Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT

Gifted dogs learn new words by overhearing humans

Particularly talented canines have sociolinguistic skills akin to those of young toddlers.
A toddler plays with a cream and a black dog in a garden

Some dogs and young kids meet on the same level when it comes to language. Credit: Getty

For some dogs, picking up the names of new toys is as easy as listening in on human conversation1.

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Learn more

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Nature 649, 801 (2026)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00112-y

References

  1. Dror, S. et al. Science 391, 160–163 (2026).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Subjects

Latest on:

Nature Careers

Jobs

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing

Search

Advanced search

Quick links