Few dogs are genuinely intelligent enough to remember the names of several objects, even though many dog owners believe their pups are gifted.
Now, a new study performed by Eotvos Lorand University academics has shed insight on these canines’ characteristics.
Their findings imply that playfulness is the fundamental personality attribute that distinguishes exceptional dogs from average dogs.
The co-author of the study, dám Miklósi, stated, “This study demonstrates a correlation between exceptionally high levels of playfulness and aptitude for acquiring object verbal labels in dogs.”
Previous research has demonstrated that only a few canines globally had the exceptional ability to learn multiple object names.
These canines, known as Gifted Word Learners, can swiftly learn the names of their toys and remember them for nearly two months.
The purpose of the new study was to examine the personality qualities of these dogs.
The researchers distributed a Dog Personality Questionnaire to the owners of 21 gifted canines from throughout the world.
Borbala Tucson, the co-author of the study, stated, “This is a validated questionnaire that identifies personality traits in dogs and has been used successfully in other published studies.”
The results of the surveys were then compared with those of a similar questionnaire distributed to the owners of 144 typical dogs.
Because most Gifted Word Learners are Border Collies, the researchers limited their study to this breed.
Dr. Andrea Sommers, the co-author of the study, stated, “However, it is crucial to note that the great majority of Border Collies lack this aptitude.”
Additionally, some Gifted Word Learners do not belong to this breed, researcher Shany Dror noted.
Playfulness was the only personality attribute that was considerably more prevalent in gifted canines, according to the research.
Although Border Collies are generally energetic dogs, the gifted dogs were even more playful than the other dogs.
Mr. Miklósi noted, ‘However, it is crucial to highlight that this does not necessarily mean that fun is the source of this talent’
We do not rule out the possibility that the extraordinary playfulness in talented persons is caused by or seen by their owners as a result of frequent interactions with named toys.
Similarly, earlier research has demonstrated that playfulness is associated with problem-solving ability in people.
A 2013 study, for instance, examined the relationship between playfulness, creativity, and numeracy ability.
The researchers wrote in the paper, “This investigation revealed that playfulness boosts individual creative performance and that personal playfulness might predict and positively affect creativity.”
HOW DOES YOUR DOG CHANGE YOUR MIND AND BODY?
- Dogs have been demonstrated to cause their owners to release oxytocin, the “cuddle hormone.”
- The chemical reduces your heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels.
- Our canines also trigger the release of the ‘pleasure hormone’ dopamine in our brains.
- This enhances your disposition and long-term memory.
- Touch and eye contact are powerful inducers of oxytocin and dopamine.
- This indicates that social dog breeds, such as labradors and golden retrievers, are more likely to induce oxytocin release.
- Breeds that are more independent of people, such as the Great Pyrenees, may produce less oxytocin.
- The fight-or-flight reaction is triggered by perceived aggressive dogs such as pit bulls and German shepherds.
- This causes the stress chemicals cortisol and adrenaline to be released.
- These substances can inhibit the immune system on a long-term basis by elevating blood pressure and heart rate.
