Can Malamutes Have Blue Eyes? We Found Out

People often wonder if Malamutes have blue eyes, maybe because Huskies are known for their stunning blue peepers. But the truth might surprise you!

Here’s the scoop: Malamutes never have blue eyes. Purebred Malamutes can’t have blue eyes because they don’t have the merle gene. Their eyes are always brown. 😊👁️

Why Malamutes Can’t Have Blue Eyes

Yep, as shocking as it sounds, purebred malamutes will not have blue eyes.

The reason it comes as a shock to most people is that malamutes are often compared to their much more popular cousin, the Siberian Husky.

Huskies can have two blue eyes, parti-colored eyes, or different colored eyes.

The two breeds look very similar, so it’s understandable to think they would have the same kind of eye colors.

So why can’t malamutes have blue eyes?

Alaskan malamutes do not possess the “merle gene” and therefore cannot have blue eyes. The merle gene is a genetic mutation that affects the color of the skin, coat, and eyes. Heterochromia is the condition whereby there is a lack or imbalance of melanin (pigment) found in the iris.

It’s the pigment in the iris which determines the color. If there is a lack or no pigment whatsoever then the eyes will be blue, but if there is a normal or sufficient amount of pigment then the eyes will be brown.

If You See a Malamute With Blue Eyes

If you’ve seen an Alaskan Malamute with blue eyes, then it’s not purebred and somewhere along the line, crossbreeding has taken place.

There’s a chance that both of the parents are still malamutes, but they themselves may have had crossbred parents (or grandparents).

The purebred Alaskan Malamute breed does not contain or pass down the gene required to have blue eyes.

But, having said that. There is an extremely rare case of a purebred malamute having blue eyes. Lottery-winning odds right there

This is original content produced and published by My Happy Husky: www.myhappyhusky.com

What Color Eyes Do Malamute Puppies Have?

Malamute puppies, even purebreds, will all start life with blue eyes. All puppies, regardless of breed, start life with blue eyes.

Puppies have blue eyes because the melanin (pigment) has not started to develop. And it’s the melanin that gives the eyes their color.

The time frame is different for every puppy but it may be from a few weeks to a couple of months before your malamute puppy starts settling into her natural eye color.

Your malamute puppy will end up having either light amber, brown, or dark brown eyes by the time she is around 6 months and older.

Can Alaskan Malamute Have Green Eyes?

So if blue is out of the question, what about green? Can malamutes have green eyes?

Having green eyes is just as unlikely as having blue eyes. Your malamute may end up with a very light shade of brown that some could say looks slightly green, but in fact, would still be considered brown.

Blue eyes have little to no melanin present, but with green eyes, there is melanin still present, just a slightly under sufficient amount for the eyes not to end up turning brown.

If your malamute is purebred, he’s going to end up with brown eyes. But don’t be disappointed, the shades of brown vary greatly all the way from light ambers to dark walnut brown.

Other Breeds Who Are Capable Of Having Blue Eyes

Although the gene mutation required to have blue eyes isn’t found in Alaskan Malamutes, it can still be found in many other breeds, aside from huskies

Breeds that can have heterochromia:

● Welsh Corgis
● Australian Shepherds
● Border Collies
● Chihuahuas
● Australian Cattle Dogs
● Dachshunds
● Great Danes
● Beagles
● Shetland Sheepdog
● Dalmatians
● Shih Tzus

Other Malamute Article on My Happy Husky

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