It has long been known that dogs perceive colors differently from humans. However, a new study conducted in India has revealed that street dogs have a special interest in the color yellow.

Scientists discovered the interest of street dogs in yellow.

In a study conducted by the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Kolkata, over 130 street dogs were examined. Researchers observed which color the dogs preferred by placing yellow, blue, and gray food bowls in front of them. The results showed that the majority of the dogs chose the bowl in the yellow color. 

POSSIBLY AN EVOLUTIONARY PAST

According to a news published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Animal Cognition and featured in Independent, it was suggested that this preference may have been inherited from the dogs’ ancestors, wolves. Scientists believe that dogs might prefer this color because shades of yellow are more prominent in their field of vision.

WHAT COLORS CAN DOGS SEE?

The human eye can perceive a wide range of colors thanks to three different cone cells. However, dogs only have two types of these cells. Therefore, they cannot distinguish red, green, and orange tones. On the other hand, it is known that they can clearly see blue and yellow colors.

GENETIC OR LEARNED BEHAVIOR?

Scientists suggest that more research is needed to understand whether this tendency is genetic or a learned behavior. Additionally, since previous studies in Morocco did not point to a clear color preference in dogs, it is also being investigated whether these findings are specific to dogs in India. Scientists say that new studies conducted on pet dogs and wolves could help understand the origins of this intriguing color preference.