Dogs with gold eyes are more common than you might think.
You’re likely familiar with pups that have brown eyes like the Cocker Spaniel or blue eyes like the Siberian Husky. But there are many breeds that display an amber color in their eyes — a result of less melanin in their irises than their dark-eyed counterparts.
Do you want to explore breeds with this striking and beautiful eye color? We’ve compiled a list of the top dog breeds with gold eyes.
Take your pick from big dogs, little dogs, or dogs in between, but make sure you’re adopting your pup from a responsible breeder or a reputable shelter. Ready? Let’s begin!
Before you scroll down this list of the dogs with gold eyes, check out: 10 Most Aggressive Small Dog Breeds! (2023) and 9 Scrunchy-Faced Dog Breeds with Pictures! (2023).
1. Weimaraner
The Weimaraner is a beautiful dog and has been nicknamed the silver ghost by those who know them well. The Weimaraner’s gray coat covers a sleek, streamlined body, giving your dog the appearance of a pup that’s ready to pounce.
Indeed, your dog will enjoy plenty of exercise. If you’re an active individual who has time to commit to providing your dog with plenty of walks or jogs, the Weimaraner may be a good match for you.
Your Weimaraner is a dog with gold eyes, but he wasn’t born that way. Puppies are born with blue eyes which, within a few weeks, will transform into a haunting blue, gold, or gray. Your dog isn’t particularly genetically prone to unhealthy eye conditions, but the cherry eye is sometimes found to affect Weimaraners. If you notice that your dog’s eye color is changing, seek veterinary attention immediately.
Weimaraners are faithful, playful, and excellent family members. If you have young children, socialize them with your dog from an early age if possible, and teach your kids how to handle your dog in a gentle and appropriate way. Once you’ve trained both your dog and your child, they’ll be best friends for life!
2. Pitbull
The Pitbull is a widely misunderstood breed, but for good reason. The dogs were originally bred as bull bait and fighting dogs. As such, they have a reputation for being fierce and aggressive. Without proper training, it can be true. Your dog certainly can show aggression toward other animals and toward people. With experienced training, however, your Pitbull can be just as much a family dog as any other.
Pitbulls come in a range of colors, In fact, there are about two dozen Pitbull colors that you can find through your local breeder or shelter. And, just as your Pitbull’s coat may vary in color, so may your Pittie’s eyes. Green, brown, blue, and hazel are common eye colors for Pitbulls, and all are equally beautiful.
As with any dog, you should notify your vet if you notice any changes in the appearance of your dog’s eyes. Blindness due to progressive retinal atrophy is more common in the Pit than in some other breeds; it can’t be cured, but it’s also not painful. As it’s a genetic condition, you may wish to speak to your vet about testing for this disease.
3. Siberian Husky
You’ve probably seen, in pictures or in person, the deep blue eyes of a Siberian Husky. But did you know that these dogs commonly have gold eyes? The breed is also known to have heterochromia — a condition in which each eye is a different color. In some cases, you’ll notice that your dog’s irises are two colors in the same eye.
Siberian Huskies shed… a lot. Whether you live in a warmer climate or a cooler one, you’ll need to keep a brush (and a vacuum) handy if you’d like to add a Husky to your home. You can keep the shedding down with daily brushing, and you can also help your dog out by giving her a blowout in the spring and fall. It’s absolutely acceptable to take a DIY approach to a blowout, but be sure you do it outdoors.
Siberian Huskies are bred to work and run, so you’ll need to dedicate time to exercise your pup. Running, walking, and hiking are some of the Husky’s favorite activities. Skip the lake, as most Huskies aren’t likely to love getting wet.
4. Dachshund
If you’re looking for a smaller dog than the breeds mentioned above, consider a Dachshund. This is another dog breed with gold eyes, though your pup’s eyes may be green, light brown, or blue. The American Kennel Club recognizes each color with the exception of blue, which is not suitable for showing.
Dachshunds are better known as weiner dogs or hot dogs because of their long, tapered body. A healthy Dachshund will weigh up to 30 pounds when fully grown, though this may vary based on your dog’s genetics and sex. The pups don’t require oodles of exercise; a 30-minute walk once or twice a day will suffice for these little animals.
Despite the somewhat goofy appearance of the Dachshund, these dogs are excellent hunters. Dachshund translates to “badger dog” in German; the pups are low to the ground and excellent at sniffing out badgers. They’re surprisingly brave for their size, too! Your Dachshund is fearless when on the hunt, even if he’s just hunting for tennis balls.
5. Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is next on our list of dogs with gold eyes. These brown pups are built for speed and have been clocked at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. Obviously, this means you’ll need to exercise your dog frequently to make sure he stays healthy and happy.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a stubborn breed at times, but an experienced dog owner should have little issue training one. Teach your pup who’s the leader of the pack from an early age. Use firm commands and stick to the rules. Once your Ridgeback claims a spot on the couch, there’s no turning back.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks need, at minimum, two hours of exercise each day. Runs and walks are great for your dog, or you can bring her to the dog park. These pups will generally get along with other canine companions, even off-leash.
