Can dog identify colours?

​Yes, dogs can perceive colors, but their color vision is more limited compared to humans. While humans have three types of cone photoreceptors in their eyes, enabling them to see a broad spectrum of colors, dogs possess only two types. This means they primarily see shades of blue and yellow and have difficulty distinguishing between red and green hues. ​

This type of vision is known as dichromatic vision, similar to red-green color blindness in humans. For example, an object that appears red to us may look yellow to a dog, and green objects might appear as shades of gray. 

Despite this limited color perception, dogs have other visual advantages. They have more rod cells in their retinas, which enhances their ability to see in low-light conditions and detect motion. Additionally, they possess a structure called the tapetum lucidum, a mirror-like membrane that allows them to see in six times less light than humans can. ​

Understanding these differences in color perception can be beneficial when selecting toys or training tools for your dog. Choosing items in colors they can easily distinguish, such as blue or yellow, can enhance their engagement and responsiveness.