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Can your furry four-legged friend even see that yellow tennis ball in the grass?

Not everything is black and white, especially if you’re a dog! Despite a very long-held myth that dogs see the world through a gray lens, researchers now know that although our canine companions don’t see the vast rainbow of colors we humans do, dogs don’t see the world as though it’s a vintage movie.

Dogs can see some colors, just not as many as we can. But just because you are lucky enough to see the beautiful changing leaves each fall doesn’t mean your sight is superior. Dogs have excellent vision and have even evolved to see clearly in the dark.

So, can dogs see color? The answer is yes. Dogs can see color, however not as we see them. Although there has been a misconception that dogs are colorblind and can only see shades of grey, it is now well known that dogs can indeed see colors. The colors they perceive are not at rich or as many as humans can see. 

What exactly my dog can see?

They likely see everything as muted shades of yellow, brown, gray, and tinges of blues.

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What are the easiest color for a dog to see?

Blue or yellow are the easiest colors for dogs to see and the most attractive colors for them to see.

Dog vision

So, the next time your dog can’t find the red ball that you just threw, remember that their world, while still full of vivid blues and yellows, is probably a bit less colorful than your own. But don’t feel sorry for dogs because of this. What they lack in visual ability, they make up for in sense of smell. Their noses have been estimated to be up to 100 million times more sensitive than yours.