puppy eye color

Question
QUESTION: I am waiting to find out the eye color of a harlequin puppy.  It was a harlequin to harlequin breeding.  The breeder will not keep the puppy if he has blue eyes.  What percentage of harlequins have blue eyes and when would the breeder be able to tell?  The puppy is 3 weeks old right now.



ANSWER: Is there a reason why they did a Harlequin to Harlequin breeding in the first place? Most of the time that is not going to throw the right color pattern and only very experienced breeders should do this? Before you get set on the puppy ensure that this breeder knows what he/she is doing. Do they provide you with health testing result on the mother and father? This should include OFA(Hips), Cardiac(Heart), Thyroid, and Elbows. Don't sell yourself short because Harlequins can be quite expensive, if you go to a breeder that is trying to sell you a puppy for more than $800 that has no health testing, I would RUN!!!!!!!!!! What is the purpose of their breeding program? Do they show their dogs in Conformation, Obedience, Agility, Working Trials? These are big dogs, and that means a big responsibility, if you buy a puppy who's parents have not been tested, you are risking a lot by purchasing this puppy, and also giving someone money who has no business breeding puppies.

I cannot tell you what percentage of Harlequin puppies have blue eyes because they do not register the eye color when you register a litter, so there is really no way of getting that information. As far as when the eyes will change to their color, it usually happens at 5-6 weeks. Please note that just because the Harlequin does not have blue eyes does not mean that this is a quality puppy. I hope that I have answered your questions and also given you some extra information to think about.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes, the breeder is extremely experienced.  Her lines are behind most major breeders in the US and abroad.  That is why we chose her.  She shows for conformation and agility.  Many of her dogs have gone to Westminster and are featured in many movies and commercials.  I know she will not keep the puppy if he has blue eyes, but should I be concerned that he will have hearing or vision problems later in life?

Answer
I would not worry about the puppy having hearing or vision problems. The only reason she would not be keeping a Harlequin with blue eyes is because that is not a preference in the show ring on a Harl, they are not supposed to have blue eyes. As far as hearing is concerned, the breeder should be knowledgeable enough to let you know if the puppy has hearing problems before she places them. If there is no pigment in the ears, it is a good chance that the puppy will be deaf. But if the puppy is not deaf when it is 7 weeks old, it won't go deaf a few weeks, months, years ect unless there is some sort of underlying defect that is unknown to you or the breeder. Most breeders take their puppies to the vet and the vet will check and tell them which ones may or may not have hearing problems. Normally Harlequins that have an all white head tend to have hearing problems, but that is not the case all the time either. (This is also mainly why is is very important that you have a good contract set up with the breeder)

For example, if you pay a certain amount for said puppy, lets say $1,800. Make sure that you have something written in the contract along the lines that if the puppy is found to be deaf, you will receive a portion of your payment back from the breeder. Like I said before, most of them will know in advance, but puppies are tricky and can fool you. With that being said, I would not pay $1,800 for a deaf puppy although they are great pets they come with A LOT more responsibility, emotionally and financially. This would be a good thing to talk about with your breeder.

Sorry for not getting back with you right away, my weekends are very busy with dog classes and I rarely have a chance to sit down on my computer till Sunday night. If you have any other questions please let me know and let us know when you get your puppy!