You’re probably cursing yourself for being reckless when buying your dog. You’re wondering how you failed to notice that it has different colored eyes!
If this is you, then you shouldn’t fret!
It is natural for some animals to have different colored eyes. Here are the details that will save you that trip to the veterinary!
Why Some Dogs Have Different Coloured Eyes
Just like some people, dog’s features are determined by their genetic composition. As such, a dog can be born with eyes of different colors as long as the gene responsible for the feature is dominant.
The most predominant wall eye gene in dogs results in one blue eye and one brown eye. While the phenomenon is rare, this color combination is the most common whenever it occurs.
Are Dogs with Different Coloured Eyes Normal?
Yes, these dogs are healthy and you shouldn’t be worried about keeping them. The feature is hereditary and such dogs obtain it from their parents.
Beside the eyes, most such dogs have uniquely colored coats too. A keen eye will notice some white streaks on the coat.
But why is it so?
At this point, you’re probably wondering how the colors of the coat and the eyes are related, right?
Well, it’s factual that the genes that determine the color of the coat and that of the eyes are closely connected. As a result, an expression of one gene increases the chance of expression of the other gene.
Why Do Some Different Coloured Dogs Have Normal Parents
While the parents may not have the physical features associated with these genes, they are likely to have them as dormant genes. In such cases, the parents have the gene, only that they were not expressed.
As such, these parents can pass the gene to their offspring. Even more crucial, the gene can be expressed and become dominant in the offspring.
Where Else Can Wall Eyes Be Found
Besides the dogs, other animals possess wall eyes genes. They include rabbits, sheep, horses, cattle, and cats. For example, a horse can have a black eye and a blue eye with white patches visible on the coat. Interestingly, some horses manifest two blue eyes which further make them special.
Can Human Beings Have Wall Eyes?
Although rare, some individuals are born with one blue eye and another of either brown or green color. Most such individuals also possess a white streak along their hairline.
Can Wall Eyes Cause Problem
Creatures with walleyes are largely safe. However, dogs have shown a tendency of developing a problem on their blue eye which leads to vision loss. As a result, breeders have consistently restricted breeding of dogs with walleyes to avoid yielding blind or deaf puppies.
Also, horses with two blue eyes have shown a high tendency of developing deafness. Cats and humans with the walleye also have hearing problems. Even worse, the offspring whose both parents have walleyes may develop difficulties in talking and hearing.
Bottom Line
Walleye is a natural phenomenon that occurs due to individual genetic composition. The condition is inherited from the parents.
While having two different colored eyes is largely harmless, some animals with the feature have shown high tendencies of developing poor vision and loss of hearing as they age.
As such, breeders should be careful to avoid breeding animals that may produce wall-eyed offspring.
