brown and in very rare cases it turns green.
In some cases, it remains the same. In rare cases, it turns into a bi-eyed condition, and in very rare cases turn its eyes into part-colored.
When huskies are in the period of 5 to 8 weeks, their eye color can change. The whole process depends entirely on the genes and the concentration of melanin. As an estimate, the huskies’ eye color ought to settle by 3 to 4 months. But, some have witnessed their huskies change eye color until up to 6 months.
Changing eye color in an adult husky aged 1 year or above appears very rare. In case, if you come up with such instances, then have a quick appointment with the vet in order to figure out any serious health issues.
To inspect the changing eye color in huskies you have to have a very close observation of your husky’s growth periods as it grows into its adulthood. Huskies are more prone to eye diseases such as cataracts.
Therefore, to avoid all the inconveniences you are required to have detailed knowledge about what do huskies eat or how tall do huskies get to know their growth tendencies and dietary requirements.
Do huskies suffer pain due to heterochromia?
Because heterochromia appears as a result of a genetic mutation that displays just like the normal traits do. You need not be suspicious. Just stay relaxed, because this condition is not going to cause any sort of pain.
However, huskies with lighter shades of different-colored eyes are more sensitive to light. They have comparatively lower levels of melanin in their irises and hence their eyes are light-colored. Such eyes cannot block light strongly due to lower amounts of melanin. It eventually causes some discomfort in your husky.
Following are the ways to prevent such an issue of light-colored eyes huskies:
1)Do not take your husky out on bright sunny days.
2)Keep them inside your house to prevent any inconvenience.
3)Do take them out at dawn or during cloudy days or when the sunlight fades.
4)If you take it out instead of the sunlight, then you can provide the husky with goggles or sunglasses.
Frequently asked questions
- Do huskies face eye-related problems?
Yes, huskies are comparatively more prone to eye diseases such as cataracts. But, Siberian huskies particularly, suffer three common eye-related issues. The Progressive retinal Atrophy, Juvenile cataracts, and Corneal Dystrophy.
- Is the variation in eye color a sign of eye problems in huskies?
No, it is not. Many people do assume that the very common eye problems in huskies are due to heterochromia. Which is in fact not true. Change in eye color due to heterochromia is all normal.
However, there are certain health conditions other than heterochromia which change a husky’s eye color. These include Glaucoma, nuclear sclerosis, cataracts, corneal dystrophy, uveitis, retinal dyspepsia, and undeveloped optic nerve. In such situations, you need to consult your veterinarian because eye color change in such conditions is not normal and shows prospective health issues.
- Do all Siberian huskies have blue eyes?
Siberian husky puppies are born with blue-colored eyes. However, they do change with time but, most Siberian huskies are famous for their striking blue-colored eyes. The genetic mutation in the gene ALX4 reduces the level of pigmentation in their eyes which turns their eye color blue. A condition arises as a result which is termed heterochromia which is typically common in Siberian huskies.
- Can huskies have brown eyes?
Yes, they do have. Indeed, Brown is quite typical of huskies. Among the huskies, two of the dominant breeds are the Siberian and Alaskan huskies. Both can have brown-colored eyes.
- What is a parti-eyed husky?
Huskies with blue and brown eyes are known as parti-eyed huskies. They have an eye color with a combination of both blue and brown which appears utterly gorgeous.
Conclusion
The startling feature of huskies is their spectacular eye colors. They have a variety of eye colors which come in three different categories. Firstly they are either blue or brown which are considered the most common eye colors in huskies. Secondly, they have two different colors of eyes such as the blue-brown huskies having one blue and one brown eye. Thirdly, they have eyes each colored with a combination of two different colors.
However, many husky fans get surprised and say why do huskies have different colored eyes. This is all due to a condition known as heterochromia caused by a genetic mutation. The concentration of the pigment responsible for eye color, known as melanin, differs due to the mutation and it becomes the cause of huskies having different colored eyes.
We have provided you with an explained account of huskies’ eye color variation. And, we presume that this article is a perfect answer to one of your intriguing questions “why does my husky have two different colored eyes.”
