The Idea of dogs being colourblind has been widely accepted for ages. However, recent research regarding canine anatomy and behaviour has proved that dogs can still see some colours even though they cannot see the same colours as humans. Much as Technicolour is beyond their comprehension, their eyes can see a lot more than shades of grey according to research.
What Is Colour Blindness?
John Dalton, an English scientist, noticed this phenomenon in his research on congenital colour blindness in the late 18th century because he, as well as his kids, could not recognize the same colours. They confused pink with blue, and scarlet with green. Deficiencies in the perception of red-green are the most common forms of colourblindness in humans. These deficiencies result from the abnormality in the colour-detecting molecules in the retina called cones.
The lining behind the eye that converts light into electrical impulses is what is referred to as the retina. The optic nerve transmits these signals to the brain where an image is then formed. Individuals who are deficient in these eye-detecting molecules, also referred to as photoreceptors, do not perceive certain wavelengths of light. These people can actually understand some hues, but this is what makes them colourblind. A person with red-green colour blindness can still identify blue and yellow, yet red items appear brown or grey.
Are Dogs Colour Blind?
No. Dogs are not colourblind because they perceive more than grey, white and black colours. The range of colour that dogs recognize is however limited in contrast to the spectrum that humans see. Basically, a dog’s colour field primarily consists of violates, yellow and blue. The oranges, reds and greens of “humans “are indistinguishable from dogs. Instead, they appear somewhere in the blue to yellow spectrum.
This is because both humans’ and dogs’ retinas contain two types of photoreceptors, rods and cones. However, the dog eye has more rods and no central fossa while the human eye contains more types of cones. This is why humans have vivid visual detail. It also explains why dogs have are better at tracking movement and have excellent night vision than humans, but they see fewer shapes and colours and far less detail in objects.
What Colours Can Dogs See?
What colours can dogs see? Dogs see shades of yellow, brown and blue, as well as shades of white, black, and grey. That is to say, If a dog has a red toy, it looks brown to the dog, but an orange toy with red and yellow mixed in will look brownish-yellow. You should therefore look for blue or yellow toys for your dog if you want to fully engage all of his senses during play. The blue or yellow toys will stand out from the dull brown and grey shades in your dog’s vision. This is why dogs love bright yellow tennis balls
Colour Blindness in Dogs Myths
The idea that dogs can only see in shades of white and black is ascribed to Will Judy, a past publisher of Dog Week magazine, an author, and a lifelong dog lover. Will Judy declared himself the first to claim that dogs had poor eyesight. He also believed that dogs could only see a single shade and colouration, and general shapes and outlines.
Judy noted down in her 1937 manual, Training the dog, that dogs see the outside world as various highlights of grey and black. However, other researchers in the 1960s affirmed that primates were the only mammals with the ability to distinguish colours. There has been little research to support these claims, especially those about dogs. Nonetheless, it soon became clear that our canine companions were colour blind.
What Does This Mean For You And Your Dog?
Now that you are aware of the fact that your dog cannot see certain colours, it makes sense to purchase products that feature colours that dogs can see.
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This knowledge explains why some dogs are enamoured with a yellow tennis ball but are indifferent to the same ball in red or pink. When your dog throws a bumper or a ball for you to retrieve from the lake or lawn, do not choose the red one. Otherwise, your dog may lose it. Furthermore, it is wise to pick one blue and one yellow toy if you are teaching him to distinguish between two toys or obedience training dumbness.
Our Tail Blazers roller ball feeder and dog toys tuff chewers are of high quality and are produced in blue and yellow colours to stand out from the dull brown and grey shades in your dog’s vision. Reach out to us if you need one!
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