<p data-start="290" data-end="798">Dogs&rsquo; eyes have a higher number of rod cells compared to human eyes. Rod cells are responsible for detecting light and motion. This is why dogs can see well in dim lighting. Their rod cells help them detect movement in low light situations, which is important for hunting or sensing potential danger. However, while they can see in low light, they do not have the ability to see as clearly in total darkness as some creatures that are adapted specifically for night vision, such as owls or nocturnal animals.

<p data-start="800" data-end="1296">An important factor in a dog&rsquo;s ability to see in the dark is a part of their eye called the tapetum lucidum. This is a layer of tissue behind the retina that reflects light that has already passed through the retina do dogs have night vision back into their eyes. This extra reflection helps dogs make use of whatever light is available. The tapetum lucidum not only improves their ability to see in the dark, but it also causes their eyes to shine at night, which we often notice when we shine a light in their direction.

<p data-start="1298" data-end="1614">While dogs don&rsquo;t have night vision like some other animals, they can still navigate in the dark far better than humans can. Their eyes allow them to see objects and movements in low-light conditions, and their heightened sense of smell also helps them understand their surroundings when it's too dark to see clearly.

<p data-start="1616" data-end="1986">Dogs also rely on their other senses, like hearing and smell, to help them in low-light conditions. For example, even if their vision isn&rsquo;t perfect in the dark, their acute hearing allows them to detect sounds from far away. Their sense of smell is also much more developed than ours, so they can often sense things that are out of their line of sight, even in the dark.

<p data-start="1988" data-end="2317">It&rsquo;s also worth noting that certain breeds of dogs are better adapted to seeing in low light than others. Breeds like the German Shepherd or the Belgian Malinois, which were originally bred for tasks like herding or guarding, have excellent vision in low-light situations because these tasks often require seeing in dim lighting.

<p data-start="2319" data-end="2587">However, dogs still rely on daylight for the best clarity. In bright light, their eyes function normally, and they can see with much more detail. In total darkness, though, they would struggle just like us, although they can still rely on their other senses to get by.

<p data-start="2589" data-end="3050" data-is-last-node="">In summary, while dogs do not have true night vision like some other animals, their eyes are adapted to help them see well in low-light conditions. The rod cells and the tapetum lucidum in their eyes allow them to make the most out of whatever light is available. While they may not have perfect vision in total darkness, their enhanced senses of hearing and smell help them navigate and understand the world around them, even when it's too dark to see clearly.