A new study from Eötvös Loránd University reveals that gifted word-learner dogs not only learn toy names but also prefer novel toys and enjoy sharing them with their owners. Published in the journal Animal Cognition, the research builds on the university's ongoing Genius Dog Challenge work examining these rare canine cognitive abilities.

Researchers tested 10 gifted word-learner (GWL) dogs and 21 typical border collies, presenting them with labeled toys, unlabeled toys, and novel toys. After a two-week familiarization period where owners repeatedly named certain toys, dogs were given free access to all toys in 90-second trials. The study found that all dogs, regardless of their word-learning abilities, strongly preferred the new toys over familiar ones.

This preference for novelty mirrors findings in human infants and suggests a shared cognitive trait across species. The researchers note that while GWL dogs can extend toy labels to new objects with similar functions without formal training, their motivation appears driven by social interaction with owners rather than the labels themselves. The findings add to growing evidence that these exceptional dogs develop sophisticated cognitive abilities through natural play rather than intensive training, highlighting the importance of owner-dog interaction in canine learning.