Dogs don't judge us for our looks, finds new study

Dogs aren't just loyal protectors as they used to be back in the days, but having them as pets is one of the most comforting things ever. When we look at their adorable furry faces, we see love, vulnerability and so much more. However, this isn't entirely the same way that these adorable canines look at us. A recent study from the Society of Neuroscience shed some light on this for people to understand how their pets feel about them. The study suggested that while humans look at a person and instantly notice their facial features, dogs don’t perceive them on a similar wavelength.

The study examined the brain system of various dogs to understand what they first focus on when they look at humans. While humans see detailing, dogs see a broader picture, and researchers were surprised to know that what a dog sees when it looks at the back of the head of a human is similar to what it sees when it looks at the person’s face. Dogs associate more with the idea of packs and have been accustomed to viewing individuals from a collective perspective, as per NOW. Hence, when they look at a person, dogs are focusing on the vague elements of our faces rather than the unique details.

Dogs look at "non-facial bodily cues, acoustic or chemical signs," said Attila Andics, co-author of the study. This could mean that recognition of facial features is not the best trait for dogs. However, it also suggests that dogs are not concerned with what human beings look like and don't change their behavior based on facial features. Nevertheless, the canines possess stunning abilities to communicate in a way that makes you think they’re looking straight into your soul! "It is amazing that, despite apparently not having a specialized neural machinery to process faces, dogs nevertheless excel at eye contact, following gaze, reading emotions from our face, and they can even recognize their owner by the face,” Andics remarked.

Another surprising fact is that dogs may not perceive your smile as a gesture of happiness or satisfaction. This is because many animals see a smile or grin as an expression of anger or aggression. The difference in a dog's visual perception vs that of humans comes from their receptors. It was mentioned that eye receptors consist of cones and rods.

Cones help people to see color and are highly found in humans which is why we’re able to see a wider spectrum of colors. On the other hand, dogs have only 2 and not 3 cone receptors. This is why their color variance also differs. Rods, on the other hand, deal with being able to see in darkness. Dogs are better equipped with rod receptors which is why they have a better vision even in the dark. The study also confirms that dogs prefer human beings based on touch, trust, smell and other senses. It's safe to say that the furry pals, as innocent as they are, don't judge anyone by their looks.