Concerned About My Puppy's Eyes

[scooby's mum]

I have a 5 month old blue roan puppy, who I absolutely adore.  However, I am a bit concerned about his eyes - they are really droopy and redness is always visible at the bottom.  On reading the breed standard I believe that the rims should be tight - and they are definetly not.  Is this a problem that I should be concerned about?  

[Woody's Mum]

Sorry I have no advice, Daisys are exactly the same, hopefully someone will have some info for us      

[cbabe]

droopy (Ectropion) eyes did seem to be common in cockers when i was looking for fern - and you are right - they should be tight.

Ectropion eyes are a genetic defect and as such suffers should not be bred from. Depending on their severity they can cause other problems (including proness to infections) OR have very little effect other than their cosmetic appearance.

However cockers do adopt a 'droopy eyed look' when they are tired or want something - are your pups eyes always droopy? Can you post a picture so we can see? Of couse if you are really worried ask your vets opnion next time you are there!

[tobycat]

Sasha's eyes were like that and she was constantly having infections so in the end the vet surgically corrected it and she was fine afterwards.

[scooby's mum]

Thanks for your replies.  

Unfortunately Scooby's eyes are always a bit droopy and red but they are worse when he's tired etc. (can't post a picture as haven't yet got a digital camera!) but I have to say, they make him look more endearing!!  

I'm not particularly bothered myself but was just worried whether they would cause him any problems - just have to hope they don't!  He was the last one left of the litter (the people who chose before me obviously knew what to look for) and, stupidly, I didn't ask the breeder about any flaws, but in hindsight I would have still had him anyway cause he's adorable.
 

[PennyB]

Not all cockers conform to breed standard in every respect so some cockers bascially just normally have droopy eyes.

When Wilf is very tired or sick his droop but generally they're reasonably tight.

[Luvly]

 

[Gilly]

Sometimes if the haws are unpigmented it can make the droopy eyes look worse. Buttons hasn't got droopy eyes but she does have unpigmented haws.

[Jane S]

Another thing to remember is that when puppies are teething, their eyes will often appear redder & droopier but once teething is over, it will not be so noticeable. As Gilly says, those with unpigmented third eyelids are the ones who will look pinker & droopier at this stage.

Jane

[Sue H]

Bramble has quite droopy eyes, but they seem to be much more pronounced when he is tired ... sometimes they are quite normal...

They are such an appealing colour, however, that you sort of fall into them ... not quite hazel but far more 'milk chocolate' than Barley's dark liquid eyes!!

He also has the knack of pinning you down with his gaze - if you stare back, dogs will normally look away, but he doesn't ... we call it his 'Hannibal' look (another 5 seconds and he is going to eat your nose, your lips .....) (all in the name of love, you understand!!!) !!!!