I'm not sure either. I think I asked the vet once, but don't remember his answer. I have friends whose dogs sit and stare at themselves in the mirror and even sit in front of the TV like they're watching it. I think they see motion. I'm still wondering if they see in color. I know Cody went nuts with the color red. If I tell Logan to get her green fish and not the yellow, she'll get the green. Hmmmm.