7 Dog Breeds With Dots Over Eyes

In this article I mentioned all the “7 Dog Breeds With Dots Over Eyes“.

Are you ever curious why there are some dogs with dots above eyes while others do not? Some breeds are more prone to displaying this genetic trait but it can also skip a generation.

There must be a purpose to giving dogs a pair of dots over their eyes. Dogs have a lot of personality without them.

We’ll talk about why some breeds of dogs have spotted over their eyes while others do not and how these spots allow them to communicate with other dogs and their family members. In addition we’ll examine specific breeds that are more likely to exhibit these characteristics.

Do Dogs Have Eyebrows? Dogs with Dot Eyebrows

There are very few dog breeds with eyebrow markings that are similar to ours and the main reason is that dogs do not need them. A humans eyebrow serves a practical purpose: to prevent sweat from getting into the eyes. There are no sweat glands in dogs’ paws so they do not sweat like humans.

However eyebrows are also used to communicate feelings. It is the muscles beneath the eyebrows that move them not the tiny patches of hairs that cover the eyes.

It is interesting to note that most animals lack such muscles (or eyebrows for that matter). Dogs do. 

The only muscle they have is short and strong and it lets them raise an eyebrow if you will. There are two such muscles in humans.

A study in Australia found that highly social animals have muscles to move their eyebrows.

A distant relative of dogs the wolf has more facial expressions than a fox which is solitary.

Why Do Dogs have Dots above their Eyes?

Black dog with brown spots above eyes breed are known as tan points. Black-and-tan breeds are most likely to exhibit this trait.

A gene called Agouti is responsible for the black and tan color. Agouti comes in multiple varieties called alleles. 

Depending on which allele a dog inherits from his parents his fur will be colored and marked differently.

If the genes he inherited from his parents are of the same type the dog will have a distinctive black-and-tan color.

These tan points can be found above the eyes on the sides of the muzzle on the cheeks on the chest and sometimes even on the legs.  

Occasionally black spots may appear over the eyes of predominantly tan dogs.

What purpose do the spots over a dog’s eyes serve?

The role facial markings play is little studied but its a well-known fact that dogs communicate primarily through their eyes.

When two dogs stare at each other tension builds whereas when one looks away the tension is being diffused.

Dogs’ eyebrow muscles and spots make their eyes appear bigger.  

A third theory indicates that the tan points are used as decoys.

A dogs tan points may appear as eyes when he sleeps with his eyes closed at least from a distance giving the impression that the dog is alert. Nevertheless that would have been reasonable many years ago before dogs were domesticated.

Today dogs communicate with us more effectively by using their eyebrows. According to one study when dogs are talking to their owner they use more facial expressions than when their owner turns his back and isnot looking at them.

This mock-eyebrow appears to have evolved as a way for dogs to communicate with humans more effectively.

Therefore if you’d like a dog with whom you’ll be able to communicate better you should select one with tan points over the eyes. Here are some breeds displaying this characteristic.

1: Australian Kelpie

Why do kelpies have eyebrows? This breed of dog with dots over eyes belongs to the group of herding dogs. They have short weather-resistant coats due to the fact that they were originally bred in Australia where temperatures are high most of the year.

There are four predominant colors for this breed: black red chocolate and fawn. Generally black Kelpies have tan spots over their eyes whereas chocolate ones have lighter spots. Their coat does not require much grooming but they shed a lot in spring so its a good idea to brush them regularly.

A Kelpie weighs between 25 and 46 pounds and is a medium-sized dog. Their intelligence and ease of training make them excellent pets.

Additionally they are quite energetic and require a lot of physical activity. Their human family is their first priority but they are not as kid-friendly as we’d like them to be.

2: Rottweiler

The big broad-chested dog breeds with dots over eyes seem intimidating at first glance but Rottweilers are affectionate and make great pets with proper early socialization.

Rottweilers weigh between 85 and 130 pounds and are strong working dogs. Their double coats are coarse and short. The rottweiler has stripes on its head and sometimes on the paws right above the nails in tan or rust colors.

You should brush their coat every week as they shed a lot. Drool is another thing they do.

Furthermore they’re excellent bodyguards because they’re very protective of their families and contrary to popular belief they’re very good with children especially if they grew up together. They are also quite intelligent ranking ninth for both working and obedience intelligence.

3: German Shepherd

According to the American Kennel Club German Shepherds rank second in terms of popularity.

The German Shepherd can grow up to 26 inches at the shoulder so if you’re looking for a powerful dog to protect you then its just what you’re looking for.

Despite their seeming aloofness they are loyal and will fiercely defend those they love.

When they are not properly trained however they tend to get a little overprotective treating their family like the flock of sheep they used to herd back in the day.

Theres a good chance they’ll also have spotted over their eyes since German Shepherds are typically black dogs with cream red or tan markings.

A double coat of medium length covers them. Despite the slightly wavy outer coat a quick scrubbing every week can keep it looking good and shiny.

4: Bernese Mountain Dogs

Bernese Mountain Dogs are dogs with dots above eyes and have slightly curly fur and tan points over the eyes that give them an inquisitive and sometimes very funny look.

On the outer coat they have longish wavy hairs. This breed also known as Berners typically has a tricolored coat with predominantly black fur and white and tan markings.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a friendly species that is extremely affectionate with both children and adults.

Dogs are wonderful pets but its important to train them well when they’re puppies otherwise they can weigh up to 115 pounds as adults.

Berners tend to get bored when they do not get enough exercise and will bark until they get your attention until they are entertained. 

5: Gordon Setter

The best description of Gordon Setters is “brains beauty and birds sense”. Due to the fact that they were originally bred as hunting dogs specifically to retrieve quail and pheasants they have a good sense of bird sounds.

A simple glance at them is all you need to know about their beauty.

The best feature of these dogs is their long black wavy coat which requires regular brushing to prevent tangles.

Long hair covers the ears chest belly and legs and tan spots appear over eyes or on the cheeks.

Lets move on to the brains. A Gordon Setter is intelligent and intuitive so it is easy to train them.

Since they bark quite often and also have a tendency to wander you’ll want to train them well. Be sure that your yard has a high fence. 

6: Doberman

Known for their regal appearance sleek coats and muscular bodies Doberman pinschers captivate with their elegant features.

Most Dobermans have tan points and their coats can be black fawn fawn red or blue. These are dogs with two dots above eyes.

Despite their short coats you might think they do not require much grooming. However they shed heavily so weekly brushing is required.

Dobermans have a reputation for being fierce and as they grow quite large in adulthood between 60 and 80 pounds they require good training.

Your pets are more likely to behave like they’re in charge if you do not make it clear from the start that you’re the alpha dog. 

Not just physical exercise but mental stimulation is also necessary for these dogs.

Dobermans can live in an apartment but they’re much more comfortable in a home with a large garden where they can run around uninhibited.

7: Labrador Retriever

You’ll find spots over eyes mostly on black Labrador retrievers and not on all of them. Labrador retrievers come in three colors: black chocolate and yellow.

It was difficult but luckily found a photo of a Labrador with spots over its eyes!

Outside the double coat is smooth and straight while the inside is soft and water-resistant. Labrador coats are close to the body so they need to be brushed daily to get rid of loose hairs.

A mature Labrador retriever weighs between 55 and 70 pounds. These dogs have a rather sweet disposition making them an excellent family pet.

Nonetheless they were bred as working dogs so they are very energetic. Dogs like to play and they need physical exercise.

In the absence of entertainment they might entertain themselves by playing with your slippers.

Labrador retrievers also need to be physically active since they tend to gain weight quickly if they spend too much time on the couch and only get up to eat.

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.