Cherry Eye in Dogs: What It Means, Why It Matters, and Why Ethical Breeders Don’t Ignore It
At Gemstone Bulldogges, we believe education matters just as much as breeding.
When people understand the why behind a condition, they can make better choices for their dogs and for the future of the breed.
One issue that gets minimized, dismissed, or hidden far too often is cherry eye.
For us, this topic is about more than appearance. It is about health, structure, ethics, and honesty.
What Is Cherry Eye?
Cherry eye is the prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid.
When that gland slips out of place, it appears as a red or pink mass in the inner corner of the eye. While some people think it is only cosmetic, it is actually a sign that the tissues meant to hold that gland in place are weak.
In other words, cherry eye is a structural problem.
This issue is seen more often in certain breeds, especially bulldog-type breeds.
Why Cherry Eye Matters
Cherry eye is not just about how the eye looks.
The gland of the third eyelid plays an important role in tear production. In fact, it contributes a significant portion of the moisture needed to keep the eye healthy and protected.
When that gland is out of position or not functioning correctly, dogs can be at risk for:
chronic irritation
inflammation
recurring eye infections
dry eye
discomfort
long-term eye issues
This is why cherry eye should never be brushed off as a minor flaw.
How Surgery Fixes It
Modern veterinary treatment does not recommend simply removing the gland, because removal can create even bigger problems later, especially severe dry eye.
Instead, the proper surgical approach is usually to:
reposition the gland
anchor or “tack” it back into place
preserve the gland so it can continue functioning
This procedure can help restore comfort and eye function.
But this is the part many people do not talk about enough:
Surgery corrects the visible problem. It does not erase the structural weakness that caused it.
The dog may look “fixed,” but the underlying defect is still part of that dog’s makeup.
Can Cherry Eye Be Passed to Puppies?
Cherry eye is widely recognized as having a hereditary component.
That means a dog who develops cherry eye may pass that weakness on to its offspring.
When a breeder chooses to breed a dog with cherry eye, they are risking puppies who may also:
develop the same issue
need surgery
experience discomfort
face lifelong eye management
This is how avoidable problems continue in a breed generation after generation.
Why Dogs With Cherry Eye Should Not Be Bred
At Gemstone Bulldogges, we believe ethical breeding means making hard decisions for the good of the breed.
A dog with cherry eye has already shown evidence of structural weakness. Even if surgery makes the eye look normal again, the weakness itself has not disappeared.
Breeding that dog means risking the same defect in future puppies.
That is why, in our opinion, a dog with cherry eye should never be bred.
Ethical breeding is not about asking, “Can this dog still produce puppies?”
It is about asking, “Should this dog be used to shape the future of the breed?”
Those are not the same question.
The Unethical Side No One Wants to Talk About
One of the biggest problems in dog breeding is when a breeder:
surgically fixes cherry eye
breeds the dog anyway
does not disclose the history to puppy buyers or other breeders
That is deeply unethical.
It hides important health history.
It places future puppies at risk.
It creates emotional and financial strain for families.
And it damages the long-term health of the breed.
Transparency matters.
A breeder should never hide a defect just because surgery improved the appearance.
If a dog had cherry eye, that information should be disclosed honestly. Better yet, that dog should be removed from the breeding program entirely.
Our Breeding Philosophy at Gemstone Bulldogges
At Gemstone Bulldogges, we do not believe in covering up problems and pretending they do not matter.
We believe in:
health over profit
honesty over convenience
transparency over marketing
protecting the breed over protecting ego
That means we are willing to make difficult decisions when necessary.
Even when it is disappointing.
Even when it costs money.
Even when it sets a program back.
Because responsible breeders are not supposed to breed every dog they love.
They are supposed to protect the future of the breed.
Final Thoughts
Cherry eye is not “just cosmetic.”
It is not something that should be quietly corrected and ignored.
It is a sign of weakness that matters.
It can affect comfort and lifelong eye health.
It can be passed to future puppies.
And it should absolutely be part of ethical breeding decisions.
At the end of the day, responsible breeding is about more than producing puppies. It is about making choices that improve the breed instead of passing avoidable problems forward.
That is the standard we hold ourselves to at Gemstone Bulldogges.
Call to Action
If you are looking for a breeder who values health, structure, function, and honesty, we invite you to learn more about our program.
Gemstone Bulldogges
Raising dogs with intention, integrity, and purpose.