Have you ever wondered why your dog prefers some toys over others? Apart from their textural preference, it could be because they can see some colours clearer or brighter than others. If you’ve wondered if your dog is colour blind, you’re not alone. Several pet parents have asked us the same question. The confusion stems from an old myth that puppies can only see black and white. That’s not true.
In this blog, we will get straight to the point and guide you with clear facts on what colours a dog can see and how you can navigate through effective training equipment and toys using colours that work well for your pet.
Key Takeaway Box
The straight answer – dogs are not entirely colour blind. They can see two colours clearly: yellow and blue. This is known as dichromatic (two-coloured) vision. They can see grey as well, but not like humans, who can see a rainbow of colours. So, when it comes to toys and training, you can safely avoid reds and greens, as they would not find them as appealing as yellow or blue.
Are Dogs Colour Blind?
Well, if you think it’s only black and white…then you’re wrong. Can they see a whole rainbow of colours? Wrong again. Dogs have dichromatic vision, meaning two-coloured vision. They can detect only two colours – blue and yellow. This means other vibrant colours like reds and greens are not as clear but are muted and appear as grey or brown shades. It would get a lot easier if you chose props or training equipment with blues and yellows when it comes to teaching your pet new tricks.
How Dogs Actually See Colours
Let’s look at human vision for a minute. Humans have three types of cone cells in their eyes, which allow us to see a wide array of colours. So red, green, and blue, and a combination of shades derived from them. So, if we were to look at a rainbow, we would see red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Dogs, on the other hand, have only 2 types of cone cells – only green and blue. So, through the eyes of a dog, a rainbow would appear as shades of yellow and blue. Colours like red, orange, and green would appear as shades of yellow, brown, or grey. A red ball or red apple would appear as greenish grey, duller in comparison to a yellow or blue ball, which would appear more vibrant.
Dogs’ vision is heightened in low light, so it helps if you use bright yellow tools or equipment to train at dawn.
What This Means in Everyday Life
Learning about the way dogs see the world enables you as a pet parent to improve your training time and basic interactions with your pet. Making small changes like using a yellow ball rather than a red one improves playtime considerably. A red ball may blend into the grass, while a fluorescent yellow or blue one stands out and holds your dog’s attention longer.
When you take your dog to the park, especially in the evening, using reflective yellow leashes improves dusk visibility. Using bright orange cones as part of obstacle courses is great to train dogs, as orange mimics yellow, which engages them for longer and is easy to spot as compared to reds and greens.
Simple choices like using yellow instead of green and blue instead of red reduce the frustration for both pet parents and the dogs, as dogs become more confident while finding yellows and blues easily in the greenery around.
Dog Vision versus Human Vision
| Dog | Human | |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | Dichromatic | Trichromatic |
| Colour range | Only blue, yellow, and grey | Red, green, blue, and other colours of the rainbow |
| Sensitivities | Detect motion and objects better in low light | Unable to see clearly in low light |
| Focus | Wide-angle | Sharp focus |
| Contrast | High-contrast edges clear | High-contrast edges not so clear |
Common Myths About Dog Colour Vision
Myth: Dogs see only black and white.
Fact: They can detect blues and yellows- are dogs really colour-blind? No, that’s outdated information.
Myth: Poor colour vision means dogs are visually impaired.
Fact: That’s far from the truth. Dogs have superior night vision and motion detection, which makes them excellent hunting companions.
Myth: All dogs see identically.
Fact: It is a misconception that all breeds have identical vision. Yes, they all have dichromatic vision (see only two colours – yellow and blue). But their visual strengths vary depending on their breeds; for example, hounds are great at spotting visual contrasts, while others, like herding dogs, are great at motion detection.
FAQs About Dog Colour Vision
Can dogs see red or green?
No. Unfortunately, dogs do not have the third cone in their retinas like humans to see red or green. They have dichromatic (two-coloured) vision. They can see colours like yellow and blue clearly. Reds, however, appear as dull browns or greys, and greens blend as yellows.
Do dogs see colour or only black and white?
Yes, dogs can see colour. Dogs have dichromatic (two-coloured) vision and can distinguish blues, yellows, and variations of these colours.
What colours can dogs see best?
Dogs can see blues, yellows, and high-contrast greys. It is ideal for pet owners to choose toys primarily in these two colours for maximum engagement while training or playing.
Does dog colour vision affect intelligence?
Not at all. Dichromatic vision is an added advantage. Dogs are highly sensitive and can detect motion in the dark far better than any human. They also have a broader vision and can view a wider range than humans can. Dogs can be trained to improve their speed, coordination, and agility, but vision does not affect their intelligence in the slightest.
What Dog Owners Should Do Next
Don’t worry! Your dog’s vision is perfect; in fact, it’s better than yours at night. Having two-coloured vision doesn’t stop your dog from being playful or indicate that their vision is impaired in any way. So, relax!
Invest in bright yellow and blue coloured toys, leashes, and collars to improve their interaction, engagement, and excitement levels.
Try it today! Swap a red toy for a yellow one and see how their excitement level instantly changes. If you still have questions on the specific breed of dog you have at home, reach out to veterinary experts for guidance on improving your dog’s energy and engagement, and consider an eye check-up, too.