The Blue Eyed Great Pyrenees Breed

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Posted Oct 9, 2024

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Mountains and Lakes
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The Blue Eyed Great Pyrenees is a beautiful and rare breed, known for its striking blue eyes. This breed is a variation of the Great Pyrenees, a large and majestic dog originating from the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain.

They are a natural guardian breed, bred to protect sheep and other livestock from predators. Their thick double coat and imposing size make them a formidable presence.

Their blue eyes are a result of a genetic variation that causes the production of a higher amount of melanin in the eyes, giving them a blue appearance. This unique feature is a result of their genetic makeup.

Their calm and gentle nature makes them a great companion for families with children, but they do require regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

The Genetics of Dog Eyes

Dogs with blue eyes have a genetic variant that's a duplication of a DNA sequence near the ALX4 gene, which is involved in craniofacial, skin, and hair follicle development.

Credit: youtube.com, A legendary transformation on huge guardian dog 😮 | Great Pyrenees

This genetic variant is a 100 kilobase duplication that may disrupt the process of pigment deposition in the iris during development.

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) pointed to a region of the genome near the ALX4 gene as being associated with blue eyes in dogs.

This study used genetic data from Embark customers and found that dogs with blue eyes carried this duplication.

The newly discovered genetic variant can explain up to 75 percent of cases of blue eyes in the Embark dataset.

More work needs to be done to figure out exactly how this duplication leads to blue eyes in dogs.

Dogs with blue eyes may have a disrupted process of pigment deposition in the iris, but the exact mechanism is still unknown.

Interestingly, another study found that an allele of the ALX4 gene also underlies the presence of hindlimb dewclaws in Great Pyrenees.

Consider reading: Dogs Puppy Eyes

Why Do Dogs Have Blue Eyes?

Dogs have blue eyes due to a genetic variant, specifically a duplication of DNA sequence near the ALX4 gene on dog chromosome 18. This gene is involved in craniofacial, skin, and hair follicle development.

Close-Up Shot of a Great Pyrenees Dog Standing on the Grass
Credit: pexels.com, Close-Up Shot of a Great Pyrenees Dog Standing on the Grass

A study found that some dog breeds, like Siberian Huskies and tri-colored Australian Shepherds, occasionally have blue eyes that can't be explained by known genes.

Genetic data from Embark customers helped identify a region of the genome near the ALX4 gene as a potential cause of blue eyes.

Dogs with blue eyes carry a genetic sequence that includes a 100 kilobase duplication.

This duplication may disrupt the process by which pigment is deposited in the iris of the eye during development.

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) pointed to this region of the genome near the ALX4 gene as a likely cause of blue eyes.

Blue Great Pyrenees Facts

The Blue Great Pyrenees is a rare color variation of the Great Pyrenees breed.

They have a thick double coat with a blue-gray undercoat and a coarser, longer outer coat.

Their blue eyes are a result of a specific genetic combination that affects the production of melanin.

Credit: youtube.com, 99% of Great Pyrenees Dog Owners Don't Know This

The Blue Great Pyrenees is not a separate breed, but rather a color variation of the Great Pyrenees.

They are often referred to as "blue" or "blue-gray" due to their distinctive coat color.

Their intelligence and loyalty make them excellent guard dogs and companions.

The Blue Great Pyrenees requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling of their coat.

Their large size and muscular build make them well-suited for guarding large animals and properties.

The Blue Great Pyrenees is generally a healthy breed with an average lifespan of 10-12 years.

They are naturally wary of strangers and make great watchdogs due to their protective nature.

Their calm and gentle nature makes them a great fit for families with children.

The Blue Great Pyrenees is a relatively low-maintenance breed when it comes to exercise, requiring only moderate activity to stay happy and healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Great Pyrenees have blue eyes?

Blue eyes in a Great Pyrenees are rare and typically occur as a throwback from a distant ancestor. While not the standard, blue eyes can occasionally appear in this breed.

Eileen Kessler

Junior Writer

Eileen Kessler is a rising star in the world of pet-focused writing. With a passion for canine companions, she has established herself as a go-to authority on all things dog-related. Her writing career has taken off, with a portfolio that showcases her expertise in crafting engaging and informative content.

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