We are having a family debate as to whether dogs can recognise their own breed when they see a fellow dog !
Does anyone know the answer to this ?
AND
is it true dogs only see in black & white??

THANX!

Jude

My dalmatians can definitely recognise another of their "clan"! Going round shows trying to find our bench they look at other breeds with varying degrees of interest ("small fluffies" are especially fascinating), but when they see another dal the tails wag and they get really bouncy. One of mine, as a pup, was having a lovely game with this "dal" which was lying down being very sweet with her. Then is stood up and she was stunned at its size. It was a harlequin great dane!!:D

When we go for walks they have their particular friends, and if we see another of that breed they can be surprised when they find out it isn't the dog they know. This works the other way as well - if any dog attacks them, they will never forget, and not trust any of that breed ever again.

mine certainly do...but whether they "know" what they are them selves or whether they just recognise others because they live with the breed is another matter

My b/c puppy doesn;t like rottweilers or dogs that look a little like them. He hates the rotty bitch puppy at our puppy class and is always growling at her and she's a real softy. He hasn't had any bad experiences with any, he just doesn't like them. When we take him to the park he gets really excited when he sees other b/c's. :D

At a traing course I was at a few weeks ago there was a ESS puppy - he saw Missy (also ESS but wearing a coat) and did a complete 'double take', but virtually ignored all other dogs there (ofcourse - it may have been her snazzy Burberry check coat <G>)

Darcy definitely seems to get more excited around other labradors. but it may just be that I encourage her more to play with other labs and that they were the first she was socialised with

try here under health-wise; canine vision for an article on how dogs see.

HTH

Nicola

Our Mals definitely know other Mals. At shows, our eldest gets wound up by having so many about, but at rallies he is far more friendly and even knows his own relatives! He can lead us to his Mum, Dad, Sisters and Brothers without a problem :)
Joan :)

Absolutely, Floyd will ignore any other dogs at shows but get him within 100 yards of another mal and his hackles rise etc. I thought it was just the dominance thing he was getting whiffs of but he can recognise another mal from so far away it can't be.

Abby (BC) was keeping her distance from the Miniature Dachshund and the Beagle pup I introduced her to on a quiet night at the dog club, but she ran staright up to the Aussie Shepherd pup, and she always makes a beeline for any BCs when out.:)

My Cockers certainly act more giddy when they see other Cockers - so i think they do see the difference.

Pam n the boys

Funny enough, our lab seems to ignore most other labs at the dog park. If there is a group of different breeds around, he will usually try to play with any of the other dogs that isn't a lab!

My Mum's retired greyhound is very snooty and aloof with any other breed and tends to growl if anyone gets too close. However, she's great with other greyhounds. No doubt in my mind that she recognises the breed.
However, my 6mth weimaraner loves anyone and everything - we're going to rename her 'the puppy who loves too much' as she's been bitten twice by other less socialised dogs!

Belgians definitely recognise other Belgians - or put it like this, a Terv will recognise a fellow Terv, a Groenendael a Groenendael, etc :) ;) Not sure if they will or can recognise the other 2 varieties in the breed though.....I might try and find out this year!

Lindsay

Our GSDs are pretty good and will stay away from other dogs if we ask them, however, it is really hard work for us to keep them away from other GSDs. I don't mind them going up as long as I know the other dogs but I don't want them to rush up to every one they see as, where we walk, some are not as friendly as others.

Our whippet and whippet-x both recognise sighthounds, and while they will always want to play with other dogs they will pull like mad to get to a sighthound if they see one. Usually a whippet or a greyhound. They're not too sure yet of fuzzy sighthounds (ie salukis and borzois) LOL.

It's been said to us by sighthound owners that even the most picky of sighthounds will always play with other sighthounds.

WEndy

My Boxer seems to recognise other Boxers but my others don't seem to care. The terriers are too focused on vermin patrol (unless the other dogs is a border collie or GSD!) to care and the schips, poodles and Percy the Dachshund very rarely get a chance to see another of their own kind!
Bec

got to say, My Schnauzer definatley knows other Schnauzers - He 'talks' to other schnauzers where as he 'shouts' at other dogs. He is definatley a snob and will only play with his own kind, lol

Roxanne