The eye colors of Akitas make it an exotic pup with a great look. Like any other dogs, blue-eyed Akitas are considered as quite a rare one.
However, since blue-eyed Akitas are not that widely popular, many people might not even know whether they have blue eyes or not. So at this point, it brings up the question that can Akitas have blue eyes or not?
Therefore, to answer all your inquiries this article is going to break down the factors can Akitas have blue eyes, if so then why.
Can Akitas Have Blue Eyes?
Akitas can have blue eyes if it’s a Husky mix. Akitas do have some similarities with Siberian Huskies and one of them is having blue eyes or one blue eye and another brown eye. Therefore, when an odd-eyed or blue-eyed Akita is seen, it’s almost obvious that it’s a mixed breed means Husky mix Akita.
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Akitas have a resemblance to Siberian Huskies in terms of appearance. They both can have blue eyes. Although blue-eyed Akitas are not seen, neither are considered as pure Akita dogs because Akitas only can have brown to dark brown eyes.
So, when a blue-eyed or odd-eyed(one blue eye and one brown eye) Akita is seen, it’s purely because it’s a mixed breed or more commonly known as Husky mix Akita dog.
What Causes Blue Eyes In Akita Dogs?
Mixed breeding causes blue eyes in Akita dogs. When Akita dogs are mixed with Siberian Huskies, blue-eyed or sometimes odd-eyed Akitas are born. And these Akitas are called Husky mix Akita dogs or Huskita.
Purebred Akita dog standards doesn’t allow Akita dogs to have blue eyes. So, all you’re breed Akita dogs are born with brown to dark brown color eyes. So, it’s not common at all to see an Akita dog with blue eyes regardless of Japanese or American Akitas.
Therefore, blue-eyed Akita dogs are a result of mixed breed. When two adult Akita and Siberian Husky dogs are mixed together, their offspring will be born with blue eyes as they will inherit them from their Siberian Husky parent.
Sometimes, odd-eyed Akitas can be born too. It will happen if the Siberian Husky parent has Heterochromia. So, overall mixed breeding is the main cause behind blue eyes in Akita dogs.
3 Reasons Why Akita Have Blue Eyes
Since Akitas naturally can’t have blue eyes, therefore, there are obviously several factors that make their eyes blue. And these 3 major reasons have been explained to make you know the core reasons.
Mixed Breeding
Siberian Huskies and Akitas were often correlated as there are similarities between these two breeds.
Therefore, they were mixed together and it resulted in Huskita (Husky+Akita) puppies who were born with blue eyes. As Huskies are widely adored for their blue eyes and odd eyes, due to breeding with Akita dogs, puppies have inherited blue eyes genetically.
If the Akita dog is bred with a Siberian Husky, it’s kind of possible to encounter an Akita with blue eyes.
Lack Of Melanin
Lack of melanin causes blue eyes in Husky mixed Akitas. These Akitas really don’t have any blue eyes as their eyes don’t have a blue tint.
They seem blue because particles in the stroma layer scatter the Sunday inside and reflect blue wavelengths that are why eyes seem blue. And these dogs get this trait from their Husky parents.
The “Blue Eye” Variant
Siberian Huskies carry the ALX4 gene which is also known as the blue eye variant. And causes blue eyes in huskies also, they carry this blue eye variant gene in the lineage too.
Therefore, when an Akita is bred with a Siberian Husky, the babies are supposed to have blue eyes. Because the gene accountable for blue eyes comes from their Husky parent.
What Color Eyes Do Akita Have?
The eye colors of Akita dogs always have an interesting topic since it makes their appearance exotic. So, exactly what colors Akitas do have that have been clarified with proper justification below.
Brown To Dark Brown
Akita dog breed precept only allows Akita dogs to have brown color to dark brown color eyes. That means all purebred Akita dogs you’ll encounter, they all will have brown to dark brown color eyes. And their eyes will have black rims.
Blue Eyes
Apart from brown to dark brown color-eyed Akita dogs, the only eye color you’ll see in them is blue. And it’s a result of mixed breeding. When Akitas and Siberian Huskies are mixed together, the puppies can have blue eyes. As they have inherited this eye color genetically from their Husky parents.
