EYE COLOUR

[~JO~]

Hi, I would like a bit of advice - I have got my first whippet who is now 4 and a half months old. He is a lovely dark fawn however his eyes are still quite light in colour. I am going to start showing him this summer and wonder if this is a problem? I know eye colour is not specified in the KC standards, but I was wondering whether the traditional dark eyes are preferred generally?

 

Any comments would be welcomed!

 

[dessie]

Personally, I never take any notice of eye colour in Whippets when judging them and I don't think many judges do. If you were in the USA it may be a different matter!

 

[Claire]

Just a thought

Has eye colour and pigmentation got anything to do with the "dilute gene"?

I have seen many variations of "fawn" with many variations of eye colour and variation in the degree of pigmentation, ranging from liverish colour to bluish to the very black!

 

[Judy]

Hi Joe

He is still very young so his eyes may still darken a bit.

Has he got a mask or any black or blue hairs running through his coat?

If he has a blue mask or hairs then he has the dilute genes and his eyes may stay light which is perfectly acceptable in this country although, as Dessie says, it might be different in the USA.

 

[Karen]

As Dessie says judges dont really consider eye colour very much unless they are startlingly pale, personally I think eye shape is more important, lids that is not balls.

 

[~JO~]

Thanks everybody!

Yes he has got a blue mask, so I think you are right Judy. I think to be honest his eyes will turn to a light hazel as I can see the beginnings already - mind you to be honest I quite like them light!