Pet owners across the UK have likely all shared the same thought at one point or another: does my dog see the world in the same way that I do? And we don’t mean in the philosophical sense – we want to know if they literally see things the same way!
To find out, we spoke to British vets about the science of doggy vision, before reimagining British landmarks to look the way that our precious pups see them. Check them out below!
How the world looks to our perfect pets
Brighton Pier
The lights of Brighton Pier may not seem quite as bright to your pooch, but they'll still enjoy a dazzling sunset here nonetheless.
The Cotswolds
If you're looking to visit the Cotswolds with your dog, they'll also be able to appreciate the area's famous honey-coloured hues.
Dartmoor National Park
They may miss the nuances of a sunset here but your dog will still love Dartmoor and its varied terrain.
Durdle Door
With its distinctive arch carved from sandstone, Durdle Door looks great through a dog's eyes too!
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Famous for appearing in the Harry Potter films, this epic view over the viaduct will make your pooch want to climb aboard the Dogwarts Express.
Peak District National Park
While dogs can't see the lilac shades of the Peak District carpeted in heather, their noses will definitely be in for a treat.
Portmeirion
With its striking architecture and gorgeous blooms, there's plenty for dogs to appreciate in this Italianate village in North Wales.
Why does canine vision look different to human vision?
While these pictures look cool, you might have noticed that there are some distinct differences between the images, including the lack of some colours and distortion of the proportions. We spoke with Rhian Rochford, a vet at PocketVet, to find out more.
Do dogs see the same colour spectrum as we do? If not, what colours can dogs see?
Dogs see colours in a slightly different way to humans. They have dichromatic vision, which means that they only see in two colours (blue and yellow), whereas humans see in three colours (blue, yellow and red).
Are there any colours dogs cannot recognise?
Interestingly, instead of seeing red, a dog will see dark brown, while green will be seen as a beige colour and purple a blue tone.
Do dogs have blurred or clear vision?
Dogs have 4-8 times more blurred vision than humans. They also differentiate brightness half as well as humans.
Do we know why dogs’ vision is different to ours?
At the back of the eye, we have something called photoreceptors, and those used to detect colour are called ‘cones’. The reason your pet’s vision is different to yours is that dogs only have two types of cones compared to three in humans.
Additionally, the photoreceptors used for motion and night vision are called 'rods'. Dogs’ retinas are rod-heavy which is why they can see better in the dark and can detect motion a lot better than humans.
Is a dog’s field of vision wider than a human’s?
Although, like humans, dogs have their eyes set on the front of their heads (rather than on the side like a prey species), their eyes are positioned at a 20-degree angle, which increases their peripheral vision. However, this also means that they have less binocular vision than humans, which reduces depth perception.
Do dogs struggle with losing their vision in their older years?
If you have an older dog, you may be wondering if your beloved companion’s quality of life will reduce as their sight weakens. However, take heart in knowing that your dog will still be able to rely heavily on their other senses (smell, hearing, and touch).
So, even though there will probably be a few small adjustments to make, such as keeping water and food in one place and walking on a lead, your older dog will still cope very well if they go blind.
Discover the UK with your dog
You can rest assured knowing that your precious pooch is always going to love their walk if you’re there with them, no matter what the view is like! Why not consider visiting the seaside with them, or perhaps travelling to some beautifully scenic locations you can make the most of?
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.