Imagine a dog with a coat the color of a twilight sky or a deep ocean. Intrigued? While truly blue fur is a genetic rarity in the canine world, several breeds boast stunning diluted black coats that appear gray, silver, or even a striking blue. From the powerfully built American Bully to the charming Kerry Blue Terrier, these 17 dog breeds showcase this unique and captivating color. Prepare to be amazed by their beauty and learn about the distinctive personalities behind these “blue” wonders. Which one will steal your heart?
When it comes to coat colors, the canine kingdom is rife with all different shades, from white to black, and nearly every color in between. The blue coat, however, is a stunning shade on pups, and it almost always causes a double take.
However, what we call blue isn’t actually blue, but a subset of colors, including gray and diluted black, that come together to give that blue appearance.
In order to end up with blue coats, blue dogs must inherit the recessive genes for the coloration from both parents. That said, the blue may present in numerous ways, including the famous and often sought-after blue merle.
Types of Blue Dog Coats
There are four notable types of blue coats: Bluetick, Blue Merle, Blue Brindle, and Blue Harlequin.
A bluetick coloring, for example, is a series of blue flecks or splotches on top of a black or white coat. Blue merle gives the dappled or marbled effect, but the blue is actually a black coat diluted. Those with the blue merle gene also have a greater chance of having blue or heterochromia eyes.
A pup with two copies of the blue dilute gene will end up as a black dog that appears blue yet has a grey nose and grey paw pads. Those with progressive silvering, like the Kerry Blue Terrier, are born black and as they age, their coats lighten.
A dog breed with a blue brindle coat will look as though it has tiger stripes with blue mixed in. Blue harlequins tend to be confused with merle, but it’s a combination of two shades, not three or more, like merle.
Blue Dog Breeds
Now that you know what makes a dog blue, let’s take a look at some of the blue dog breeds out there, from the Blue Heeler to the Mastiff.
1. Australian Cattle Dog
| GROUP | Herding |
| DOG’s SIZE | 17″ to 20″ |
| WEIGHT | 35 to 50 pounds |
| FUR AND COLOR | Smooth, short double coat; blue (speckled or mottled) |
| LIFE SPAN | 12 to 16 years |
If you’ve ever seen an Australian Cattle Dog up close, you know how stunningly gorgeous their coats can be. These herding dogs, also known as Blue Heeler dogs, have a mottled blue coat with patches all over their bodies with a mixture of tan and black.
Australian Cattle Dogs are part of the Australian dog breeds list. The Blue Heeler is very active and does best on ranches and farms where it has a job — and livestock or fowl to look after.
2. Kerry Blue Terrier
| GROUP | Terrier |
| DOG’s SIZE | 17″ to 19″ |
| WEIGHT | 30 to 40 pounds |
| FUR AND COLOR | Short, curly coat; blue |
| LIFE SPAN | 12 to 15 years |
This blue dog breed might throw you for a loop at first because all Kerry Blue Terrier puppies are born black to start… say what?
That’s right, over time, usually 18 months, the pups’ fur starts to lighten up in a process known as “clearing,” and their coat color will eventually range in color from a light blue-gray to a deeper slate color.
The Kerry Blue Terrier dog hails from Ireland, where it was a farm dog that hunted vermin. Today, these blue dogs are domesticated pets and watchdogs.
3. Blue Lacy
| GROUP | Not AKC-recognized |
| DOG’s SIZE | 18″ to 21″ |
| WEIGHT | 25 to 50 pounds |
| FUR AND COLOR | Short, smooth coat; blue shades |
| LIFE SPAN | 12 to 16 years |
Looking for one of the rarest blue dog breeds? Check out the Blue Lacy, which hails from Texas. More than just a beautiful dog, this pup is extremely intelligent. In addition to their blue coats, they may also produce other color offspring, as well.
As for which breeds make up the Blue Lacy, it’s been a topic of debate for quite some time. Many believe it’s a Greyhound, an English Shepherd, and a scent-hound (possibly the Beagle).
What’s not up for debate is that the Blue Lacy is a gorgeous blue dog breed that will make a lovely companion- if you can find one.
