German Shepherd puppies with blue eyes look very special. What are the consequences of this feature? What do they have common with all blue eyed gsd? And finally, are sheepdogs with german shepherd’s eyes especially rare and expensive? Let’s break down these questions.
Do Blue-eyed German Shepherds Differ from Other GSD?
The most important thing that distinguishes German Shepherd puppies with truly blue eyed eyes, as you have already realized, is the color of their eyes, otherwise these dogs do not differ from other blue german shepherds. The same active, aspiring, strong, and intelligent. Even the color of the merle coat is not different, except if it is not a mixed breed.
If the blue-eyed German Shepherd is a crossbreed, then the following merle gene coat color options are possible: dark brown, light brown, blue eyed coloration, blue-gray, and white coat.
The Character of Blue Eyed German Shepherds
The blue eyed German Shepherd dogs breed is distinguished by high intelligence, loyalty, and devotion to their dog lover. They are also calm and obedient.
A feature of blue eyed German Shepherds are considered to have developed protective instincts, so they can be wary of strangers, although they do not show aggression unreasonably. The owner is put above all else and may even sacrifice themselves for him.
Blue German Shepherds do not really like loneliness, although they tolerate it calmly, and need attention, active games, and long walks. They are well-trained, so they quickly master new teams.
Future jobs for your blue-eyed puppy
They are not only excellent guards but also companions and loyal defenders. Blue German Shepherds get along well with children and calmly tolerate their pranks, perceiving the child as part of the pack.
Thanks to the balanced nature, stable temperament, easy learning, and intelligence blue eyed GSDs are actively used as detective, services, and security, also concerns blue eyed German shepherds.
According to the breed standard, courage, fighting instinct and endurance should be present in the character of the German Shepherd.
Care and Maintenance of Blue Eyes German Shepherds
The German Shepherd breed can live both in the house and in the yard. In the second case, the blue eyed German shepherd will need an insulated booth with a spacious aviary.
The German Shepherd needs to be combed regularly due to molting, and from time to time to cut his claws. You should also stock up on toys so that the shepherd puppy does not gnaw the furniture.
For the health of the blue German Shepherd, you should regularly monitor the condition of the truly blue eyes, ears, teeth, and nasal passages. From time to time, your blue-eyed German Shepherd needs to be bathed using a special shampoo. You’re unlikely to find a shampoo for blue-eyed dogs but choose something specifically designed for blue eyed German shepherds and other large breeds.
The animal needs activity, so walks should be long.
Training of Blue Eyes German Shepherds
Due to its high intelligence, the German Shepherd can learn commands in just a few repetitions, but its upbringing should begin at an early age.
When shaping the right behavior in your blue eyed puppy, pay attention to fostering the right habits:
- How to Potty Train a Puppy German Shepherd: The Basic Steps,
- How to Stop a German Shepherd Puppy from Biting Quickly,
- How to Make German Shepherd Back Legs Stronger: Practical Exercises for Your blue eyed GSD,
- How to Stop German Shepherd Barking: Detailed Answers to Frequent Questions.
At this time, the owner should show his authority and train the German Shepherd in the form of a game, encouraging them with a treat for a completed task. At the same time, the use of force is strictly prohibited.
Dog commands
There are several basic dog training commands that every dog should know. These cues can help you keep your dog under control and give your dog a sense of structure and order. They can also help you manage a variety of common behavior problems. In some cases, a well-placed command word may even save your dog’s life.
Top 10 Basic Dog Training Commands, The Spruce Pets
As the German Shepherd puppy grows up, it should learn at least the basic commands: “To me!”, “Place!”, “It is impossible!”, “Nearby!”, “Sit!”, “Lie down!”, “Walk!”, “Aport!”.
If difficulties arise during the upbringing or deviations in the behavior of the German Shepherd are noticeable, then its training should be entrusted to specialists of purebred dogs handlers. It is also necessary to teach the shepherd to walk on a leash and in a muzzle, and to wean t to pick up something from the ground.
Health and Diseases of Blue Eyes German Shepherds
With proper care and nutrition, the average life expectancy of this breed is from 9 to 13 years. German Shepherd can suffer from several dangerous ailments. For example, diabetes, leukemia, eosinophilic panosteitis (intermittent claudication), intestinal intussusception, and pyoderma.
Later, the German Shepherd may encounter allergies, as well as hip dysplasia, arthritis, and problems with intervertebral discs.
