Harvey the border collie from Reading named one of Britain’s smartest dogs
Local dog’s curiosity revealed as key to learning over 200 object names in global study
Harvey, a border collie from Reading, has been named one of Britain’s smartest dogs after memorising the names of 203 toys as part of a major international study into exceptional canine cognition.
The research, led by the University of Portsmouth’s Dog Cognition Centre in collaboration with Friedrich Schiller University of Jena in Germany, focused on dogs who can learn hundreds of objects by name – a skill so rare it’s found in only a few dogs worldwide.
Harvey's owner, Irene, revealed that curiosity is one of his defining traits, something that stood out in the study’s findings:
“It's great to know Harvey’s curiosity is a big part of why he’s so good at identifying objects by name. As an owner, it also helps to be curious. I've always encouraged his interest in toys, so much so that we have over 220 of them!”
The study, published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports, involved 11 dogs from five countries, all identified by their owners as possessing ‘label-learning’ skills. These dogs were put through eight cognitive tests to pinpoint what sets them apart from other dogs.
Dr Juliane Kaminski, Associate Professor at the University of Portsmouth, explained the rigorous process:
“The dogs had to demonstrate their label-learning abilities by fetching the correct object out of several options upon hearing the name, without visual cues from their owners. It's an ability that is extremely rare and appears to be an inherent natural trait.”
According to the research, three key traits distinguish label-learner dogs like Harvey:
Curiosity, which fuels their interest in unfamiliar objects
Focus, leading them to pay attention to specific items
Inhibition, helping them control their reactions to stimuli
Dr Kaminski and her collaborator, Dr Juliane Bräuer, found clear differences between label learners and the average dog population. Dr Bräuer commented:
“Label learner dogs are so rare that it was not possible to find more than 11 for this particular study. However, to uncover such distinct traits in these dogs was really surprising.”
The findings could eventually lead to a ‘Puppy IQ Test’ to identify dogs with label-learning potential, which may prove useful for training service animals to assist those with disabilities or work in law enforcement settings.
Dr Kaminski has been researching dog cognition for over two decades, inspired by Rico, a border collie she saw on German television who could identify 200 labelled objects. Since opening the Dog Cognition Centre at the University of Portsmouth in 2013, the team has conducted studies where dogs complete non-invasive tasks and games to better understand their interactions with humans and their environments.
Harvey’s success in the study exemplifies how curiosity, a key trait highlighted by the research, can unlock exceptional cognitive skills.
The team is keen to find more of these rare label learner dogs. Owners who believe their pets might fit the criteria are encouraged to contact the researchers via email at [email protected] .