4. Bearded Collie
| GROUP | Herding |
| DOG’s SIZE | 20″ to 22″ |
| WEIGHT | 45 to 55 pounds |
| FUR AND COLOR | Long, shaggy, coarse coat; blue, gray, white, brindle, red, brown, or a combination thereof |
| LIFE SPAN | 12 to 14 years |
When you think of the types of Collie dog breeds, the Bearded Collie may not pop into mind because it looks more like a sheepdog. However, it’s one of the blue dog breeds as it produces a partially blue coat that is accented with white.
This sometimes blue dog requires quite a bit of grooming as its long, coarse fur tends to tangle easily. Be prepared to break out the brush on their blue coats a few times a week.
5. Weimaraner
| GROUP | Sporting |
| DOG’s SIZE | 23″ to 27″ |
| WEIGHT | 55 to 90 pounds |
| FUR AND COLOR | Short, smooth coat; solid blue, gray |
| LIFE SPAN | 11 to 13 years |
The Weimaraner genes that produce the solid blue coat are a bit different. They carry brown dilute genes, so their coat is actually brownish-gray. The ones that produce the steel gray-blue Weimaraner carry the dilute black gene, which isn’t standard but is oh-so-gorgeous!
Weimaraners carry themselves very well. These blue dogs stand tall and proud, which makes sense given that they were once royalty dogs that hunted large game.
6. Chihuahua
| GROUP | Toy |
| DOG’s SIZE | 5″ to 8″ |
| WEIGHT | Up to 6 pounds |
| FUR AND COLOR | Long or short coat; multiple colors, including blue, black, fawn, white, and others |
| LIFE SPAN | 12 to 20 years |
The Chihuahua is proof that big things come in little (sometimes blue) packages. Their personalities are larger than life, and they are excellent companions.
However, while a Chihuahuas may have a beautiful blue coat (in both short– and long-haired varieties), it’s not very common at all in the different types of Chihuahuas. In fact, carrying that recessive blue gene is actually rare in this breed.
That doesn’t mean you won’t see a blue Chihuahua. They do exist. And you can bet if you can find one, it will turn heads wherever you go!
7. Neapolitan Mastiff
| GROUP | Working |
| DOG’s SIZE | 24″ to 31″ |
| WEIGHT | 110 to 150 pounds |
| FUR AND COLOR | Short, smooth coat; solid blue, black, tawny, and mahogany |
| LIFE SPAN | 7 to 9 years |
Did someone call for a massive blue beast? Enter the Neapolitan Mastiff. This is truly one of the most breathtaking blue dog breeds on this list, in my opinion, because of its beautiful blue coat and wrinkly skin that just draws me in.
The Neapolitan Mastiff has a history as a guard dog — considering its size, that’s not really a surprise, is it? These blue dogs are also a fiercely loyal breed that is happy to laze about and don’t need too much exercise.
8. Boston Terrier
| GROUP | Non-Sporting |
| DOG’s SIZE | 15″ to 17″ |
| WEIGHT | 12 to 25 pounds |
| FUR AND COLOR | Smooth, short coat; solid colors, or may be mixed with white; blue, red, black |
| LIFE SPAN | 12 to 14 years |
Let’s go to the opposite side of the spectrum now and take a look at one of the smaller dogs with a blue coat, the Boston Terrier.
This happy-go-lucky dog has quite the personality to go with its gorgeous looks. In fact, if you were to create a dating profile for the Boston Terrier dog, there would be no red flags!
Boston Terriers with the recessive blue gene end up with a silvery blue or a distinctly blue coat with white markings, much like the tuxedo version.
9. Italian Greyhound
| GROUP | Toy |
| DOG’s SIZE | 13″ to 15″ |
| WEIGHT | 7 to 14 pounds |
| FUR AND COLOR | Short, smooth coat; comes in multiple colors, including blue, fawn, black, white, and others |
| LIFE SPAN | 14 to 15 years |
The Italian Greyhound looks like a miniature carbon copy of the Greyhound, but the two are very different dogs (despite their similar names) and must be treated as such.
This blue dog breed is not only smaller in stature, but its build isn’t as muscular. Its blue coat is due to the dilute black gene, which can cause a silvery gray coat that casts blue.
