What Colours Can Dogs See

Many people still believe the popular notion that dogs only see in black and white. But that’s not quite true. In fact, dogs see some colours—just not all the ones humans do. If you’ve ever wondered why your furry friend doesn’t chase that red ball on green grass, In this guide, you’ll konw what colours dogs can see, how their vision works, and how you can use this knowledge to choose the best dog toys, bedding, or gear for your canine companion.

What Is Color Blindness?

Colour blindness, also called colour vision deficiency, means a person (or animal) has difficulty seeing certain colours or telling colours apart. In humans, this usually means trouble distinguishing between red and green. This red-green colour blindness is most common and affects around 1 in 12 men in the UK.

In animals like dogs, colour blindness works a little differently. Dogs aren’t truly colour blind—they can see some colours, but not the same range as humans. Their colour perception is limited to certain shades.

While humans have three types of colour-sensing receptors in their eyes (cones), dogs only have two. This condition is called dichromatic vision, and it’s what limits the colours dogs can see.

To be clear, dogs aren’t “blind” to colour altogether. They simply can’t see the full rainbow. For example, red and green likely appear as shades of brown or grey, while blue and yellow stand out more clearly.

This doesn’t bother dogs—most of them rely more on movement, shapes, and smell than colour when exploring the world.

Are Dogs Color Blind?

The short answer: not completely. Most dogs are not truly colour blind in the way humans might be. Instead, they see a limited colour range, similar to a person with red-green colour blindness.

Dogs possess two types of cone cells in their eyes, meaning they see fewer colours than humans, who have three. This gives them a smaller range of colour vision.

What does this mean in practical terms?

• Dogs see blue and yellow best.

• Red, orange, and green likely appear as brownish or greyish.

• A red ball on green grass may blend into the background, making it hard for your dog to find.

According to a study published in Visual Neuroscience, dogs have cone receptors that are most sensitive to wavelengths around 429 nm (blue) and 555 nm (yellow-green) (source).

So, while dogs are not colour blind in the traditional sense, they experience a world with blue-yellow colour blindness to some degree and lack the ability to distinguish red and green the way we can.

How Dog Eyes Work

Dog eyes are designed differently than human eyes. While we rely on colour and detail, dogs rely on movement, light detection, and contrast. This is why they are so good at spotting squirrels darting through a hedge but might ignore a still toy lying nearby.

Here’s how canine vision differs:

1. Fewer cones, more rods:
   Dogs have fewer colour-detecting cones but more rods, which help them see better in dim light. This is useful for detecting motion and navigating in the dark—skills passed down from their ancestors, who were nocturnal hunters.

2. Reflective membrane:
   Dogs have a special layer behind the retina called the tapetum lucidum. This reflective membrane enhances their night vision by bouncing light back through the retina, making the most of even low light levels. That’s why dogs' eyes seem to glow in the dark!

3. Larger pupils and broader range:
   Most dogs have larger pupils than humans, which lets in more light. They also have wider peripheral vision, especially in breeds with eyes placed more toward the sides of their head.

4. Colour perception trade-off:
   While dogs can’t identify combinations of certain colours the way we can, they make up for it by detecting motion and light levels far better than humans.

So, when we talk about a dog’s colour blindness, it’s just one part of the bigger picture. Their eyes are tuned for a different purpose—one that suits their needs as hunters, companions, and loyal friends.

What Colours Can Dogs See?

Are There Other Visual Differences Between Dogs and People?

Can Dogs See in the Dark?

Yes, dogs possess excellent night vision. Thanks to the tapetum lucidum—a special layer in the eye—dogs can make better use of even small amounts of light. Combine that with their more rods and larger pupils, and you’ve got a canine vision system that’s built for low-light conditions.

This doesn’t mean dogs see in complete darkness. Like humans, dogs still need some light levels to form images. But they perform far better in dim light, such as early mornings, foggy conditions, or moonlit walks.

For UK dog owners, this matters most during winter walks. According to the Highway Code, reflective materials are crucial for visibility in the dark. That’s why it’s smart to use collars, leads, and jackets with reflective strips—not just for you, but for your furry friends too. You can also try dog toys with reflective or glow-in-the-dark features for safer play.

Does Breed Affect a Dog’s Vision?

Yes, to some extent. While dichromatic vision is shared across most dogs, certain breeds may experience differences in visual range, acuity, and even the way they use their eyes.

1. Eye Shape: Sighthounds like Greyhounds and Whippets have wide-set eyes, giving them excellent peripheral vision for tracking prey. Brachycephalic breeds (like Pugs or Bulldogs), with more front-facing eyes, may have a narrower field of view.

2. Visual Clarity: Research suggests working breeds—like Border Collies—may be better at detecting motion due to generations of herding tasks. These dogs might also rely more on visual cues in training.

3. Age and Health: Older dogs or those with certain eye conditions (like cataracts or PRA) will naturally lose some of their color vision or brightness sensitivity.

Despite breed differences, all dogs experience red green color blindness and see best in yellow and blue shades. Choosing toys or gear in these colours will support your dog, no matter the dog breed.

What Color Is Best For Your Dog’s Favorite Toy?

If you want your dog to spot their toy quickly, choose blue or yellow. Dogs can discern blue best, followed by yellow. These colours stand out against green grass, brown floors, or sandy paths—making them ideal for play.

Avoid red and green. Due to red green color blindness, these shades tend to blend with surroundings, especially outdoors. A red ball on the lawn may be nearly invisible to your canine friend, while a blue toy will be easy to find.

Today, many dog toys are made with this in mind. Brands are designing products using the colours dogs see best. You can also look for toys with reflective details or glow-in-the-dark features for play during darker hours.

How Good Is a Dog’s Eyesight?

Most dogs don’t have sharp vision like we do. If you were to compare, their eyesight is a bit like looking through a slightly blurry lens.

Here’s what we know:

• Dogs see best when things are moving, not when objects are still.

• They are better at spotting things in dim light, such as early morning or evening.

• They may struggle to see far-away details, especially in bright light.

• Their peripheral vision (side vision) is wider than ours, especially in breeds with long noses and side-set eyes.

While human eyes are built for colour and clarity, dog eyes are designed for low light, movement, and survival.

So, even if your dog doesn’t notice a toy across the park, they might spot a rabbit darting into a hedge from the corner of their eye. That’s because their eyes are more focused on detecting motion than fine detail.

Some breeds (like sighthounds) may have slightly better visual sharpness than others, but in general, dogs trade off colour and clarity for better night vision and motion tracking.

FAQs

Which colors do dogs see best?

Blue and yellow. Dogs have two cone types, tuned near blue and yellow‑green wavelengths, so those hues are clearest. Reds and many greens compress into duller tones. Pick blue/yellow for toys and training targets.

What is the easiest color for a dog to see?

The easiest colour for most dogs to see is blue, followed by yellow. These colours are processed clearly by their two types of color sensing receptors.

What colors can dogs see on grass?

On green grass, dogs can clearly see blue and yellow toys. But red or green toys may blend in, due to their red green color blindness.

What color do dogs avoid?

Dogs don’t actively avoid colours, but they may ignore red or green items because they blend into the background. Choosing blue or yellow makes toys more engaging for your dog.

Conclusion

Dogs don’t see the world like we do—but that doesn’t mean their vision is worse. It’s simply made for different things.

Your canine companion sees the world in blue, yellow, and grey, with great ability to spot movement and navigate in low light. They don’t care much for bright red or green—because those colours don’t stand out to them.