Can dogs see colors? For a long time it was thought that dogs couldn\u2019t see colors \u2014 just black, white and shades of gray. But we now know that, yes, your canine companion does see color, just not in the same way that people with normal color vision do. The colors that dogs can see are closer to what people with red-green color blindness see, and the vibrancy of the colors is also limited.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s start with the anatomy of dogs\u2019 eyes and why they can see color. The retina, or the tissue lining the back of the eye, is where color perception begins. The retina has two main types of cells (called photoreceptors) that sense light:<\/p>\n
Human eyes have three types of cones, each sensitive to different light wavelengths \u2014 red, green and blue. The combined activity of the red, green and blue cones in human eyes is what gives most people the ability to see a full color spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. In contrast, dog eyes \u2014 like those of many other mammals \u2014 possess only two types of cones, those that are sensitive to blue and those that pick up yellow-green. This is called dichromatic vision. Human eyes typically have more cones than dog eyes, which suggests that a dog\u2019s vision may not be as rich or intense as human color vision. Cats\u2019 eyes also have fewer cones than humans, but cats can see some colors<\/a>.<\/p>\n Here are some other dog vision facts: Most dogs can see close objects better than objects that are far away (they\u2019re nearsighted). Your canine companion has the ability to see much better than you in dim-light conditions and is better at detecting motion. Dogs have greater peripheral vision than people and can see about 250 degrees compared to our 180. If you\u2019re wondering, \u201cDoes breed affect a dog\u2019s vision?,\u201d there are genetic differences. For example, some breeds have narrower or wider peripheral vision and some breeds are more prone to eye conditions.<\/p>\n Scientists believe a dog\u2019s color vision is roughly similar to the vision of people with red-green color blindness since they, too, have cones with only two photopigments. So, while people with full color vision see a rainbow of colors, dogs can identify only combinations of dark and light yellow and blue, and also see grayish brown and grayish yellow. However, unlike people, dogs can see the type B ultraviolet (UVB) spectrum, meaning some colors, like white, may fluoresce for them.<\/p>\n Because dogs see color similar to how people with red-green color blindness see color, they have trouble distinguishing shades of red and green. But they are able to discern gray, brown, yellow and blue. So now you know why dogs may have more fun chasing after dog toys of bright blue and yellow hues (tennis balls!), and may have trouble finding a red ball on green grass. A yellow or blue ball is simply easier for your dog to see than a red or orange ball.<\/p>\n Because dogs have dichromatic vision and possess only two types of cones, those that are sensitive to blue and yellow-green, they can\u2019t see red and green like we do. Shades of red or green will look brown or gray to them.<\/p>\n Dogs don\u2019t have true night vision, but they can see significantly better in dim light conditions than humans. Dogs may have fewer cones in their eyes than humans, but dogs\u2019 eyes have more rods, which gives them an advantage when it comes to seeing in low light or quickly identifying very small movements over a wider field. Like us, they can still see color in low-light conditions; the color just isn\u2019t as bright.<\/p>\n Dogs are able to see better in low-light conditions than people due to pupils that dilate wider to let in more light, and a reflective membrane behind the retina, called the tapetum lucidum. This layer of highly reflective cells reflects light back to the retina, enhancing a dog\u2019s low-light vision. The glow you see in a dog\u2019s eyes in the dark is a result of this reflective layer and how it interacts with incoming light.<\/p>\nWhat Colors Can Dogs See?<\/h2>\n
What Colors Do Dogs See Best?<\/h2>\n
Dog Color Blindness \u2014 What Colors Can Dogs Not See?<\/h2>\n
What Colors Can Dogs See in the Dark?<\/h2>\n
When Can Puppies Start to See?<\/h2>\n