14 Blue Dog Breeds: Pictures, Facts & History

Blue canines, like a Blue Heeler or Kerry Blue Terrier, have a dilute black coat or patterns that give them the “blue” title. Some canine breeds are available in blue as a normal colour, whereas others may have a excessive chance of manufacturing blue pups.

Listed here are the 14 blue canine breeds and the patterns they’ll are available in.

How Are Blue Canine Breeds Categorized?

A number of canine breeds have a blue colour, but it surely’s not truly blue. It’s extra of a silvery grey or ice colour, which is called “blue.” It may be gentle or a steely shade. Blue canine breeds carry the recessive genes for blue coat coloration from their mother and father. So long as each mother and father have the gene for a diluted black coat—which is “blue”—they’ll produce blue pups.

Some canines have blue as a identified coloration, whereas others might get a blue coat or patterns outdoors of the breed commonplace.

High 14 Blue Canine Breeds

1. Australian Cattle Canine

The Australian Cattle Dog has the nickname Pink Heeler or Blue Heeler, the latter of which refers to its frequent blue-mottled or blue-speckled coat. These canines often have some true black or tan markings, however the general impression is blue or crimson. Regardless of these beauty, the Heeler is an clever and resilient herding breed designed to work livestock, which is usually a bit a lot for a brand new proprietor.

2. Kerry Blue Terrier

One of many largest terriers, the Kerry Blue Terrier is a well-known, blue-coated canine that comes from Eire. Bred for farm work and as a watchdog, the Kerry is available in gorgeous shades of deep slate to a lightweight blue-gray. These canines even have attribute beards that assist shield them whereas searching vermin like rats, rabbits, and ferrets.

3. Weimaraner

The Weimaraner is a steely grey searching canine with a dilute brown or black coat. Often known as “Grey Ghost” of Germany, the Weimaraner is a beloved searching canine with a velvety coat and amber or blue-gray eyes. The usual colours for the breed are blue, grey, and silver-gray.

4. Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is without doubt one of the smallest canine breeds and is available in quite a lot of varieties and colours, together with a blue coat that comes from a comparatively uncommon recessive gene. This usually exhibits in a full blue or blue with tan, white, fawn, or brown markings. It’s doable in each long-haired and short-haired chihuahuas.

5. Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie is a droving canine from Scotland that is available in a particular blue coat colour. They usually have shaggy coats with white markings on the face, chest, legs, and tail however a strong blue from the shoulders again. Some Beardies are born with a darker coat colour that lightens as they mature.

6. Boston Terrier

Dubbed “The American Gentleman,” the Boston Terrier is a energetic canine with a tuxedo sample that is available in many colours, together with blue and white. Blue is a recessive gene that isn’t a part of the AKC breed requirements, but it surely’s extremely wanted amongst pet homeowners.

7. Italian Greyhound

The Italian Greyhound is a miniature model of a normal Greyhound used for coursing or as a companion canine. Just like the Greyhound, the Italian Greyhound has a sleek, elegant physique and easy coat that is available in a steely grey colour. These canines aren’t solely blue, however they carry a gene for a dilute black coat that provides them a deep metal colour and blue forged.

8. Blue Lacy

The Blue Lacy is a uncommon canine breed that isn’t acknowledged as a breed in any respect by kennel golf equipment. The canine was developed as a rancher’s companion and herding canine within the 19^th century. These canines carry a recessive gene for a blue coat, in addition to crimson, cream, or tricolor coat.

9. Neapolitan Mastiff

The Neapolitan Mastiff or Mastino Napoletano is an Italian breed of canine of the mastiff sort. They descend from the normal guard canines of central Italy. Massive and imposing, the wrinkled Neapolitan Mastiff is available in a number of colours, however blue is without doubt one of the most typical. Black, mahogany, tawny, and brindled colours are acceptable colours within the AKC breed commonplace.

10. Shar Pei

The Shar Pei is understood for its endearing winkles and guard canine capabilities, however they’re additionally one of many blue canine breeds. They arrive in quite a lot of coat colours, in response to the breed commonplace, so long as the colour is strong or sable. Blue Shar Peis may be lighter blue-gray or a deeper slate colour, some with shading alongside the again and ears. Irrespective of the coat colour, Shar Peis have a blue-black tongue.

11. Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound is without doubt one of the tallest AKC breeds used for big-game searching, but they’re a loyal and mild companion. The gene chargeable for blue coats is powerful within the Irish Wolfhound, giving them a bluish-gray colour with a particular blue tint. Many of the blue Irish Wolfhounds have liver-colored paw pads, noses, and eye rims, offering a lovely distinction.

12. American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a stocky, muscular bull-type terrier with a stiff, shiny coat that is available in quite a lot of colours and patterns, together with a metal grey colour. Apart from Blue, Staffies could also be a blue fawn, blue fawn brindle, and black brindle, which give them a blue look.

13. Bluetick Coonhound

The Bluetick Coonhound is a gorgeous and sleek hunting dog that’s named for his or her mottled—“ticked”—black and blue sample. This provides them the impression of a navy-blue colour with a black head and ears and tan markings on the face, chest, and legs.

14. Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd has a novel merle coat sample that is available in quite a lot of colours, together with a mixture of grey shades that seem blue. The blue merle Australian Shepherd usually has a mixture of black, blue, grey, and white colours. Some blue merle Aussies have blue eyes and even one blue eye, although most have brown or amber eyes.

What Is Colour Dilution Alopecia?

Colour dilution alopecia (CDA) is a genetic recessive inherited situation that causes patches of hair thinning or loss with flaky pores and skin. Sometimes, colour dilution alopecia happens in canines with dilute colours, equivalent to blue or fawn canines. Thankfully, aside from look and skin issues that want therapy, colour dilution alopecia isn’t related to every other well being issues.

Conclusion

Blue canines are available in quite a lot of breeds. In case you have your coronary heart set on a blue canine, there are many choices for searching, sporting, and companion canines alike. It’s essential to contemplate not solely the canine’s seems to be, nonetheless, however their temperament and vitality ranges to make sure they’re match for your loved ones.

Featured Picture Credit score: L.A.Kennedy, Shutterstock