Have you ever wondered how your pet sees the world around you? For many years people have been convinced that dogs can define only black and white Colors, therefore see in them everything. In the films, the dog’s color spectrum was also depicted in red. However, this is not the truth. Are all dogs color-blind? The answer to this important and interesting question is complicated, but it is not a point to be upset. Let’s figure out where fiction is and where the truthful facts are. Enjoy the reading!
Dogs Color Blind: Myth about White and Black
The first to put forward the theory that dogs can see only the outlines and shapes of objects was Will Judy. Even in his handbook “Dog Training”, it was stated that with poor eyesight, dogs see bright spots of black and white colors. Other researchers also provided indirect support for this theory in 1960. It was argued that only primates can define different colors. However, color blindness in dogs became a clear explanation. We have prepared for you answers, which are the most popular in Google on this topic. Check them out below.
Are Dogs Really Colorblind?
The American Kennel Club has proven that dogs see in much the same way as people with red-green color blindness. What kind of colorblind are dogs? Yes, they are. However, dogs are not color-blind in the sense that they see more than black, white, and gray. Of course, their range of colors is limited, and humans can see much more.
Why Are Dogs Color Blind?
In the retina of a dog’s eye, only two types of cones are located. This means that dogs are unable to perceive not only red and green colors but also shades containing any of these colors, such as pink, purple, and orange. Dogs also cannot perceive subtle changes in brightness or color tone.
What Colors Do Dogs See?
Dogs distinguish between shades of brown, yellow, and blue. Also, it can be different types of black, white, and gray. So, how many color receptors do dogs have? If you read the article carefully, you already know the answer, but let’s explain in more detail. The truth is that, like most mammals, dogs only have two of them in their eyes, while humans have three. Each of these cones is sensitive to light with a different wavelength. By detecting different amounts of each wavelength and combining them, our three cones can transmit different signals for all tones of the color wheel, just as the three primary colors can be mixed in different amounts to achieve the same effect.
The Dog: Color Vision and Experiments
Many experiments have been carried out in support of the opinion that the eyesight of dogs sees not only in black and white colors. The essence of one of them was that 8 dogs were taken one at a time to a room with boxes, inside which were placed three empty bowls and one with raw meat. Above each box was a sheet of paper colored dark and light blue, dark and light yellow. A dark yellow leaf hung over a box with a bowl of raw meat. At first, the animals simply got used to the room, and then they were allowed to familiarize themselves with the contents of the bowls, which were previously closed inboxes. At the next stage, two bowls were offered to choose from, over which hung sheets of blue and light yellow. These colors are similar in brightness, and if the animals were guided by brightness, they would not be able to distinguish colors and would go to the bowl, which was under the blue sheet. As a result, the animals chose a bowl with a light yellow sheet of paper hanging over it. Thus, the experiment proves that dogs distinguish colors, and their choice was based precisely on the color.
Observations of dog breeders can serve as confirmation of the fact that dogs can distinguish colors. For example, there are cases when dogs behaved strangely and even aggressively towards people whose clothes were dominated by yellow, preferred toys, and yellow objects.
Don’t be discouraged that your dog cannot see the world as vividly as you. After all, dogs have well-developed hearing and a sense of smell.
Therefore, other receptors fully compensate for this small disadvantage. According to our experts, this does not prevent your pet from living a full life. Have you noticed any problems with your dog about this? Let’s look at it from the other side. If you initially saw how your dog is, you would also feel quite comfortable. It’s another matter if you had something to compare with. And what do you think about all of this? Share your opinion in the comments. Thank you for reading the article to the end. See you very soon on the pages of our blog!