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Subscribe to RSSChaser the border collie might have to add "celebrity" to her repertoire of more than 1,000 words, because that's what she's becoming. The 6-year-old dog is currently recognized as the world champion for canine word comprehension, thanks to three years of intensive training at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C.
Wofford psychology professors John Pilley and Alliston Reid report in the journal Behavioural Processes that Chaser learned the names of 1,022 objects, and she demonstrated that she understood the meanings of those separate names, categories and commands in a series of hundreds of fetch trials. Sometimes the dog did better than her handlers, who reportedly had to write the names on 1,022 toys to recall them correctly.
"This research is important because it demonstrates that dogs, like children, can develop extensive vocabularies and understand that certain words represent individual objects and other words represent categories of objects, independent in meaning of what one is asked to do with these objects," Reid said in a news release.
Chaser's vocabulary is said to come close to the capacity of a 3-year-old child. But her fame is taking on the viral character usually associated with teenage pop stars: Wofford lists more than 70 online reports about Chaser's prowess from around the world, and she's due to be profiled next month on public television's "Nova ScienceNOW" program.
The previous record-holder in the canine comprehension category was another border collie named Rico, who was taught more than 200 words by German scientists. Here's a 2004 video about the research with Rico:
'Nightly News' video from 2004 spotlights Rico the border collie.
In addition to spoken word recognition, dogs are said to understand gestures as well as 2-year-old children, and I know for a fact that they can spell. Even sounding out the letters "W-A-L-K" puts my Cavalier King Charles spaniel into a tizzy. But Chaser still has a ways to go if she wants to catch up with the word wizardry demonstrated by the dearly departed Puck, a budgerigar who had a 1,728-word vocabulary. Puck, who passed away in California in 1994, was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as "the bird with the largest vocabulary in the world."
More about animal intelligence:
- Gallery: Cat vs. dog intelligence
- The world's 10 most intelligent animals
- How smart is your dog? Give him an IQ test
- More pet health news from msnbc.com
Tip o' the Log to Discovery News' Jennifer Viegas and New Scientist's Jessica Griggs.
Connect with Cosmic Log by "liking" our Facebook page or hooking up on Twitter, and check out "The Case for Pluto," science editor Alan Boyle's book about Pluto and the planet quest.
Leave a Comment:
Blast it. When I read the headline, I thought it was about a dog that was supposed to be able to talk.....
My lab is smarter than that. He has me fetching the toy he wants.
I am embarrassed to admit that I named my dogs toys...and they both know their toys names and will get the one I tell them to get..( other than this my dogs are pretty stupid)....When this guy gets to DOG to say the name of the toys I'll be impressed.
Yeah, I know dogs that will walk down the street with 2 quarters in their mouth, drop them on the counter at the local Grocery store, then get themselves a can of dog food off the shelf and walk home. Show me something I haven't seen before!
I've always thought the border collie breed to be the most alert, intelligent of all dogs. Wish I had enough space for one, because they need exercise and purpose to be happy.
Our dog (a Brittany) knows every word connected to food, going away and all her toys. She picks up on conversation - hoping to go outside, bye-bye, out for food, out for a walk, etc. Our dog also knows which drive through places will give her a treat - the pharmacy, bank, etc. Dogs are extremely smart and also want to please us. Our dog also knows exactly which member of her human family will play, sit or wait on her because we have each formed a special relationship with her and have all assumed certain chores in caring for her. Every day we are entertained, amused and thoroughly amazed at her energy and spirit.
No surprises here, nothing to see, move along, move along. My Bearded Collie "Honey" understands almost everything said around her. She knows the names of all the people she is acquainted with and all her toys. She understands phrases and, most amazing of all, she can communicate her wants and needs through vocalizations and body language. She is the most amazing animal I have ever known and a great delight.
Go to my newsvine page to see a picture of us. Honey is "smiling" for the camera, she loves to have her picture taken.
So what, now? The other half of science refuses to quit abusing these intelligent creatures in 'research' labs.
No suprises here, I have long known that dogs are much smarter than we give them credit for!
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