Do dogs see in colour?

they experts know because of the eyes and what the rods and cones do, etc, so they know what capacity each eye has, so it is medical that is how they know.

I am sure they probably have done studies to know the true answer. Just like if you donate your body to a university after you die they study your body and that is how they figured out so much about humans. I'm sure they have done the same with dogs as they have with all other animals too. That is how they learn new things, by studying them.

Hi ronald...I have always been told the same, and asked the same questions, HOW do we know they only see in black and white, wonder if someone here knows the answer?..littleowl

I was also taught Dog's can't see color.. but who knows..

There must be a way to test this by the animal's response to strictly colour stimulous. There is a test for people who are colourblind. It is a picture of an elephant in colours that are the same shade of different colours. If you can see the elephant, you are okay, but if you can't, then you are red-green colourblind at least if not full-fledged colour blind.

I have always heard that too. They say that their keen sense of smell makes up for their lack of vision. I think they can determine colors as my dogs have certain color toys that they like. I assume there is some scientific explanation as to why they don't think they can see color but I'm gonna stick to saying they can! LOL

I remember seeing something on TV that basically said that animals like dogs and cats aren't totally color blind, but don't really see colors in the same way that we do. I think they said dogs are mostly colored blind, but can actually see some shades of red that would appear like our browns to them. And, I think they can weakly see blues. Cats are slightly better, but have a hard time with greens, but can see yellows and browns pretty decently. They figured this out because those animals do have color-receptive cones in their eyes, but very few of them.

They have actually found that dogs can see blue. I am not sure about the other colors but I think one way that they determine whether or not they can see color is by monitering their brain waves and showing the dogs objects that are the identical in every way but color one at a time and seeing if a different neuron path is activated for different colors (which is what occurs in our brain) of course this assumes that their brain would respond to color in the same way ours does if they did see color, which may or may not be the case.

I'm not really sure about that.. BUt i think that does not applies to just dogs, but to all animals.. ALl both them has got black and white vision.. BUt for snakes or maybe reptiles spieces, they are able to see colors.. AS one knows, red represents danger in the wildlife, and it's only on the skins of snakes and frogs, are we able to see those colors.. ON top of that, some spieces of snakes knows about that fact and they too have red on their skin, but they are actually non poisonous.. It's just their surivial instinct.. THus, other than reptiles, i think all animals, including dogs, dun see color in their life..

Scientists say they don't have the same receptors in the eyes as humans and so must only be able to see in shades of grey. However Science is often proved wrong and they can't ask if they are right. As they don't even know how the human brain interprets what it sees or how (they only know certain areas of the brain react to certain things) they can't expect to be 100% sure of anything!

Never think about that.I hope dogs can see in colour, anyway. Happy mylotting!

I have heard that they are color blind. This is not to say that they see in black and white but that certain colors are indistinguishable from others. But that is only what I have heard.

Dogs do see in color, just not the same way that people do. Here is an interesting article I found with an explanation: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Do_dogs_see_in_color_or_black_and_white

Yea, I'm sure that dogs can only see black and white. If people had proof they didn't then I'd like to see, but other than that black and white is the only color dogs can see most likely, since other people have said that, and I agree with them.

I would think they must be able to see some colors or shades, because why else does my dog prefer the purple toy from an identical green one? And wouldn't being able to see colors help them hunt? I was always told the same thing as you but I always doubted it.

From what I have read by researching is it is because of the receptors on their retina. Cones are necessary for color vision. If the retina contains only rods, they're only good for monochrome sight. But, it is a good question for him? It is good that he is so inquisitive.

huh?thats new for me.but if the dog sees only black.why is the dog bark if the dog sees the white cat?

I think new science has proven that dogs can see color, but not the same way we do. I think the internet would be of help with this question.

I have always heard that ronaldinu but I don't know that anything has ever been established scientifically or how they would have come to the conclusion. Leave it those curious little minds to test your knowledge.lol. It's an interesting topic though.I will have to research this a little more and if I find something conclusive out..I'll let you know.

I actually think that there is an element of truth in it. My dog used to have a bright red rubber ball-about the size of a tennis ball(i often wonder where on Earth it got to). One day out on a walk when throwing his ball about the place it rolled into a small stream by mistake. The dog went straight into the water and stood sniffing about for it but failing to find it as the water covered the scent. He was right beside it and looked its way many times and to me watching in full colour vision i can only think that bad vision made the ball look, and blend in, with the other stones and boulders in the stream.