Can Dogs Look Up? How Far Can They Look Up?

Can dogs look up? Yes, dogs can look up. But the extent to which they can lift their head is not a far as us. 

Busy? Get Your Hands Paws On The Answers Quickly…

• What Is The “Can Dogs Look Up” Movie?
• Can Dogs Look Up Explained
• FAQs

WHAT IS THE CAN DOGS LOOK UP MOVIE? 

Shaun of the Dead is the famous movie in which Simon Peggs character Shaun says, “Big Al also says dogs can’t look up.” This refers to the fact that Big Al isn’t always the most reliable source.

This sparked a widespread search on pet forums for the correct answer. Following that, there is a lot of controversy as to whether dogs really can look up. 

We know they can, but the extent to which is different from humans. Read on to find out more.

CAN DOGS LOOK UP EXPLAINED

Dogs can look up. If you’re a pooch owner, you’ll commonly see your dog sitting at your feet staring up at you, whether they’re waiting for a treat or some affection. This answers the simple question, that yes, dogs can look upwards.

However, the extent that they can look up is quite different from ours. We can look straight up to the sky but a dog may have to be on its back or have its feet raised, e.g., standing on a chair. The also commonly shift around into different positions to be able to get a better view of something, whereas humans can move their eyes or head with more ease.

Why is this?

Dogs are built differently to humans. 

The majority of breeds were bred to work using their nose for searching, hunting, or flushing. They spend the majority of the time with their nose on the ground, looking down and therefore have a completely different range of movement compared to humans.

Spine – The structure of a dog’s spine means their head has less movement than ours. The restriction in motion makes it more difficult for the dog to look upwards (link). 

Eyes – Dogs can see 240 degrees around them, compared to humans 180 degrees. They have excellent peripheral vision, meaning they can see movements outside of their direct line of sight. This means that they may not need to be looking up to be able actually to see up (link).

FAQS

What does it mean when dogs look up?

It could mean a variety of things.

– Sometimes dogs hear things you can’t, e.g., if he keeps staring at the ceiling at home, he could be hearing a mouse that you cannot.
– Irritation, a foreign object, cloudiness, or injury can also cause a dog pain or the feeling that they see something which is not there. Check the eye and visit the vet.
– Seizures and epilepsy could also be the reason for your dog staring upwards. These are called partial seizures and could signify something else is happening. Check with your vet if you suspect this to be the case (link).

Do dogs laugh?

Sounding like a playful pant, some people consider this as dogs laughing. The noise is usually made during play, accompanied by a relaxed demeanor, the tail wagging to the right, and mouth open. Whether it is considered a laugh is still up for debate.

However, dogs smile. This is easily noticeable, with relaxed ears, open mouth, tongue out, and usually, eyes closed.

Can dogs see the sky?

Yes, and some dogs can even see the stars. They have excellent night vision due to the size of their pupils, as well as having the advantage of being less sensitive to light pollution (link). 

Do dogs see color?

Dogs see more in hues of color. They can see shades of blue, green, and yellow, “which, when combined, can be perceived as grayish brown, dark yellow, light yellow, grayish-yellow, light blue, and dark blue” (link). They have fewer color receptors compared to humans. This dulls down the colors they see, and some are thought to be entirely color blind. 

Can dogs see TV?

Yes, dogs can perceive images similar to the way we do. They can recognize sounds, like that of another dog barking (link). 

What color is a dog most attracted to?

It is thought that dogs are most drawn to blue. If you’re looking to buy a new ball for your dog, we recommend going for blue so they can easily spot it in the grass.

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Disclaimer: Each dog is different, and every circumstance is different. All efforts have been made to provide accurate information. However, it is not provided by a qualified Veterinarian, Veterinarian Surgeon, or Behaviorist. The information provided is purely educational. The information should not be used as an alternative or substitute for medical care. If you have any health or medical concerns, contact a qualified Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinarian immediately.