A new study highlights that some dogs, particularly Border Collies, can learn and remember their toys’ names.

Seven of the 40 dogs studied demonstrated an impressive capacity to recognize toy names such as Turtle, Squirrel, and Mickey Mouse after three months of training. The group’s star was a Border Collie who mastered the names of 37 different toys.

This study revealed that only a few dogs possess this skill, with just one out of the remaining 34 dogs being able to learn toy names without prior training. Researchers found this talent rare, noting that it is seen only in a few dogs.

The study also challenged the assumption that puppies learn more due to their brain development.

Both puppies and adult dogs showed an equal capacity to learn toy names, surprising the researchers involved.

While the ability to learn toy names is not widespread among dogs, this research offers insights into the cognitive capabilities of certain breeds.

A Border Collie named Gaia from Brazil, owned by Isabella Imiguel, stood out in the study. The research indicated that Border Collies have an edge over other breeds regarding learning.

The study was conducted by researchers at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary, as part of the ‘Family Dog Project.’

The university is recognized for its Genius Dog Challenge, an online competition showcasing dogs’ intelligence worldwide.

Dr. Shany Dror, one of the study’s authors, explained that while previous research has explored dogs’ ability to learn words related to actions, few studies have focused on their capacity to learn the names of objects, prompting this research.

The top performer, Gaia, a three-year-old Border Collie, learned the names of 37 toys during the study.

Although impressive, Gaia’s achievement is modest compared to Chaser, the world’s smartest dog, who recognized over 1,000 nouns before passing away in 2019.

Border Collies are often considered the most intelligent dog breed due to their strong learning abilities and enthusiasm for work.

The study involved a rigorous three-month training program where 40 dogs were taught the names of at least two toys.

This training included daily interactions between the dogs and their owners, where the toy names were repeated multiple times, along with weekly sessions with professional dog trainers.

During tests, the owners stayed in one room while the toys were placed in another, with the dogs being asked to retrieve a specific toy.

Dr. Claudia Fugazza, another study author, initially believed that puppies would learn toy names more quickly due to their developmental stage.

The study, which included Border Terriers, King Poodles, Australian Shepherds, and Schnauzers, found that most dogs, regardless of age, did not show significant learning progress despite the training.

However, seven adult Border Collies, including Gaia, Max, Whisky, Nalani, Squall, and Rico, demonstrated exceptional learning abilities, mastering the names of two toys and between 11 and 37 additional toys during the study. Six of these dogs had already begun learning toy names before the study.

The study also featured a Border Collie named Squall, owned by Bobbie Kurivial in Florida, and Whisky, a Border Collie owned by Helge O. Svela in Norway.

Another notable participant was Oliva, a Border Collie who quickly learned 21 toy names in just two months but passed away before the study concluded.

Dr. Dror pointed out that all seven dogs excelling in the study were Border Collies, a breed known for its cooperative nature and herding skills. However, she emphasized that not all Border Collies share this talent for learning words.

The research, published in Scientific Reports, was conducted by a team from Eötvös Loránd University interested in canine communication and learning abilities.

Although Border Collies showed high aptitude, not all dogs, including some Border Collies, demonstrated the same skill level in learning toy names.

Max, another Border Collie involved in ongoing research at Eötvös Loránd University, further highlighted the breed’s potential.

Recent findings from the research team revealed that highly intelligent dogs can learn new words after only four exposures, a learning speed comparable to that of two- to three-year-old children.

However, a separate study found that dogs struggle with similar words, such as ‘dog’ and ‘dig,’ which may limit their vocabulary development despite extensive training.

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