How do dogs see? 4 things to know

At least once in your life, you’ve probably wondered: how do dogs see?
For a long time, it was believed that dogs could only see in black and white. However, various studies have revealed that this is not entirely true. From their limited color perception to their advanced night vision, wide field of view, and remarkable ability to detect movement, let's explore four key facts about how dogs see the world.

Dogs perceive colors differently but can distinguish shades

According to multiple studies, dogs see colors less vividly than humans but can still perceive shades. However, when they are born, they are completely blind, making them dependent on their mother for the first three weeks of life. Once they begin to see, their vision consists primarily of gray, yellow, and blue, which makes their perception dichromatic.
The reason behind this? Pure anatomy. The human retina contains two types of photoreceptor cells: rods and cones. Rods detect light and movement, while cones differentiate colors and brightness. Humans have three types of cones, allowing them to perceive red, green, and blue (trichromatic vision). Dogs, however, only have two.
Because dogs have a limited ability to perceive colors, they rely more on brightness and contrast. This is why they often show an obsession with yellow balls—they appear much brighter against the green grass, which they perceive as gray.

They see better than humans at night

When it comes to night vision, dogs have a significant advantage over humans. Behind the retina, dogs have a reflective structure called the tapetum lucidum, which enhances their ability to see in the dark and detect movement in low-light conditions. This layer reflects light that passes through the retina, giving photoreceptors a second chance to capture it. This is also why dogs' eyes can glow in the dark.

They have a much wider field of vision

Another distinctive feature of a dog’s vision is their wide field of view. Due to the position of their eyes, dogs have a wider visual field than humans, allowing them to see between 240 and 270 degrees, depending on the breed.
This extended field of view helps dogs detect lateral movements more effectively, a crucial skill for playing, hunting, guarding, and even keeping an eye on the pantry, eagerly waiting for their favorite Oasy food!

Their retina makes them highly skilled at detecting movement

A dog’s retina, which contains a higher density of specialized cells called rods, makes them particularly adept at detecting movement.
These cells are more sensitive to light and movement, allowing dogs to identify moving objects even in low-light conditions. This skill is crucial both in the wild and at home, enabling quick reactions to potential threats.
While our dogs excel at spotting moving objects, they struggle with those that are too close. In fact, to see an object clearly, it must be at least 50 cm (20 inches) away from their nose, whereas humans can focus on objects as close as 15 cm (6 inches). Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses!

In conclusion, understanding how dogs see, just like learning more about how dogs sleep, helps us better understand their behavior and needs. Their advanced night vision, wide visual field, and motion detection abilities all contribute to making them keen observers of their surroundings. So, the next time you wonder how dogs see, remember that they have unique and incredibly efficient visual tools that set them apart!