Canine hip dysplasia is one of the most commonly inherited joint diseases affecting large-breed dogs, and the secondary hip osteoarthritis results in pain and lameness. For dogs with hip dysplasia, the head of the femur and the acetabulum do not fit together correctly, resulting in painful and damaging friction.
A review of hereditary diseases of the German shepherd dog, Journal of Veterinary Behavior
Also, representatives of the German Shepherd breed with blue eyes can suffer from ear infections and various dermatitis. In order to detect problems in time, it is necessary to show the shepherd to the veterinarian 2-3 times a year.
Genetic diseases
Also, due to genetic mutations and a recessive merle gene, German Shepherd dogs may have health concerns in the form of vision loss, cataracts, and other blue eyes and brown eyes diseases.
The German Shepherds eyes are somewhat similar to the eyes of the Australian Shepherd. The dog’s eye color can also be the same. But when mixing these two breeds, as most breeders note, health concerns appear.
Genetic mutation, due to which color changes occur, occur due to failures in the DNA material. Eye color is also caused not only by genetic mutations but also by the recessivity of the trait.
Preventing health problems
Blue-eyed German Shepherds are prone to hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, and digestive problems as they age. All of these health problems can be minimized with the following three tips:
- Healthy nutrition is of paramount importance from birth to old age.
- German Shepherds require up to two hours of training per day.
- Attention and awareness prevent anxiety, which can cause stress, cramps, and blood pressure problems.
Weight management is a critical component of relieving dog joint pain. Obesity contributes to increased pressure on the joints, which leads to pain and discomfort. Controlling your dog’s weight can help ease their pain as they age.
How to Help Dogs With Arthritis, PetMD
Another quick tip: help a blue-eyed German Shepherd when he jumps up and down or from a height of the surface, such as from the back of a truck, uses or terrace, as this helps the joints.
I also recommend that you invest in a good orthopedic bed due to the occurrence of large groups as it helps prevent mobility issues and relieve pain and discomfort caused by arthritis.
Feeding of Blue Eyes German Shepherds
The health of a German Shepherd blue coloration largely depends on its diet. When choosing dry food, preference is given to premium and super-premium class.
The granules contain the necessary amount of nutrients, trace elements, and vitamins required for the harmonious development of the animal.
Choosing natural feeding, adhere to several rules:
- 1/3 of the diet is animal protein, 1/3 – carbohydrates (rice, buckwheat), 1/3 – vegetables and dairy products.
- Adult dogs are not given whole milk because it causes digestive disorders.
- The food is fed warm.
- They are fed at the same time.
- Water should always be freely available for the dog.
The products useful for the blue eyes German Shepherd include:
- lean meats (rabbit, chicken, beef);
- sea fish;
- eggs;
- cereals;
- corn, potatoes;
- raw and stewed vegetables.
Smoked meats, tubular bones, sweets, pastries, spices, salted and pickled foods, millet, corn groats, semolina are excluded from the diet.
Hygiene in Blue-eyed German Shepherds
Due to the increased sensitivity of the German shepherd’s eye color, there are often health problems. The diluted pigment can lead to various diseases. Use the following instructions for eye treatment.
The simplest thing you can use is a saline solution (0.9% sodium chloride). It can be used to rinse blue eyes in unlimited quantities and as often as necessary.
It should also be used when you suspect an eye injury to your pet. In this case, other means may simply be dangerous!
If an eye injury is suspected, wash off the crusts and rinse the eye with sterile saline solution or, in extreme cases, boiled water. It is dangerous to use other means without consulting a doctor!
In addition, to care for the blue eyes and brown eyes of a German Shepherd, you can use special lotions or drops designed specifically for German Shepherd’s eye care.
Be careful, sometimes pets may have an allergic reaction to a particular lotion. In this case, the use of such a lotion should be stopped immediately.
It is advisable to rinse the German Shepherds blue eyes from 1 time a day (at night) to 3 times a day (for example, after each walk), abundantly moistening the cotton pad with the liquid you have chosen, and leading it along the German Shepherds have blue Heeler towards the inner corner of the eye.
Possible directions are from the outer corner of the eye to the inner, around the dog’s eyes, and from the center to the periphery.
Only those products that are intended for this purpose can be injected directly into the blue eyes!
Carefully read the label and remember that “for washing the blue eyes” and “for caring for the hair around the blue eyes” are far from the same thing!