Italian Greyhounds are a bit more stubborn to train, but they respond very well to positive training (reinforcement-based). If you have an Italian Greyhound, be prepared to spend time outdoors or playing games to exhaust its energy.
10. Shar Pei
| GROUP | Non-Sporting |
| DOG’s SIZE | 18″ to 20″ |
| WEIGHT | 45 to 60 pounds |
| FUR AND COLOR | Short, bristle coat; blue, cream, black, and brown |
| LIFE SPAN | 8 to 12 years |
The Shar Pei is another one of those blue dog breeds that just draws you in. The loose skin and wrinkles on a blue coat look even more prominent.
The blue Shar-Pei may be very light (silvery gray) or dark (deep slate) in color, depending on its genetics. One thing that remains consistent is its blueish-black tongue.
Shar Peis tend to be very loyal, loving, and affectionate to their owners, though they remain suspicious of strangers and even other dogs, so it’s best that if you own a Shar Pei, it’s the only pup in the home.
11. Irish Wolfhound
| GROUP | Hound |
| DOG’s SIZE | At least 30″ tall |
| WEIGHT | 105 to 120 pounds |
| FUR AND COLOR | Rough, medium-length coat; blue, gray, brindle, cream, black, and others |
| LIFE SPAN | 6 to 8 years |
If you’ve ever seen an Irish Wolfhound from a distance, you might think it’s grey, but upon closer inspection, this gigantic dog (seriously, it’s even bigger than the Great Dane) has a distinct blue coat that comes from the black dilute gene.
Their blue coats also need regular care to prevent tangles.
You might think that the size of an Irish Wolfhound slows it down, but these blue dogs are surprisingly agile. They needed to be to protect livestock against wild wolves. However, this blue dog breed is a total sweetheart and will love you all day long.
12. American Staffordshire Terrier
| GROUP | Terrier |
| DOG’s SIZE | 17″ to 19″ |
| WEIGHT | 40 to 70 pounds |
| FUR AND COLOR | Short, smooth coat; blue, brown, brindle, black, fawn, sable, and others |
| LIFE SPAN | 12 to 14 years |
The American Staffordshire Terrier, often called a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, is often confused with a Pitbull, but it’s an actual breed (where Pitbulls are not). This pup comes in a stunning blue color that is often comprised of white accents.
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a muscular, stocky pup that makes a great watchdog, but it’s also completely at home in your lap, where it is content to laze about. Socialization is a must in a home with other animals and children.
13. Chow Chow
| GROUP | Non-Sporting |
| DOG’s SIZE | 17″ to 20″ |
| WEIGHT | 40 to 70 pounds |
| FUR AND COLOR | Smooth or rough double coats; blue, black, red, cinnamon, or cream |
| LIFE SPAN | 8 to 12 years |
I affectionately call Chow Chows teddy bears because they are just so floofy, you can’t help but want to cuddle them all day long. While they’re commonly seen in red, they also come in gorgeous blue coats, as well.
One thing to note about this blue dog breed: they can be stubborn pups, so they do best in homes with experienced dog owners.
14. Great Dane
| GROUP | Working |
| DOG’s SIZE | 28″ to 32″ |
| WEIGHT | 110 to 175 pounds |
| FUR AND COLOR | Smooth, short coat; blue, brindle, black, white, harlequin, mantle, and silver |
| LIFE SPAN | 7 to 10 years |
Like the Mastiff, the Great Dane is a whopper of a breed. For many people, when it stands on its hind legs, it will tower over you. Great Danes also have a gorgeous blue coat that comes in several shades of blue, from the Merle pattern to the Harlequin coat, which has large patches.
For their large size, Great Danes are actually quite the gentle breed. They love children and will be content to laze about. Great Danes don’t have exhaustive energy needs, and simple walks will be enough exercise.
15. Whippet
| GROUP | Hound |
| DOG’s SIZE | 18″ to 22″ |
| WEIGHT | 24 to 40 pounds |
| FUR AND COLOR | Short, smooth coat; blue, red, fawn, black, white, and brindle, or combinations thereof |
| LIFE SPAN | 12 to 15 years |
The Whippet is a wily little pup that comes in a variety of colors, including a blue coat that has white accents. It very closely resembles the Greyhound, just in miniature stature.
