Researchers from Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Budapest found that some dogs have an innate ability to remember over 100 human words without special training. This is the first recorded case of such talent in animals. The results of the study were published in the journal Nature.
“The unique ability to remember the names of objects is the first recorded case of talent among animals. The large sample described in this study allows us to identify common characteristics of such dogs and brings us closer to understanding their exceptional capabilities,” the researchers emphasize.
Previous studies have shown that only a few dogs are capable of remembering the names of objects. To find more animals for the study, Hungarian researchers launched a special social media campaign in 2020. Initially, they asked owners who claimed their dog knew the names of many objects to test their pet themselves by following specific instructions and then provide a video recording of the test results.
In the second phase, the researchers organized online meetings with the owners to test the dogs' “vocabulary” under controlled conditions. If the dog confirmed its abilities, the owners were asked to fill out a questionnaire. This allowed the scientists to collect data on the animals' life experiences, the owners' training backgrounds, and the methods used to train the dogs.
As a result, 41 talented dogs (GWL) from 9 countries were identified: Brazil, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Spain, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United States. Of these, 56% (23 individuals) were border collies and their hybrids (4 individuals, 9.8%); also included among the gifted dogs were 3 Labradors (7.3%), 2 Pomeranians (4.9%), and one representative of other breeds (Pekingese, poodle, shepherd, etc.). The average age of the dogs at the time of testing was 3.8 years.
It should be noted that according to the collected data, most owners did not intentionally teach their dogs the names of toys, and the training occurred spontaneously during play. Furthermore, most owners did not have professional experience in training.
Previous studies have established that gifted dogs quickly remember the names of new objects. This was also confirmed in the current project. The scientists claim that the average number of toy names known by the dogs at the time of the first testing was 29. However, by the time of publication of the results, their “vocabulary” had already exceeded 100 names.
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