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When Do Puppy Dog Eyes Change Color From Blue?

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Today we will be talking about when puppy dog eyes change color from blue. Your puppy dog eyes will begin to change from the color blue when they are 9 to 12 weeks old. Within this period, the puppy dog eyes hue will start to change and gradually take a permanent color.

While this transition usually happens in most dogs in the 9th week, it might take up to 12 weeks for some puppy dog eyes to fully transition.

Why Are Puppy Dog Eyes Blue at Birth?

All puppies are born with puppy dog eyes that are blue or at least some tint of blue. A puppy’s puppy dog eyes remain closed for the first few days, typically between eight and fourteen days. From week two they begin to slowly but gradually open their puppy dog eyes.

As a dog owner, you’ll notice that your puppy dog eyes are of some tinge of blue when they first open their peepers. This tone will remain until it starts transitioning to a permanent one from week nine, marking the change in puppy dog eyes.

Typically, a puppy will have puppy dog eyes colored from when they were born till they are 8 weeks old.

Melanin and Puppy Dog Eyes

Puppy dog eyes are blue because they have no melanin in their iris at the time of birth. Because of this, the puppy dog eyes appear blue when they finally open them after the first few days. The melanin only starts developing as they grow older, explaining why the puppy dog eyes color changes and gradually takes a more permanent hue from week nine. It is not sudden but a gradual process in puppy dog eyes.

Puppies lose their puppy dog eyes blue color as they begin the melanin development in their irises; this typically occurs from 9 to 12 weeks.

Puppy Dog Eyes

Puppy Dog Eyes Development Stages

In the first week of their life, puppies remain essentially blind and will feel their way around their surroundings before using their puppy dog eyes. After they open their puppy dog eyes, which usually happens between the second and third week, it will take several weeks for the puppy dog eyes to fully mature and take a permanent color.

The growth of melanin is primarily responsible for the puppy dog eyes color changes and partly determines the permanent hue your puppy dog eyes will take. The amount of melanin produced will impact how dark the shade will be on your puppy dog eyes and vice versa.

When Can You Tell Your Puppy Dog’s Eye Color?

You can only tell your puppy dog’s eye color after it has fully matured. The color of your puppy dog’s eyes will gradually change in the first three months after birth. Once the puppy dog eyes are fully developed, typically after 12 weeks, you can tell the permanent puppy dog eyes color. The permanent puppy dog eyes color may not emerge until after 21 to 28 days.

From then on, you may start noticing your puppy dog eyes get darker or more toned as the weeks pass by until they are fully matured. However, if you still can’t tell the color of your puppy dog eyes by the end of three months, you may need to check with the vet for a proper diagnosis about your puppy dog eyes.

Do Some Dogs Have Permanent Blue Puppy Dog Eyes?

Although it is rare, there are dogs with permanent blue puppy dog eyes, and it’s not uncommon to see it in some breeds with puppy dog eyes.As you already know, breeds are not the same when it comes to puppy dog eyes coloring.

Some dogs, like border collies, Australian shepherds, Siberian huskies, and Cardigan Welsh corgis have permanent blue puppy dog eyes.

Reasons Why Some Breeds Have Blue Puppy Dog Eyes

There are different reasons why some breeds have blue puppy dog eyes. These include:

1. Genes

This is the primary factor that determines puppy dog eyes color. Some breeds, like Siberian huskies and border collies, have unique genes that create their permanent blue puppy dog eyes.

However, unlike merle dogs, they don’t have any health risks associated with their genes related to puppy dog eyes.

2. The Merle Gene

Dogs with the merle coat color are likely to have permanent blue puppy dog eyes more than those that don’t. The gene dilutes the fur, face, and eye pigmentation, which results in bright blue puppy dog eyes.

However, there are some health risks that surround the merle coat color in dogs with puppy dog eyes.

3. White Patches

Dogs that have white patches around the face are also likely to have blue puppy dog eyes. In fact, the more dominant the patches are, the higher the potential for blue puppy dog eyes.

The white patches result from the inability to produce pigmentation around the face, including the puppy dog eyes.

4. Albinism

Albinism causes excessive pigmentation loss that results in blue puppy dog eyes, pink noses, and white skin.

5. Heterochromia

This is a condition that causes dogs to have two different puppy dog eye colors. Heterochromia can happen due to lack of pigmentation, their genes, or even health issues like glaucoma and cataracts affecting puppy dog eyes.

In such cases, the dog will have different colored puppy dog eyes, most times blue and brown.

Close-up of a puppy showing blue puppy dog eyes while sitting calmly, demonstrating the stages of eye color change in puppies

FAQs About Puppy Dog Eyes

1. How to do puppy dog eyes?
To get this look, slightly lower your head, look up with wide eyes, and keep your face soft and relaxed. It creates an innocent, gentle expression often seen in dogs.

2. What are puppy dog eyes?
This phrase describes the big, soulful gaze puppies give, often appearing soft and pleading, especially when they want your attention.

3. How to draw puppy dog eyes?
Start with large, rounded eyes, add highlights to make them look glossy, and keep the brows slightly raised to create a gentle, pleading look.

4. What does it mean when a guy looks at you with puppy dog eyes?
It usually means he is trying to appear innocent, seek forgiveness, or gently get your attention without using words

5. What are puppy dog eyes in humans?
In people, this refers to a wide-eyed, soft expression used to look innocent or persuade someone, similar to the look puppies give.

6. Why does my dog give me puppy dog eyes?
Dogs use this expression to communicate affection or to get your attention, often when they want treats, playtime, or comfort.

7. What are puppy dog eyes?
It’s the soft, innocent gaze puppies give that melts hearts and helps them bond with their owners.

8. What does puppy dog eye mean?
It means a gentle, pleading look, often describing the way dogs look at people to gain affection or ask for something.

9. What does it mean when a girl gives you puppy dog eyes?
She might be asking for something, seeking forgiveness, or expressing affection in a sweet, non-verbal way.

10. Why do you think dogs make “puppy dog eyes”?
Dogs developed this expression as a way to communicate with humans, strengthening bonds and encouraging care.

11. How to make puppy dog eyes?
Open your eyes wide, soften your brows, lower your chin, and look up gently to give an innocent, pleading look.

12. How to get puppy dog eyes?
Relax your facial muscles, widen your eyes slightly, and add a soft, calm gaze to mimic the tender look puppies give.

“Puppy with soft blue eyes looking up while being gently held in a girl's hands, showing the gentle and loving bond between pets and owners.

Learn More About Puppy Dog Eyes at Effortwiz

If you want to learn what is the most common puppy dog eyes color and if you should worry if your dog has blue puppy dog eyes, visit Effortwiz Pet Care for more trusted information.

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