As a dog owner, you might think your furry friend is watching TV right along with you. But does your pooch actually pay attention to the screen? Dr. Freya Mowat, a veterinary ophthalmologist and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s school of veterinary medicine, has investigated this question.
Mowat designed an eye test for dogs that required them to look at a screen in her lab. The test involved showing dogs interesting content, such as montages of golden retrievers running along beaches, to see how they reacted. Her team found that most dogs are more interested in watching other dogs or animals on TV, rather than humans.
The survey also revealed that dogs tend to watch action and sci-fi content with their owners, genres that feature lots of movement on screen. However, dogs are not as likely to focus on the screen for long periods of time, typically watching only commercial-length amounts of TV.
Some dog breeds seem to have different tastes when it comes to TV viewing. Sporting and herding dog breeds appeared to watch all content more than other breeds, while hunting breed owners reported that their dogs liked to watch birds.
So why do dogs watch television at all? According to Mowat, it’s likely because they love their human companions and associate watching TV with interaction and attention. However, it’s difficult to say whether dogs truly understand the concept of TV or are simply responding to emotional cues.
While there is no evidence that dogs can recognize cartoon characters by sight, some owners reported that their dogs enjoyed cartoons and animated films. However, this might be due to the viral nature of these types of videos rather than any actual understanding on the part of the dog.
In conclusion, while dogs may not watch TV in the same way as humans do, they are still capable of responding to certain types of content and interacting with their owners during viewing sessions. By understanding what drives this behavior, we can better appreciate our canine companions and provide them with a more engaging experience.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jan/17/can-dogs-watch-tv