Bluey, the beloved Australian animated series, has captured the hearts of children and parents worldwide. But it seems humans aren’t the only ones tuning in. Across living rooms, a new audience is emerging – our canine companions. Dog owners are reporting their furry friends are becoming increasingly captivated by the adventures of Bluey, Bingo, Bandit, and Chilli. But why? And does Bluey, the character herself, have a pet dog in the show that might be sparking this interest? Let’s delve into the captivating world of Bluey from a dog’s-eye view and explore why this children’s program has dogs wagging their tails and tilting their heads.
River the Labradoodle, a self-proclaimed Bluey enthusiast, enjoys watching the show alongside his Bluey themed toy.
The Bluey Binge: Real-Life Dogs Obsessed
Madeline Carpou discovered her dog Lilliput’s penchant for Bluey by happy accident. Needing to keep Lilliput entertained during a dog-sitting stint, she put on a Bluey marathon. Returning five hours later, she found a blissfully relaxed pup. “She greeted me as usual then went straight back to the couch to get back to Bluey and her treat,” Ms. Carpou recounted. Lilliput was hooked, completely engrossed in the cartoon’s vibrant world.
Similarly, Mary Bolling’s labradoodle, River, is another self-confessed Bluey devotee. Growing up immersed in Bluey fandom, River developed a taste for the show early on. Ms. Bolling notes that the usually energetic two-year-old finds tranquility when watching Bluey with his family. “I definitely count it as one of his favourite programs,” she affirms. These anecdotes aren’t isolated incidents; social media is awash with dog owners sharing videos of their pets fixated on Bluey.
High Definition and Canine Vision: Unlocking Bluey’s Appeal
A popular theory circulating online, particularly on platforms like TikTok, suggests that Bluey’s color palette plays a significant role in its canine appeal. The theory posits that Bluey utilizes colors within the spectrum that dogs perceive most vividly. But is there scientific merit to this?
Kate Mornement, a respected animal behaviorist, clarifies that the notion of dogs being entirely colorblind is a misconception. “Dogs are not necessarily color blind,” she explains, “But they are restricted to only seeing shades of grey, brown, yellow and blue.” This is due to a lower concentration of color-sensing cones in their eyes compared to humans, limiting their color perception.
Animal behaviourist Kate Mornement, pictured here with a Border Collie, offers insights into why dogs are drawn to television shows like Bluey.
While Bluey undeniably features a color scheme rich in blues, yellows, and browns – colors within a dog’s visual range – Dr. Mornement proposes another compelling factor: the advent of high-definition television. “It’s a phenomenon — dogs watching TV — that’s increased in recent years, and the reason is … high-definition TV,” she states. The enhanced clarity and image quality of modern TVs make screen images far more discernible for dogs, sparking their interest in a way older, less defined screens may not have.
Beyond Colors: Why Bluey Captivates Canine Attention
But is it merely visual acuity that holds a dog’s attention? Are they truly following the storylines, or are they simply reacting to shapes and movements on the screen? Dr. Mornement believes there’s more to it. “I’ve seen some really interesting videos on social media of dogs watching TV in different contexts, and they tend to be a lot more interested when it’s animals that they’re watching,” she observes.
Dogs are naturally attuned to animal sounds and movements. Bluey, populated with animated dogs engaging in playful activities, likely triggers this innate interest. Some dogs exhibit curiosity, tilting their heads and intently watching. Others might become agitated, barking or even displaying aggression towards the screen if they perceive a threat. Dr. Mornement has even assisted clients with dogs exhibiting aggressive behavior towards the TV due to fear or anxiety triggered by on-screen content.
Frankie, owned by Andrew Galbraith, is another canine member of the growing Bluey fan club.
Bluey’s Creators Weigh In: A Paw-some Opportunity?
The creators of Bluey, Ludo Studio, have responded to the canine viewership phenomenon with playful humor. In a tongue-in-cheek statement, they acknowledged the “exciting creative and business opportunity” presented by the discovery that dogs aren’t colorblind in the way previously thought.
“It is for these reasons that Bluey’s lead art designers collaborated with Queensland scientists during development and pre-production in the hope we might create a series with a colour palette and certain storylines as appealing to dogs as they were to parents and children,” the studio jested. While clearly lighthearted, this statement hints at a potential awareness, even if subconscious, of canine visual perception during the show’s creation.
Moderating Puppy Screen Time: Is Bluey Too Much of a Good Thing?
With shows potentially being designed with canine viewers in mind, should we be concerned about our dogs’ screen time? Dr. Mornement advises a balanced approach. “Look, everything in moderation, just like with children, is fine,” she laughs. “A little TV every now and then for the dog — as long as it’s not causing anxiety — is totally fine.”
So, while Bluey herself doesn’t have a pet dog in the show, it seems she and her family are inadvertently entertaining countless canine companions in the real world. As long as your dog’s Bluey viewing habits remain moderate and don’t induce anxiety, you can relax and enjoy the show together, perhaps even sharing a chew toy during the next episode.