Try to use solutions and lotions at room temperature when washing your dog breeds blue eyes, or better yet, body temperature. Cold solutions can cause discomfort in the German Shepherds and problems with German Shepherds have blue eyes in the future.
Do not use cold eyewash products!
Strictly observe the expiration dates of lotions and solutions – the blue eyes don’t need extra germs!
If rinsing for 3-5 days does not cause a significant improvement in the condition of the blue eyes and a decrease in secretions, be sure to consult a veterinarian.
If the advice of a general practitioner does not help during the week, do not wait for the “weather by the sea” and contact a veterinary ophthalmologist!
Blue Eyes at the Exhibition
Purebred German Shepherd with blue eyes can participate in dog shows and competitions. The second option for such dog breeds will be better, because there may be problems with exhibitions due to pureblood.
There will be no such problems with competitions. Blue eyes do not affect the strength, endurance, intelligence, and abilities of German Shepherds with blue eyes.
Breeding of a German Shepherd with Blue Eyes
When breeding a German Shepherd with blue eyes, different puppies are often obtained. The most unusual genetic mutation is possible in the form of different eye colors, one blue eye, the second brown, mixed colors in one eye, or standard colors.
Here it is impossible to predict which recessive trait will be, and which dominant one. You can try to calculate the approximate offspring of specialists.
Also, a German Shepherd with blue eyes when crossed with the same representative, there is a very high probability that the offspring will also have blue eyes.
The blue eye is most common, since both parents have blue eyes, although the possibility of brown eyes cannot be ruled out.
The blue eye in such situations has dominance, so if all further offspring will come from two parents with blue eyes, then the puppies will also have a blue eye.
Chapter FAQ
Can German Shepherd puppies have blue eyes?
Usually, German Shepherds have brown shade of eyes.
There are exceptions when the color of the puppy’s eyes from childhood remains the same for life.
Blue eyes.
This color is even rarer like German Shepherds breed. Moreover, this is the appearance of an additional merle gene that simply contributes to the weakening of the black pigment.
Such German Shepherds are considered defective by other breeders. Externally, on the contrary, German Shepherds look very cute and unusual.
How much does a blue-eyed German Shepherd cost?
German Shepherds with blue eyes, unfortunately, are often considered signs of marriage or uncleanness, so the price is usually reduced for them.
Such German Shepherds can be bought in the region of 500-1000 dollars. In some cases, the price may start from $ 200 if all puppies are born with blue eyes.
But there are other situations. Since the blue eyes color gives a special beauty to German Shepherds, many people wanted a dog breed with just such a situation.
To do this, there are special kennels with features in appearance, the price for puppies with blue eyes with a good pedigree can start from $ 800-1000.
According to American Kennel Club, German Shepherds with blue eyes are one of the most common mutants.
Is it rare for most puppies to have blue eyes?
German Shepherds with blue eyes are not uncommon, on average this feature occurs in approximately 1 in 10. But with age, the eyes darken, and many lose the blue eyes color by 3-4 months, acquiring a brown eyes color. Retain the blue color of the eyes, often only a mixture of other breeds.
What does a puppy with blue eyes mean?
A German Shepherd’s blue eyes are usually considered a sign of a mixture of breeds. The usual color are dark brown eyes, brown eyed dogs, or almost black eyes.
Blue eyes are a sign of mutation (which is considered rare), or a mixture of different breeds, for example, Border Collies, Husky, and many others. In such situations, the brown color of Great Danes may be a recessive merle gene. And blue eyes will be dominant.
In this video by @ViralBe, you can see which breeds most often have blue eyes. Spoiler: the most common among sheepdogs, are the Australian Shepherd and the Shetland Sheepdog.
Conclusion
Blue-eyed dogs are one of the most beautiful dogs. Blue-eyed dogs are rare among these beards, but the demand for them is very high. For a blue-eyed animal breed to feel good, it needs proper care.
The American Kennel Club notes that there are almost no blue eyes purebred Germans breed. The eyes of the German Shepherd attract many. Dog owners note that such dogs have a more expressive look.
But no matter what color your shepherd’s eyes are, those eyes are full of love and trust for you. Regardless of eye color, GSDs are loyal to their owners and need to be cared for in return. Leave a comment below the post and tell us your story if you’ve ever seen or even owned a blue-eyed puppy.
