Human curiosity about animal behavior has been a longstanding fascination, and with the rise of pet ownership, understanding their habits and care has become increasingly important. Recently, a team of animal behaviorists in India published a study in February 2025 revealing that dogs have a color preference, with a strong affinity for the color yellow that even surpasses their attraction to food.
Firstly, it's essential to understand that dogs do not see the world in black and white; they possess dichromatic vision, which allows them to distinguish between blue, yellow, and gray. The research team conducted color preference tests on 458 untrained free-ranging dogs using acrylic paint to create brightly colored yellow, Prussian blue, and gray bowls. The bowls were randomly arranged and thoroughly cleaned to eliminate any residual scents from previous dogs.
It is well-documented that dogs can differentiate between yellow, blue, and gray. The study found a significant preference for yellow among the dogs, regardless of whether the bowls contained food. In one experiment, an empty yellow bowl was placed alongside a gray bowl filled with biscuits, and most dogs chose the yellow bowl. Even when the biscuits were replaced with fresh chicken, the dogs' preference for yellow remained unchanged. Surprisingly, the attraction to yellow was stronger than their drive to eat during foraging activities.
To confirm that the dogs' choices were influenced by visual color rather than scent, the researchers covered the bowls with sieves, preventing the dogs from seeing the colors. As a result, the dogs' selections became random and lacked any pattern, indicating that the visual effect of yellow was indeed the primary attractant.
Experts speculate that the vibrant yellow bowls may have a "standout effect" compared to other colors and environmental hues. Although earlier experiments suggested that visual prominence did not affect the dogs' choices, further research is needed to provide conclusive evidence. This study marks the first time researchers have observed that free-ranging dogs are not swayed by food rewards, raising questions about whether the preference for yellow offers ecological advantages or evolutionary reasons. Future studies aim to explore dogs' color preferences and apply these findings to pet behavior and dog training.
