Reminder: The selected responses presented below are a reflection of the collaborative effort of Hybrid Wolf Mailing List aka. Wolfdoglist members to share opinions / information about wolf x dogs, responsible "ownership" and breeding practices. This FAQ is not a scientific or veterinary resource. Some responses have been edited for brevity.
Wolfdog FAQ - Question # 19
Does it mean my dog is a wolfdog because he has yellow colored eyes ?
Long answer: Golden or yellow eyes does not necessarily mean your dog is a wolfdog. There are several breeds of dogs out there that have golden eyes. Although my Xochi is a low content wolfdog with golden eyes, I'm more apt to attribute it to her AKC Chocolate Lab daddy that has the most beautiful golden yellow eyes. Yes, her mom has golden eyes as well and probably between the two parents it makes a difference. Point is, daddy had golden eyes.
Another breed I can think of off of the top of my head with golden eyes is the (pardon my spelling) Catahoula Leopard dog.
Val
Most definitely not! My Rottie/Australian Shepherd mix has yellow eyes, and there is no mistaking that he is definitely not a wolfdog. Weimeriners are another breed of dog that has yellowish eyes.
Please do not base your dogs wolfiness on the eye color alone.
Steph
I would have to answer no to this. My 5 yr old female AKC reg'd Alaskan Malamute has yellow eyes. Her eye color was one of the things that I liked about her as a pup when I adopted her, but she is definitely not WD. Actually, she would probably get points off for her yellow eyes is she were being shown in the ring. So although eye color may be one thing one would look for in a WD, it certainly is not the only thing to look at.
Lois
Eye color should never be relied upon as an indication of recent wolf heritage. There are several breeds of dogs which have yellow eyes. The other day, I was watching a re-run of the movie "Turner and Hooch." Hooch had yellow eyes - but I doubt anyone could ever mistake him for a wolfdog.
Pam
Absolutely not. There are lines of Alaskan Malamutes that have yellow colored eyes, as well as other breeds such as the Weimeraner that can have yellow eyes.
Nicole
No. Yellow-ish eyes are not necessarily a Wolfdog identifier. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has yellow to amber eyes. Siberian Huskies can have golden eyes (see Eye Colors of Siberian Huskies for examples). The Kangaal Dog can have amber eyes. You will also see yellow/amber/golden/light brown eyes in Alaskan Malamutes, Golden Retrievers, Chocolate Labs, Vizslas & Weimaraners, although it is considered a fault.
Kat
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