Plan for an adventure should you decide to bring your dog swimming. Some Ridgebacks love to splash around while others will do everything in their power to avoid even the smallest splash.
6. American Foxhound
George Washington had American Foxhounds, and the breed was actually one of the first to be deliberately developed in the United States. The breed dates back to the 1600s and is recognized by the American Kennel Club as registrable for breeding or showing.
American Foxhounds are usually trim-colored — black, white, and brown — with brown or hazel eyes. In many cases, their brown eyes are so light that they appear gold. Their large eyes are very much hound-like, and the breed isn’t generally predisposed to optical illness or visual impairment.
Your Foxhound has a fantastically acute sense of smell, and loves to explore! Keep her stimulated to avoid trouble. Once an American Foxhound gets bored, she begins to look for DIY forms of entertainment. This means your shoes, furniture, and other household items will quickly become chewing games.
7. Barbet
If you love to swim, you may be interested in a Barbet. These dogs with gold eyes love to swim, too, so a day out on the lake will be a weekly adventure with your companion. If you’re not nearby to a body of water, that’s okay. Your Barbet will be perfectly content running around chasing balls or hiking through the woods with his human.
Barbet puppies are smart and easy to train, and they want little more than to make their human happy. You can teach your dog tricks with minimal effort and your pup may make up tricks of his own. Barbets are peaceful, loving dogs that get along very well with children and with seniors. In other words, they make wonderful companions to those who are willing to provide them with the attention they love.
Speaking of attention, your pup’s coat will need plenty. Your Barbet has long, curly hair that’s prone to tangles and mats. Fortunately, Barbets aren’t known to shed. They’re hypoallergenic dogs, so allergy sufferers will enjoy having the dogs around. Frequent grooming will be necessary; use a pin brush and a comb, and spritz your dog with a leave-in conditioner.
8. Canaan Dog
Canaan Dogs are popular in Israel; they’re the country’s national dog! The pups are recognized by the AKC, and the breed is growing in popularity since they gained recognition in 1997. However, dogs are rare. There are only estimated to be between 1,000 and 5,000 on the planet. Approximately 1,000 of all Canaan dogs are presently residing in Israel.
Should you choose to adopt a Canaan Dog, you’ll be bringing home a calm, docile, and sweet family member. The dogs are wonderful companions to children, though they may not always appreciate the presence of other pets. Be sure you give your Canaan Dog plenty of attention. Your dog will likely be a barker, so you’ll need to teach him manners from an early age.
Fortunately, your Canaan Dog is known for keeping himself clean. He’ll need infrequent baths, and his short hair makes for easy brushing. Use a slicker brush every other day to remove dead hair. If you’d like, you can bring your pup in for a blowout during shedding season each year.
9. Dogue de Bordeaux
Are you looking for a very large companion? If so, the next dog with gold eyes on our list may be perfect for you! The Dogue de Bordeaux is a Mastiff breed that can grow to weigh up to 110 pounds. The stocky dogs are powerful and courageous, and they’ll protect their pack for a lifetime. Consider yourself lucky if you become a member of a Dogue de Bordeaux’s pack.
The Dogue de Bordeaux is a prolific shedder. It will be absolutely essential to your household’s cleanliness to brush your dog frequently and to blow him out at least twice each year.
Between grooming sessions by a professional, you can plan to bathe your dog approximately once per month. If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, he’s likely to pick up sticks, dirt, and other bits of nature. A bath and a detangling spray will help keep his hair from matting.
When you adopt this breed, you can expect to bring home a sweet, loving dog. Of course, you’ll want your pup to live a long and healthy life. Bring your dog to the vet regularly; they can check for heart problems and issues with his hips, shoulders, and elbows. All are common within the breed, and early detection can help your dog live out his lifespan of five to eight years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Green eyes are the rarest for dogs, while brown is the most common color.
A lack of melanin causes heterochromia, a condition where the eye colors aren’t the same. In dogs, this hereditary condition is not a cause for concern.
Dogs with light eyes are not inherently unhealthy, so don’t assume there will be vision or hearing defects.
Conclusion for “Dogs with Gold Eyes – Top Breeds”
If you’re looking for a companion with a unique look, you’ll want to check out our list of dogs with gold eyes. These breeds range in size from very small to over a hundred pounds. It’s up to you to choose the dog breed that best fits your family and your lifestyle.
Your dog may come from a responsible breeder, or you may choose to rescue one of the thousands of pups that are placed in shelters each year.
Whichever route you take, your dog with golden eyes will be a healthy and happy addition to your family member with appropriate exercise, diet, and veterinary care.
You can check out these other interesting dog breeds from our team:
Learn more by watching “22 Awesome Dog Breeds With Gold Eyes Or Amber Eyes” below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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