Do Dogs See Colour

Many misconceptions are floating around dogs. Some think that one dog year equals seven human years, while others believe that a cold nose means a healthy pup. Yet, nothing beats a myth about dog vision.

Many assume that pooches can only see in black, white and various shades of grey. However, this is not entirely true. The truth is, dog's cant see the same colours or intensity as us humans, they can still see some colours! 

Human vision is trichromatic, meaning that our eyes have three colour cone cells, each sensitive to its own colour: red, green and blue. Dogs are dichromatic, having only two types of cone cells, sensitive to blue and yellow wavelengths. This means they perceive colours differently than humans and have a more limited colour range.

To better understand how your pup sees the world, a fun tiktok filter went viral which is a great example of how they see colour! 

What Colours Can Dogs See?

Dogs see the world in shades of blue, yellow, and grey. Their vision resembles that of a person with red-green colour-blindness, where reds and greens lose their distinctiveness. Dogs see a limited colour spectrum compared to humans due to their dichromatic vision. Here's what they can perceive:

• Blues and Violets: Dogs can see shades of blue and violet well, as they have cone cells sensitive to blue light.
• Yellow and Yellow-Green: They can also see shades of yellow and yellow-green.

What Colours They Can't See:

• Red, Orange, and Pink: These appear as shades of grey or brownish-yellow.
• Green: This looks similar to yellowish-grey.

Can Dogs See Better then Humans?

Dogs can see better than humans in certain ways, particularly in low-light conditions and detecting motion. Thanks to their rod-rich retinas and a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum, dogs excel at seeing in the dark and spotting movement, even at a distance.

They also have a wider field of vision, allowing them to notice more in their surroundings. A dog's eyes are 10 to 20 times more sensitive to motion at a distance than our eyes, and can see up to 900m away when an object is moving! 

Can Dogs See TV?

Dogs can see TV, but their experience is quite different from ours. With their keen sensitivity to motion, dogs are often drawn to fast-moving images or animals on the screen.

While their limited colour vision, focused on shades of blue, yellow, and grey, means they don’t see the full range of colours we do, they can still recognize certain visual elements.

Modern TVs, with higher refresh rates, display smooth motion that dogs can process, unlike older TVs that might have appeared flickery to them. Dogs also respond to sounds and visuals, such as barking or moving objects, making some more likely to engage with what’s on the screen.

Whether they bark at a dog on TV or simply lose interest, their reaction depends on their personality and curiosity, showing just how unique every dog’s interaction with TV can be.

Do Dogs Have Night Vision?

Yes, dogs have night vision, but it’s not the same as the clear, sharp night vision seen in some nocturnal animals. Their ability to see in low-light conditions is much better than humans.  Dogs have more rods, which help them see things in the dark, bigger pupils also let in more light. Plus, a dog's eyes have a reflective membrane at the back of their eye called the tapetum lucid. The membrane bounces extra light for additional night vision power.

The reason behind such sensitivity is evolution. Natural-born hunters, dogs used to hunt prey before dawn and after dusk. There is no need for high colour sensitivity when you have a nocturnal lifestyle.

What Are the Best Colours for Dog Toys?

As you can see, canine vision is different from ours. That is why next time/ you choose a toy for your pooch, focus on bright blue and yellow. There are no better colours for your pup's next fetch toy.