These are high-energy pups, though, and love to stay busy, so you can bet you’ll spend some time outdoors walking or playing games with your furry friend.
The Whippet has a high prey drive, so be sure you train and socialize it early if you plan to have it in a home with other animals.
16. Australian Shepherd
| GROUP | Herding |
| DOG’s SIZE | 18″ to 23″ |
| WEIGHT | 40 to 65 pounds |
| FUR AND COLOR | Medium-long coat; blue merle, red merle, red, black, many with white accents |
| LIFE SPAN | 13 to 15 years |
The Australian Shepherd is another dog that comes with a stunning blue coat. It’s one of the blue dog breeds that commonly has the merle gene, so a blue merle Australian Shepherd will have the typical mottled pattern with blue, gray, and other colors in this dog’s coat.
A herding breed, the Australian Shepherd must be kept busy, lest it become destructive. That doesn’t mean you need to own a farm or a ranch.
You can live an active lifestyle as Australian Shepherds adapt to hiking and jogging very well. They also excel at agility competitions and have a spunky personality that will keep you on your toes.
17. Poodle
| GROUP | Non-Sporting |
| DOG’s SIZE | Toy: up to 10″Miniature: 10″ to 15″Standard: over 15″ |
| WEIGHT | Toy: 4 to 6 poundsMiniature: 10 to 15 poundsStandard: 40 to 70 pounds |
| FUR AND COLOR | Toy: 4 to 6 poundsMiniature: 10 to 15 poundsStandard: 40 to 70 pounds |
| LIFE SPAN | 10 to 18 years |
If you’ve ever seen blue Poodles, chances are you admired their coats. It’s truly a sight to behold. The coat can be a light silvery blue to a deep slate blue, depending on its genes. Poodles also come in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard.
Poodles are one of the best family dogs out there and fit in with just about any household, but you have to be active or at least be willing to entertain your furry friend.
Names for Blue Dogs
I’m always of the mind that if you spend enough time around a pup, they will reveal their name to you. But if you find yourself stumped on what to name your blue dog, here are some ideas to get you started:
- Rain
- Blue
- Smurf
- Stormy
- Sky
- Iris
- Belle
- Sapphire
Breeds to Avoid
If you’re looking for true blue dogs, then you’ll want to avoid any breeds that don’t come in that color. For example, the Great Pyrenees, Bichon Frise, Maltese, American Eskimo, and Labrador Retriever are all dog breeds I would avoid as they don’t come in this color.
FAQs
What Colors Look Best on Blue Dogs?
If you’re looking for a collar or sweater in a color that will complement your blue dog, you should start with the no-brainer: blue. Other than that, there are many colors that work well with their fur, such as pink, black, gray, teal, or cream.
Are There Any Exclusively Blue Dog Breeds?
Yes! There are two that are only blue and come in no other colors or combinations thereof: the Blue Lacy and the Kerry Blue Terrier, both of which are absolute beauts.
Is Blue Color Good for Dogs?
Yes, absolutely, their blue coats are the result of a recessive gene and don’t cause any defects.
Final Thoughts
It can be very tempting to adopt a dog based on its color and looks. In fact, I wholeheartedly agree that with blue coats, it’s the very first thing we notice and causes the heartwarming “aww” to escape.
However, research is critical, and some of the blue-coated dogs may not be suitable for your lifestyle. If that’s the case, there are plenty of pups in many other colors — just as cute, I promise! — that would love to be your next furry friend.
The world of blue-coated dog breeds offers a striking array of choices for potential owners. From the diminutive Kerry Blue Terrier to the majestic Great Dane, these dogs possess a unique beauty that captivates. Beyond their stunning coats, each breed boasts distinct personalities and care requirements. Whether you’re drawn to a playful companion or a loyal guardian, thorough research is crucial to ensure a harmonious match. Choosing a blue-coated dog is more than just admiring their color; it’s about finding a lifelong friend whose temperament and needs align with your lifestyle.