Until relatively recently it was thought that dogs saw in black and white, fortunately, today we know that dogs see in colorand that, in fact, they are able to differentiate some of them without any problem. When choosing a toy it is important to take into account which are the most striking colors for dogs, in this way, we can ensure that they are capable of discriminating them of other toys or distinguish them from the ground.
In this article on our site we have reviewed different scientific studies that show that dogs see in color, but we will also explain which ones are the easiest colors to identify and the most difficult, keep reading and find out what they are!
How do dogs see?
Although the dog's primary senses are smell and hearing, canine vision also plays an important role in its communication, but also when it comes to satisfying its basic needs. However, there are many myths about the dog's sense of sight that can confuse us when it comes to interpreting which colors are most striking to them.
Do dogs see in color or black and white?
Dogs don't see in black and white, is one of the most widespread false myths about dogs around the world. The answer lies in the cones, the light-sensitive cells found in the eye that are sensitive to color and detail [1] While humans have 150 cones and trichomatic vision, with sensitivity to red, blue and green colors, dogs have only 40 cones and therefore have a dichromatic vision This allows you to be sensitive to colors blue and yellow [2][3]
So, do dogs see colors?
Yes, dogs see in color, although of course they are not able to differentiate as many colors as we are, who are sensitive to color red. However, this does not mean that the dog's vision is poorer, in fact, our best friends are excellent night hunters[4], they have asuperior visual acuity and their perception of movement is much more sensitive than ours.
Here we show you the differences between human vision and canine vision:
What colors do dogs see?
According to several studies, the dog is able to distinguish various shades of blue, yellow and gray [1][2][3]On the contrary, they are not able to distinguish green, red, pink or purple. Although a priori it may not seem remarkable, the truth is that it is a surprising fact if we consider that most pet products are red That is due to that are chosen with buyers in mind: humans.
How do dogs see colors?
Below you can see two photographs that compare human vision with dog vision. It cannot be affirmed that it is totally reliable, but according to the studies that are known to date, the photographs are the most representative
It can be clearly seen how the dog would be able to discriminate the color yellow and the color blue, however, red, green or orange would acquire a grayish or brown hue that would prevent them from being 100% differentiated grass, for example. For this reason, if you want to use toys or tools for discrimination exercises, it is recommended bet on blue and yellow, which are the most striking colors for the dog.