So, Akita (Huskita) can be blue-eyed or very rarely odd-eyed.
Apart from brown and blue eye color, Akitas don’t have any other eye colors.
Will An Akita Puppy’s Eyes Stay Blue?
Akita puppy’s eyes will stay blue permanently. Because whether an Akita puppy will have blue eyes perpetually or not it depends on its parents and the breed an Akita puppy belongs to.
And, it has been started firmly that, when an Akita is mixed with Siberian Huskies, the puppies can have blue eyes and it will stay permanently. As one of the parents of the puppies has blue eyes so they will get that eye color genetically.
Also, in terms of the type of breed, when Akita and Siberian Husky are mixed, it’s called Husky mix breed or simply Huskita (Husky+Akita) breed. Therefore, this mixed breed of Akita puppies does have blue eyes and the color of the eyes is permanent.
The last fact is, Siberian Husky dog’s breed standard allows the dogs to have blue eyes permanently. So as a child of these dogs of mixed breed Akita puppy’s eyes will just stay blue because somehow they fall into the Husky category too.
Are Blue Eyes In Akita Dogs Bad?
Blue eyes in Akita dogs are not bad at all. In fact, it’s considered as absolutely normal and there is no health problem linked up with having blue eyes.
Blue-eyed Akita dogs are mixed breed dogs, born off Akita dogs and Siberian Husky. And Siberian Husky dog’s breed naturally allows the dogs to inherit blue eyes from their ancestors.
And they pass this blue eye color legacy in their future generation too. Also, such blue eyes have never created any health problems for them.
Therefore, Husky and Akita born puppies with blue eyes will not face any problems either. As they also somehow come under the standard of Siberian Huskies and naturally get blue eyes.
Are Blue-Eyed Akita Dogs Healthy?
Blue-eyed Akita dogs are considered healthy. However, they can inherit the health issues their Akita and Siberian Husky parents are prone to suffer from.
And among all inherited health issues, bloat, hypothyroidism, eye problems, obesity, hip dysplasia are the main ones. Perhaps, all these health issues are considered as inherited ones from the parents but they can be avoided or cured.
If the mixed breed Akita puppy is adopted from a reputable breeder, he is most likely to not suffer from these issues. Because he was taken care of very carefully since the puppy phase.
So, blue-eyed Akitas are generally quite healthy ones unless they inherit any of the mentioned diseases or are taken from an unprofessional breeder.
Are Akita Dogs With Blue Eyes Deaf?
Akita dogs with blue eyes are not typically deaf. However, if both of the parents are a merle gene carrier and they are mixed together to make mixed breed Akita puppies, then there are higher chances that those pups will suffer from deafness.
But as said before, these mixed breed Akita dogs are not likely to suffer from deafness. As none of their parents are prone to the merle gene, neither deafness for some other reason.
And Siberian Huskies are also not likely to suffer from deafness due to blue eyes. So it’s nearly impossible that blue-eyed Akita dogs will suffer from deafness.
What Dogs Can Have Blue Eyes?
Blue-eyed dogs are naturally desirable to dog owners and dog lovers. Because their blue eyes make their appearance exotic and royal.
But probably, not many people know the name of dog breeds that naturally can have blue eyes. So, to let them and you know the breeds with blue eyes, a list full of their breed name has been given below.
- Siberian Husky
- Great Dane
- Dachshund
- Weimaraner
- Australian Shepherd
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi
- Border Collie
- Catahoula Leopard Dog
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Cocker Spaniel
- Alaskan Klee Kai
- Old English Sheepdog
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Shih Tzu
- Boxer
- Pit Bull
- German Shepherd
- Springer Spaniel
- Pomsky
- Huskita
All of these dog breeds have either genetically inherited bite eyes or they are mixed breed dogs that have inherited blue eyes from one of their parents. Sometimes, some of them may even have odd eyes too.
Purebred Akita dogs are not the type of dog breed that naturally inherit blue eyes from their ancestors. Therefore, only mixed breed Akitas or more commonly known as Huskita dogs are more likely to have blue eyes.In fact, if you ever see an Akita dog with blue eyes, just know it’s an offspring of a Siberian Husky and An Akita dog.
Frequently Asked Questions:
When do Akita’s ears stand up?