+1 vote
in General Factchecking by Novice (840 points)

This claim is somewhat correct based on the New York Times article that states, "The dogs had no trouble distinguishing red and blue, the colors at the opposite end of the spectrum". The article also stated how "the dogs could not discriminate among colors from greenish-yellow through orange to red". This article explains how some breeds of dogs are different than others and that researchers found that some dogs are able to see shades of blue and red, but cannot see shades of green. This claim is somewhat misinformation because it is generally dogs as a whole and not specifying the types of colors dogs can or cannot see. This claim is backed up by the reliable source of the New York Times. 

12 Answers

+3 votes
by Journeyman (2.7k points)
selected by
 
Best answer

In response to dogs are able to see some colors, but not all, which in fact dogs can only see blue and yellow colors. In an article titled, "Do Dogs See Color," VCA Animal Hospital research states, "Dogs possess only two types of cone and can only discern blue and yellow."

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/do-dogs-see-color

Furthermore, in an article titles, "Can Dogs See Color," American Kennel Club author Harriet Meyers writes,"People missing some of these color-detecting molecules (also known as photoreceptors) won’t recognize certain light wavelengths. This is what makes them color blind, although they actually can make out some hues. Red-green color-blind people can still discern yellow and blue, but items in red will appear gray or brown to them."

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/can-dogs-see-color/

There is a lot of evidence that has been discovered the last few years proving dogs do not see just black and white, which means this claim is not misinformation.

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by Genius (41.0k points)
Nice job providing a detailed explanation, quotes, and more than one source.
+1 vote
by Newbie (240 points)
I agree that this claim is somewhat correct. They can see colors just not every color such as humans. According to this article, "Dog Vision: How Dogs See" goes into a depth of understanding the dogs eyes such as their pupils and what it mean for a dog to see. Researchers believe that dogs can see fewer colors. Dogs have two types of cone receptors that we believe allow them to see blue and yellow,, known as dischromatic vision. They aren't able to distinguish between red, green, and yellow though. Also could see better in the dark that humans.

https://petozy.com/blogs/about-dogs/dog-vision-how-dogs-see
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+1 vote
by Newbie (280 points)

Dogs can only see certain colors such as blue and yellow. It is due to the cones of their eyes being different than humans.

Source: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/do-dogs-see-color

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+1 vote
by Novice (700 points)

This claim is true and there is a specific word for this as well. The article "Do Dogs See Color" states, " Human eyes have three types of cones that can identify combinations of red, blue, and green. Dogs possess only two types of cones and can only discern blue and yellow - this limited color perception is called dichromatic vision" (Llera). The article also states that dogs see color similarly, like purple and blue. Furthermore, they can distinguish between fetch balls because of their sense of smell and not because of the color of the ball. 

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/do-dogs-see-color#:~:text=Human%20eyes%20have%20three%20types,perception%20is%20called%20dichromatic%20vision. 

+1 vote
by Novice (700 points)

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/can-dogs-see-color/

The article above is from an accredited organization that is used in many animal science classes as a backup for research. In the article, Jay Neitz proves that they can see color, just differently than we do. 

"Scientists now believe that a dog’s color vision is similar to that of a person who has red-green color blindness, according to research conducted by Jay Neitz, who runs the Neitz Color Vision Lab in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Washington.

Dogs can make out yellow and blue, and combinations of those colors. This renders a lot of the world grayish-brown. That lush green lawn? It probably looks like a field of dead hay. That bright red velvet cushion? Still comfy, but it probably comes across as a dark brown blob to the dog.

Dog Vision offers an online tool to help you see things as your dog sees them. There are also apps that you can use to see what your dog is seeing at any time."

+1 vote
by Novice (680 points)
edited by
According to this research study, using behavioral testing methods, scientists were able to find that dogs possess cones that are sensitive to blue and green peaks. They are color-blind to a certain extent of colors, but their photoreceptors have been found sensitive to spectral peaks at 429nm and 555nm. Thus, it is true that they cannot see all colors in their natural state, and there is biological pathways that prove so.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/visual-neuroscience/article/abs/color-vision-in-the-dog/5A30E35A384D10B6A2B46B01C896D3D5
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+1 vote
by Apprentice (1.1k points)

Dogs can see some color according to Zay Satchu, DVM, Chief Veterinary Officer of Bond Vet. “Both humans and animals have different types of cells in the back of their eyeballscalled rods and cones—that help them see. Rods detect motion and help with nighttime vision, and cones help with color and detail in what we see. Humans have three kinds of cones, meaning we see color and detail very well, while dogs have two kinds, meaning they can still pick up on colors but probably can’t differentiate between forest and lime green as easily.”

Can Dogs See Color? Or Are Dogs Actually Color Blind? (rd.com)

So yes, dogs do see some color. Their lives are not completely in black and white. They just don't distinguish as many colors as humans do.  

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+1 vote
by Apprentice (1.1k points)

It is true that dogs can only see some colors. Dogs only have two types of cones meaning that they are limited in what colors they can see compared to humans who have three cones. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, dogs have dichromatic vision can only recognize blues and greens whereas humans can identify red, blue, and green. However, dogs have more rods than humans, so even though humans can see more colors, dogs can see colors more brightly which allows them to see better in low light.

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+1 vote
by Novice (720 points)
This claim is correct. According to the American Kennel Club, unlike humans, dogs can only see yellow, blue, and colors in that spectrum. There was a misconception in the past that dogs only see black and white but that is not true because they can see some colors. However, unlike humans, dogs have more rods than cones meaning they are more sensitive to light than color. This is a reason why dogs can't see certain colors that humans can see.

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/can-dogs-see-color/
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+1 vote
by Apprentice (1.1k points)

It is true that dogs can see color but not in the same way humans can. This is due to dogs having more rods in their retina rather than cones like humans. Because of this dogs are missing the red-green cones in their eyes. Therefore, dogs can really only distinguish blue and yellow. This contributes to why they lean more on their other senses especially smell. 

"Dogs developed their senses as nocturnal hunters, tracking and catching their food at night. Therefore, their eyes adapted to see well in the dark and to catch movement." 

Therefore, over time dogs have adapted and more research and studies are still underway for understanding how dogs perceive things through their vision. 

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/can-dogs-see-color/ 

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