In a groundbreaking study published in Current Biology, researchers from the Department of Ethology at Eötvös Loránd University have unveiled remarkable evidence that certain dogs, dubbed “Gifted Word Learners,” possess the ability to extend verbal labels not merely by visual resemblance but through an understanding of function—a cognitive feat long considered predominantly human. This research, conducted in the natural settings of dogs’ homes during play, marks a pivotal advancement in our grasp of non-human language-related capabilities and offers fresh perspectives on the evolutionary origins of language.
The essence of the study lies in the concept of “label extension,” a critical aspect of early language acquisition in human infants, where a single word becomes generalized to encompass a category of objects sharing functional similarities. For example, young children learn that the term “cup” may refer to a range of drinking vessels, regardless of their varying appearances. Until now, demonstrations of this complex ability in non-human species have been scarce and mostly limited to highly trained captive animals subjected to lengthy conditioning protocols.
What sets this research apart is the observation of Gifted Word Learner dogs naturally expanding their verbal vocabulary within their everyday environments. Unlike traditional captive studies, where supervision and formal training dominate, these dogs acquire toy names through spontaneous interactions with their owners, highlighting the significance of social context and play in cognitive development. This naturalistic methodology allowed the research team to probe whether dogs can categorize objects functionally, beyond superficial appearance.
The research design encompassed a play-based experimental framework involving seven dogs—six Border Collies and one Blue Heeler—each known for their extraordinary aptitude for retrieving and recognizing the names of an extensive array of toys. The experiment was divided into four distinct phases, meticulously crafted to simulate an authentic learning process: first, the dogs were introduced to two novel verbal labels linked not to individual items but to groups of toys unified by their use during play, such as “Pull” and “Fetch.”
Following this initial learning phase, an assessment confirmed that the canines had correctly associated these labels with the appropriate toy groups. This verification was essential to ascertain that the dogs had effectively learned the meaning of the labels before undergoing further testing. The pivotal moment arrived in the generalization phase when the dogs encountered entirely new toys with diverse shapes and appearances, devoid of any verbal labels during play—yet involving the same functional interactions previously taught.
Remarkably, in the final test, each dog was prompted to fetch either a “Pull” or a “Fetch” toy without verbal cues during the gameplay. Despite the absence of direct labeling, the dogs consistently selected the correct unlabelled toys significantly above chance levels, demonstrating their capability to extend learned verbal labels to entirely novel objects based on their function. This outcome challenges the presumption that such sophisticated label generalization is uniquely human or restricted to extensively trained captive animals.
This study does not merely add a new chapter to canine cognition; it opens a vast realm for understanding the cognitive mechanisms underlying language-related behaviors across species. The dogs’ ability to generalize labels based on functional attributes instead of simple visual categorization suggests cognitive processing akin to concepts of meaning and category formation, foundational elements in language comprehension. Such findings propel forward our understanding of non-verbal communication and semantic reasoning in animals.
Moreover, the fact that this ability emerges naturally within the intimate setting of a human family amplifies the potential ecological validity of the findings. The social dynamic between dogs and their owners, characterized by playful interactions and spontaneous learning, mirrors aspects of human infant language acquisition, emphasizing the interplay between environment, social context, and cognitive development. These insights prompt reevaluation of how communicative skills may evolve and function beyond linguistic species.
From a neuroethological perspective, the results provoke intriguing questions about the neural substrates involved in such functional label generalization. Does this reflect a specialized system for semantic processing in dogs? Or is it an extension of more generalized associative learning mechanisms fine-tuned by social bonds and environmental influences? Future research leveraging neuroimaging and comparative cognition techniques could illuminate these pathways.
Additionally, the discovery that different toy categories like “Pull” and “Fetch” can serve as abstract functional classes for dogs challenges earlier assumptions that animal classification behavior is predominantly perceptual. Instead, it underlines an impressive representational capacity—dogs appear to form mental categories defined by action-related properties, a sophisticated trait aligning with foundational elements of symbolic thought.
The implications extend beyond theoretical interest; understanding how dogs comprehend verbal labels functionally has practical applications in enhancing communication between humans and working dogs, potentially improving training methods for service, therapy, and assistance roles. The ability to generalize commands based on function might foster more adaptive and resilient behaviors in dynamic environments.
In sum, this pioneering study reshapes the conversation regarding animal cognition and language evolution. Gifted Word Learner dogs not only memorize toy names but demonstrate a nuanced comprehension of their use, enabling them to generalize these labels to new objects within the functional categories they represent. This phenomenon, discovered through natural social interactions and play, underscores the depth and subtlety of canine intelligence.
As Dr. Claudia Fugazza, lead author of the study, notes, these findings reveal that dogs’ label learning reflects more than rote memorization; it encompasses an understanding of meaning that transcends mere appearance. Dr. Adam Miklosi, coauthor of the study, highlights that such capacities in a non-human, non-linguistic species challenge traditional views and usher in exciting possibilities for studying the evolutionary pathways of language-related skills.
This research encourages a shift in scientific paradigms, inviting us to explore language not solely as a human faculty but as a complex cognitive ability with roots and parallels in other species, particularly those integrated into human social frameworks. Indeed, the remarkable linguistic aptitude of Gifted Word Learner dogs provides a compelling window into the ancestral capabilities that may have set the stage for human language, while simultaneously deepening our appreciation for the sophisticated minds of our closest animal companions.
Subject of Research: Gifted Word Learner dogs’ ability to extend verbal labels based on functional object classification.
Article Title: Dogs extend verbal labels for functional classification of objects
News Publication Date: 18-Sep-2025
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2025.08.013
Image Credits: Department of Ethology / Eötvös Loránd University
Keywords: Dogs, Ethology, Animal communication, Behavioral ecology, Life sciences
