10 Dog Breeds with Amber & Yellow Eyes (With Pictures)

As the most varied land mammal on Earth, dogs come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors! We all know though that it’s the eyes that draw us in and never let us go. Have you ever tried telling your dog no when they plead for just a bite? It takes a strong will to resist the “puppy dog” eyes! 

While dogs can have a range of eye colors and even heterochromia, where each eye is a different color, there are few dog breeds that have amber-colored eyes. The amber color is created when the eumelanin gene is altered. 

Very few dog breeds have amber eyes and are most often found in blue, liver, and lilac-colored dogs. If you’re just as enchanted as we are about these stunning eyes, read on to discover amber-eyed dog breeds!


Top 10 Dogs With Amber & Yellow Eyes 

1. Bluetick Coonhound

Height21-25 inches
Weight45-80 pounds
Lifespan11-12 years 
TemperamentAffectionate, devoted, active 

Perhaps one of the most striking dogs, the Bluetick Coonhound is a wonderfully affectionate breed with a beautiful “ticked” coat. With their distinctive coats and soulful braying, it’s hard to miss these guys. 

As nocturnal hunters with one of the highest prey drives among dogs, the Bluetick Coonhound will need an active owner who can feed their need for a job. They’ll run their prey to the ground and return home to curl up with you as they’re utterly devoted to their owners. 

2. Anatolian Shepherd 

Jon Mountjoy, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Height27-29 inches 
Weight80-150 pounds
Lifespan11-13 years 
TemperamentIntelligent, protective, loyal 

Not many dogs can claim an ancient lineage like the Anatolian Shepherd. With records going back as far as 6,000 years ago, this breed has a long history of being an unmatched guardian. 

Perfect for those with livestock or small children to be guarded, the Anatolian will guard with tenacity and has the muscle to back it up. They will need a strong owner who can handle an independent dog and one that isn’t too keen on snuggles. Don’t doubt their loyalty, this breed is just a bit more aloof than others. 

3. Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Height21-26 inches
Weight55-80 pounds
Lifespan10-13 years 
TemperamentAffectionate, loyal 

For those looking for an excellent hunting companion, be it on land or on water, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a great choice. Almost completely unmatched in their water skills, due to their waterproof coats and swimming skills, these guys make great duck hunters. 

Their coats are world-famous for being curly, soft, and slightly oily. This can be a deterrent for prospective owners, but it’s just their waterproof coat doing its job. The Chesapeake is loyal to their families and an athlete that is always ready to hit the ground running. 

4. Weimaraner 

Height23-27 inches
Weight55-90 pounds
Lifespan10-13 years 
TemperamentFriendly, obedient 

Impossible to miss with their silver-gray coats, Weimaraners enjoy a life of popularity among families as they’re excellent with children and easily trainable. Now, this breed can have either amber-colored eyes or blue eyes, so if you’re looking for amber, be specific with the breeder. 

This breed will require vigorous physical activity along with plenty of mental stimulation. Their easy trainability makes them great at obedience competitions and their athleticism complements the agility ring. 

5. Irish Water Spaniel

Canarian, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Height21-24 inches
Weight45-68 pounds
Lifespan12-13 years
TemperamentPlayful, athletic 

Not many can resist the soft, curly coat of the Irish Water Spaniel. Much like other water spaniels, they excel in water sports, including duck hunting and dock diving. This breed has a tireless work ethic and will happily accompany you for an all-day adventure. 

While at home, you’ll see his more playful side come out and he’ll enjoy spending time making his family laugh. Keeping this breed active is important to meet their needs and to prevent destructive behavior. Who wouldn’t want to spend time with this curly, fun-loving pup? 

6. Rhodesian Ridgeback

Height24-27 inches
Weight70-85 pounds
Lifespan12-15 years 
TemperamentIndependent, affectionate, loyal 

While these guys have a reputation for being lion-killers, there has never been a Rhodesian Ridgeback who has killed a lion. Hailing from their native Africa, this breed is an all-star at tracking and braying, leading their owners to the lions. 

Famous for its “ridge” on its back, a stripe of fur that grows backward, this hound is not for first-time dog owners. Strong, independent, and needing physical and mental exercise, the Rhodesian needs a firm owner with time to devote to training and socializing these dogs. 

7. Australian Shepherd 

Height18-23 inches
Weight40-65 pounds
Lifespan12-15 years 
TemperamentIntelligent, active

An extremely popular breed, the Australian Shepherd is a high-energy, tireless herding dog. Bred to herd and push animals much larger than themselves, the Aussie requires a strong owner who can handle their energy and smarts. 

This breed is incredibly smart and detests sitting still. They’ll want to be up and working, making use of their endless energy. They can have either blue eyes, amber eyes, or a mix of both! When properly exercised and stimulated, this breed is affectionate and playful. 

8. Pharaoh Hound 

CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Height21-25 inches
Weight45-55 pounds
Lifespan12-14 years 
TemperamentAffectionate, active 

Another ancient breed, the Pharaoh Hound is a unique breed known to “blush.” This is the only dog breed known to blush when they’re happy or excited by having a reddish glow on their ears and nose. How cool is it to have a dog loved by the gods and can blush? 

Bred to hunt small prey over rough landscapes, the Pharaoh is a quick and active dog. Once they’ve run off their energy, they’re known to be quite affectionate and happy to be around their owners. 

9. Vizsla

Height21-24 inches
Weight44-60 pounds
Lifespan12-14 years 
TemperamentAffectionate, loyal, active 

Most often called the “velcro” dog, Vizslas are known for their tendency to be around their owners at all times. A sleek hunting dog, this Hungarian breed has enjoyed growing global popularity. 

Their velvet-soft ears frame a face that begs you to let them into your lap, despite weighing more than a small child! The Vizsla is an active breed that excels at sports, hunting, and dog competitions. 

10. Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Height10.5-12.5 inches 
Weight25-38 pounds
Lifespan12-15 years 
TemperamentLoyal, affectionate 

While this breed can have many different colored eyes, the merle-coat Cardigan Welsh Corgi will almost always have amber eyes. Often confused with their cousin, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, these dogs can be differentiated by looking at their tails. Cardis have long tails, unlike the docked Pembroke. 

Bred to herd cattle, Cardigan Welsh Corgis are more than happy to curl up with their families after a long day of adventures. Active and stubborn, the Cardi will require early socialization and training to be a well-rounded dog. 


Final Thoughts

While all dogs are wonderful and each breed comes with its own distinct personality, some just melt your heart more than others. If the yellow-golden eyes that look like soft butter call you, check out one of the above breeds. 

Be sure to thoroughly research your chosen breed as we’ve just given a brief overview. Many dogs are bred for specific purposes and will require a job, or at least plenty of exercise. 

A quick fun fact: dark brown eyes are most desirable in dogs due to their ability to block out harmful rays from the sun! So while amber eyes are gorgeous, a little extra care will be needed to protect your pup’s eyes. 

ThePetFaq Team