What colors can dogs see?

By Kristia Goodnight

When you look into your dog’s eyes, you might wonder how they see the world around them. While we experience a variety of colors, dogs see colors a bit differently. Dog vision has evolved to serve the unique needs of canines, shaped by their roles as hunters, protectors, and social animals.

Are dogs colorblind? Can dogs see colors or just black and white?

Dogs are not completely colorblind, but they also don’t just see the world in black and white.

A dog’s color vision is significantly limited compared to humans. While we see a spectrum of colors due to having three types of color receptors in our eyes, dogs only have two types of these receptors. This means they can see some - but not as many - of the colors we do. Their color vision is similar to how a person with red-green color blindness would see the world.

What is color blindness?

Color blindness, also known as color vision deficiency, is a condition in which a person struggles to differentiate certain colors. This happens because of an issue with the color-sensing pigments in the eye's cone cells, which detect color.

There are different types of color blindness:

• Red-Green Color Blindness: The most common type, where people have trouble recognizing differences between red and green hues.
• Blue-Yellow Color Blindness: A rarer type where blue and yellow hues are hard to differentiate.
• Complete Color Blindness (Achromatopsia): A very rare condition where a person can't see any colors at all, perceiving the world only in shades of gray.

What colors can dogs see? The science behind canine color vision

Dogs see the world in a different color palette than we do. While humans can perceive a wide range of colors, dogs are limited to seeing primarily shades of blue and yellow.

This means that while they can distinguish between blue and yellow well, colors like red and green are harder to distinguish and might appear as shades of gray or brown.

What does a dog’s vision look like?

A dog’s vision is similar to what a human with red-green color blindness sees, focusing on shades of blue and yellow while missing out on most reds and greens.

How many colors can dogs see?

Dogs can see a limited range of colors: mostly shades of blues, yellows, and some grays.

What colors can dogs see best?

Dogs are particularly good at seeing blue and yellow. These colors appear more vibrant to them, making toys and objects in these hues stand out the most.

What colors can dogs not see?

Dogs have difficulty seeing reds and greens. To them, these colors might appear as shades of brown, gray, or even a washed-out yellow.

Why do dogs have trouble distinguishing certain colors?

The reason dogs have trouble with certain colors comes down to their cone cells, which are responsible for detecting color. Humans have three types of cones, while dogs only have two.

This limitation in their color receptors means they can’t distinguish between red and green tones, leading to a more simplified color palette in their vision.

Do dogs have night vision or can they see in the dark?

Dogs don't have true night vision like cats or owls, but they can see better in low-light conditions than humans. This ability comes from a few key adaptations in their eyes:

• Dogs have more rod cells in their eyes than humans do. These rod cells are more receptive to light than the cone cells humans primarily use for color vision. This allows dogs to detect motion and see in dim lighting.
• Behind their retinas, dogs have a layer called the tapetum lucidum. This acts like a mirror, reflecting light back through their eyes and giving them a second chance at capturing any available light. It's also why their eyes can seem to glow in the dark when you shine a light on them.
• Dogs' pupils can get much bigger than humans, allowing more light to enter their eyes, which helps them see better when it's dark.

So, while dogs can't see in total darkness, they are much better at seeing in low-light conditions than we are.

Dog vision vs. human vision: How does a dog’s vision compare?

Dogs and humans see the world differently. When comparing dog vision to human vision, several key differences highlight how uniquely adapted our canine companions are to their environment. We’ve talked about how humans perceive a wide range of colors and dogs have a more limited color spectrum, but vision is more than just color.

Humans have sharper visual acuity, meaning we can see finer details at a distance. Dogs are not detail-oriented in their vision; they're better at detecting motion, which is important for hunting and staying alert to potential threats.

Humans have a field of view of about 120 degrees, which allows us to see what's directly in front of us and some peripheral vision. Dogs, depending on the breed, can have a field of view ranging from 240 to 270 degrees, giving them a broader range of vision.

This wider field of view is excellent for detecting movement and keeping an eye on their surroundings, which is essential for their survival instincts.

Because humans have binocular vision, where both eyes work together to create a single image, we have strong depth perception, which helps us judge distances accurately. Dogs have a narrower area of binocular vision, which means their depth perception isn't as strong as ours.

While dogs don't see the world with the same richness of color and detail that we do, their vision is perfectly suited to their needs. They excel in detecting movement, seeing in low light, and having a broader field of view, all perfectly aligned with their daily activities.

Does breed type affect a dog’s vision?

While breed type can influence certain aspects of a dog's vision due to physical and genetic factors, the overall visual experience is relatively similar across different breeds.

Breeds that were developed for specific tasks, like hunting or herding, may have vision that is slightly adapted to their needs. For instance, sight hounds like Whippets have a high degree of visual acuity and motion detection, which is helpful when spotting prey from a distance.

Certain breeds, especially those with brachycephalic (short-nosed) features like Boxers, have more prominent eyes with a wider field of view. While breeds with longer noses, like Greyhounds, have a narrower field of vision but may have better depth perception.

What does this mean for your dog?

Incorporating color into your dog’s training routine is an effective strategy to set them up for success.

Using toys, training tools, and even clothing in shades of blue and yellow will make it easier for your dog to spot and respond to them. When choosing colors for training tools or obstacles, also think about contrast.

For example, a blue ball on green grass will be more visible to your dog than a red ball, which will blend in more. This will help your dog track the toy’s movement, making the training session more successful.

Since dogs have difficulty with reds and greens, avoid using these colors, especially in your training tools or environments. These colors appear dull or gray to your dog, making them less effective for visual cues.

If you’re working on target training, use a blue or yellow target to help your dog focus and hit the mark accurately. This can be particularly useful in agility training or teaching your dog to touch or go to a specific spot.

By being mindful of your dog’s color vision, you can use color strategically in your training sessions. This will make training more effective and more engaging for your dog.

Our Lifetime Protection Membership™ Plus includes many benefits, including complimentary 1-year unlimited access to Petcademy, customized training plans based on your goals, video lessons, and individual access to certified trainers to answer your training questions.