Gundog Expert Articles

Importance of Eye Colour When Breeding by Keith Erlandson

If you are breeding English springer spaniels or German  pointers and at least one of the parents is liver and white, it is important to pay attention to eye colour. The liver and white specimens of the breeds should have dark eyes, varying from deep hazel to very dark brown.  There is a strong tendency for eye colour in the liver and whites of these breeds to revert to a lighter shade than is desirable, as a higher proportion of dark eyed specimens will make the grade than will be the case with light eyed dogs.  This is inexplicable and some light eyed animals will make decent workers and it is no guide as far as black and whites are concerned.  Nearly all black and whites have lovely dark eyes but this is not indicative of working quality whereas in liver and whites, dark eyes are at least a good guide.

It is interesting that all the German pointers  (shorthaired and wirehaired) which  have been imported into this country, along with German shepherd dogs, seem to be dark eyed, which makes me wonder whether the German 'breedmeisters' who control all breeding, will not allow light eyed specimens to be bred from.

(posted 28/07/2003)