You think your dog is smart? Wait until you meet the “Gifted Word Learners” (GWLs) – a rare breed of dogs that can recall the names of toys even after a two-year break! A new study published in Biology Letters reveals that these talented hounds can remember labels for an astonishingly long time, rivaling human capabilities.

Lead researcher Shany Dror explains, “Language relies on various cognitive skills, including memory. This study shows that dogs can also remember labels for a very long time, challenging the notion that this ability is unique to humans.”

The study began in 2020, where owners from around the world taught their GWLs the names of 12 new toys within a week. The twist? Each owner spoke a different language to their dog, making it a challenging but fascinating experiment.

Fast forward two years, and the researchers revisited the experiment to see if the dogs still remembered the toy names. Remarkably, four out of five dogs recalled 60-75% of the toys, with an average group performance of 44% correct choices.

So, how can you tell if your dog is a GWL? Unlike regular training, GWLs learn almost by accident. Owners often unintentionally teach their dogs toy names during play, and before they know it, their furry friend is fetching toys on command!

If you think your dog has what it takes to be a GWL, get in touch with the Genius Dog Challenge team. They’re always on the lookout for more talented pooches to join their research. Who knows, your dog might just be a hidden genius!”