Cross Breeds

Do you think dogs know about other breeds?

Its weird, my pom just doesn't like labs, especially chocolate ones. He tugs at the lead and bark at all labs. I thought it may be just the size, but we have passed alot of other dogs roughly the same size and he doesnt react. Its like an Italian Greyground that went to puppy classes, it just tried to attack any dog with black fur. I thought dogs were color blind, and of course don't know breeds of dogs, but why do some dogs dislike some certain dogs?

Public Comments

1. Just like us humans, we don't like every one!
2. it's more likely that they have a certain smell
3. No, because they CAN'T.
4. Strange stuff, maybe the dog had a bad experience with a lab. My Golden hated this old english sheep dog. He was friendly to all others though.
5. Dogs aren't totally color blind, they just have a different color spectrum than we do. I learned that recently (google it, you should be able to find something that shows you the spectrum). However, it's more likely there's something about the smell of the dog more than the type or color. It might just be coincidence that it seems to be labs!
6. I don't think they think about different 'breeds' as that is a human concept, but they do look at colour (they can see more colour than was originally thought), size and shape. It could be that the dog wasn't socialised with a certain type of dog or maybe was attacked by one in its past. They really don't forget!
7. I think dogs can differenciate on physical traits. Your dog may not be aware that its a different breed.. however he may have had a bad experience with a lab, or a large brown dog.. and has made that association. I have seen dogs show a preference for dogs of their breed/type. The dog is not aware that its the same breed.. but the dog is aware of what mom and littermates looked like.. and that particular dog reminds them of what they grew up with. My husky mix that I used to have would just squeal with excitement whenever she saw another husky-type dog. My Crested is hairless, and his mom is hairless.. his litter mates were all puffs tho. He prefers fluffy dogs that are the same size he is... when we are at dog events he shows an interest in meeting small, fluffy dogs, but really could care less about larger dogs. Dogs are not color blind.. their spectrum is more limited than ours and not as vibrant, but dogs can see some color.
8. Perhaps scent, Dogs have very sensitive noses. They can tell the difference in people by their scent, thats how blood hounds can be used in search and rescue, so different dogs probably smell different also. As far as color blind goes I have no idea, but if you have ever seen a black and white movie you would know that there are all different shades of gray and if dogs are color blind they can at least denote different shades of gray.
9. Dogs are not color blind, but they see fewer colors than humans do. Most of the small dogs I have known are wary of big dogs. I have a big black Lab mix, and very few of the small dogs I have fostered like him at first. They are usually afraid of him, but after they get to know him, then they are fine. Maybe dark colored dogs appear more threatening.
10. I don't think it's the type of breed that makes them dislike other dogs. I think your dog probably intimidated the greyhound.