Are you a beauty-conscious pet owner who falls in love with gorgeous eyes? Well, if you are, here is some good news! There are lots of dogs out there that have naturally blue eyes, making them appear distinct from other canines. Yes, it is rare, but some dogs win the genetic lottery and get inherited pretty, blue eyes.
A lot of these dogs with blue eyes are also small in size, perfect for apartment dwellers. These affectionate dogs are super adaptable and live within limited spaces quite conveniently. They will easily manage in a small living space, including a studio apartment.
These companion dogs appear attractive, thanks to their gorgeous blue eyes. You would love to show them off in front of your guests. They are often satisfied with indoor play and just need moderate walks for their stimulation.
Blue-Eyed Dog Breeds That Live in Apartments
1. French Bulldog
The bat-like ears are not the only thing that sets the French Dog apart from other breeds. Rather, at times, it has blue colored eyes as well.
This blue eye results from the dilution gene, which affects its melanin production. These genetic change gives this dog a rare blue color. However, the chances are genetically rare.
This dog’s coat is also stunning, and comes in varied colors that may include lilac, merle, blue, or pied.
Though these dogs have gorgeous eyes, this gene mutation raises the chance of certain health problems, especially deafness and some eye conditions, including cataracts and cherry eye.
Being small dogs with a weight of under 28 pounds, these dogs easily adjust to small apartments. As they are not high-energy dogs, they won’t wreak havoc in the home. They would prefer being lap dogs over hyperactive breeds wanting to have a long run outdoors.
French Bulldogs are generally quiet dogs. They won’t bark excessively, and your neighbour would be really happy while having it around.
2. Dachshund
Dachshunds, in rare cases, get the merle or dappled gene, which leads to them having blue eyes.
The chances of this dog having a blue colored gene increase when there is a mating of two dappled parents. This phenomenon is known as double dapple.
With this genetic case, the dog may have fully blue eyes or partially blue eyes. Unfortunately, double dappled dogs are more prone to getting severe vision and hearing impairments when compared to other dogs.
This Reddit thread discusses at length the ‘blueness’ of this dog’s eyes.
Apart from having striking blue eyes and a gorgeous appearance, the Dachshunds are also known for being good-natured dogs. They adjust in small apartments nicely, and their little weight of 16-32 lb is easy to manage even for first-time owners living in apartments.
Thanks to their friendly nature with kids and a friendly demeanour, they make great apartment dogs.
The only issue? They have small hearts and are likely to develop separation anxiety even if you have left them at home for a quick grocery run!
3. Shih Tzu
Blue eyes in a Shih Tzu are rare. They, yet again, are a result of a specific genetic trait.
Generally, this dog has brown eyes. However, as a result of the lack of the color gene for black, they develop blue eyes!
This blue-eyed gene comes with a limitation! Shih Tzu with blue eyes are more prone to experiencing vision problems when compared to dogs with normal brown eyes. This is why the breeding of blue colored dogs is generally prohibited!
PetMD claims these loyal dogs are a good fit for apartment life! Their small size and moderate energy levels make them phenomenal for busy apartment living pet parents. These dogs, with their adaptability to indoor life, are surely the best dogs for small spaces.
Provide them enough mental stimulation through regular exercise, and they’ll be more than happy to be with you in your small apartment.
4. Cardigan Welsh Corgi
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi can occasionally have blue eyes!
In fact, only the Corgis that have blue merle coats are ethically bred while expressing the blue eye gene. A dog that doesn’t have blue merle is discouraged from blue-eyed breeding.
It is the merle gene that leads to these dogs having blue eyes.
These Corgis, also known as the yard-long dogs, have elongated bodies. However, they are still lean and compact enough to fit into the life of an apartment living pet parent. When compared to most other pets, they are much easier to manage in a small living space.
This Reddit Thread also vouches for the fact that these dogs are well-suited for indoor living spaces.
The Best Part? You don’t have to go outside the house for this dog’s routine workout session after a long day at work, as its short legs would ensure an indoor exercise session would be more than enough for its mental stimulation.
5. Boston Terrier
Ever seen a Boston Terrier with a blue eye or both its eyes having blue color?
Well, congratulations!
You have witnessed a rare breed.
Bostons with striking blue eyes look gorgeous, but they are limited! A genetic abnormality leads to this dog having blue colors. The blue eyes are linked to the piebald gene. This gene also impacts the portion of white hair on the dog.
Unfortunately, dogs with blue eyes are at a high risk of developing blindness as they grow!
As far as their temperament is concerned, these dogs are gentle enough to live peacefully in an apartment. With a height of merely 15-17 inches, they don’t need a lot of space to roam around freely.
If you provide this dog with enough physical stimulation, it will showcase an adaptable behaviour to various living situations in return!
6. Chihuahua
If you want a Chihuahua with blue eyes, there is a great chance that they will come with a merle coat as well!
Certain breeds get a natural variation in genes that gives them different eye colours than normal, and the Chihuahua is one of them.
However, it is not a healthy variation. Though these dogs with blue eyes look gorgeous, the merle gene can actually lead to a lot of health issues as the dogs grow. Hearing and vision issues are some possible concerns that dogs may have to deal with.
Originally bred in Mexico, these tiny dogs are great apartment pets.
They are lazy and don’t need a backyard to play for many hours. Rather, they’ll be happy with their regular short walks and would prefer spending most of their time sleeping on the couch.
They surely make ideal family pets for inert pet parents.
Oh, and if you have kids in the house, they’ll make excellent family pets as children really adore them.
7. Weimaraner
A Weimaraner is an energetic dog that has piercing blue eyes.
But, here is a twist!
These dogs are born with blue eyes. As they grow out of their puppyhood phase, their eyes start turning amber or grey. However, despite this change, these dogs still ooze a lot of kindness and charm through their eyes.
Though they are outgoing dogs and enjoy their time in the dog park, they still adjust really well in small apartments. However, you’ll have to give it enough activity time to burn off that excessive energy.
Make sure they get at least two hours of exercise each day, and they’ll never be bored! Rather, as soon as they come back to the apartment, they’ll doze off!
Conclusion
Dogs with pretty eyes are surely a catch. As they are rare, they come with a massive price tag. If you can afford them, make sure that you keep a check on the possible health issues they may develop as they grow.
For your apartment, some dogs that can make great partners are the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Yorkshire Terriers, Catahoula Leopard Dog, Bichon Frise, and Border Collies. These breeds tend to showcase an adjusting behaviour even if you move from a big place to a small apartment!
