Why Huskies Have Different Colored Eyes – The Scientific Reason Behind It

You’ve been planning to have a husky pet dog. But now you came to realize that they have different colored eyes. Which makes you bewildered in disbelief. You’re wondering why huskies have different colored eyes. Whether they’ve poor eyesight or any serious disease.

Well, I understand your reaction. You’ve come to know about such a phenomenon for the first time. The phenomenon has a scientific term called heterochromia. For huskies, it’s common to have different colored eyes. It’s hereditary for them.

Huskies are famous for having these ethereal eyes in different colors and shades. These eyes make people awe. Blue- and brown-colored eyes are common. Plus it doesn’t affect the vision capability. So, let’s start to dive deeper to know more. About why huskies have different colored eyes.

Why Do Huskies Have Different Colored Eyes?

The condition of Huskies having different colored eyes is hereditary. They have different colored eyes due to the phenomenon called heterochromia.

It happens due to any deficiency and excessive melanin pigment in the iris. This doesn’t happen to only huskies but to other breeds, animals, and humans too. What color the iris will have, depends on a pigment called melanin.

The common brown eyes occur due to having excessive melanin. That leads to excessive melanocytes in the iris of huskies. Classic blue or different-colored eyes occur due to a lack of melanin. And that leads to a lack of melanocytes in the iris of huskies.

Is It Normal For Huskies To Have Different Colored Eyes?

It’s normal for huskies to have eyes in different colors. If you don’t have much knowledge about huskies. It’s natural to wonder and get worried. You may think that something isn’t right with them. Or having different colored eyes occur due to any serious health issues.

But no worries, it’s quite normal for huskies to have different-colored eyes or Parti-eyes. These distinct colors occur due to heterochromia. Not only do huskies get different colored eyes but other canines too. Sometimes it occurs in humans too but in rare cases.

What Are The Reasons Behind Different Colored Eyes In Huskies?

Heterochromia:

The scientific term heterochromia describes different colored eyes in huskies. It occurs in the iris, due to any lack or excessive melanin pigmentation. Heterochromia happens from a genetic mutation.

The phenomenon gets passed on through genetics. In the iris, the phenomenon controls the spread of melanin. When the pigment called melanin is missing or lacking in the iris part.

Huskies’ eyes appear blue or light bluish. Blue eyes appear from puppyhood. And get changed to another color later if they have to be. Some of them have Bi-colored eyes and Parti-colored eyes. Being hereditary it’s normal for huskies.

How Common Is Heterochromia In Siberian Huskies?

As we came to know that heterochromia is hereditary. So, it’s quite normal for Siberian Huskies.

You’ll see huskies having blue, brown, green, bi-colored, and parti-colored eyes. Most huskies have blue eyes and brown eyes since their puppyhood. These two colors are classic examples of heterochromia.

Blue eyes appear as a result of a lack of melanin in the iris part. Whereas brown eyes occur due to excessive melanin in the iris part. The blue and brown eyes come in different shades and tones. The light brown with a yellowish tone gives an amber look.

And the light blue gives the white-colored eyes a look. But later their eyes can change colors within 6 months old. If destined. Though green eyes aren’t frequent. And not acceptable by the American Kennel Club.

Do Dogs With Heterochromia Have Health Problems?

There are a lot of misconceptions about heterochromia on health problems. The most common misconception is blindness.

Well, science has debunked this false belief. Having heterochromia is hereditary in huskies. And that doesn’t affect huskies’ vision capability. Heterochromia doesn’t bring any harm. It only influences the pigmentation of the iris part.

But it doesn’t harm the eyesight of husky dogs. Some people also believe that it happened due to crossbreeding. Well, this is also a false belief. Huskies have different colored eyes, purebred too. They’re not a separate breed at all.

Do Huskies Suffer From Eye Problems?

There are three common eye problems huskies suffer. 

Juvenile Cataracts

This disease is hereditary and common in huskies. This terrifying disease starts from their puppyhood. A recessive gene causes the disease. This decreases the ability to enter light into the eyes. Because of a cataract in the lens of the eyes.

PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)

It causes damage to rods in the retina. Firstly, the husky isn’t able to see at night. Afterward, the disease grows into the daytime. It starts in female huskies, a mutation on the X chromosome.

Then passes on to the puppies. If both male and female husky parents have defective chromosomes. The puppy can get complete blindness before it gets 6 months old.

Corneal Dystrophy

This disease causes husky dogs’ cornea a haziness look. It happens to more females than males. It usually doesn’t affect vision capability. Unfortunately, there’s still no cure for this disease.

Conclusion

We’ve discussed everything you should know. About huskies’ different colored eyes. It occurs because of heterochromia. It’s hereditary and quite normal. Huskies are well known for their distinctive beautiful eyes. These eyes make them unique.

Though, there are many misconceptions. About having health issues due to different colored eyes. Remember that science doesn’t support these false beliefs. So, don’t believe in these but try to collect the right knowledge. In case you notice any other unusual symptoms in the eyes. Consult with a professional veterinarian soon. I hope this article helped you to understand each aspect. Thanks for reading.

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