Earlier this year, an article about dogs with unusual abilities drew attention after presenting cases of animals capable of learning the names of hundreds of toys.
Scientists noted that this is a rare skill. Globally, only a handful of dogs possess what researchers call an “exceptional word-learning ability.” As the New York Times highlighted, this also serves as a reminder that it is perfectly normal if a pet does not display such extraordinary skills.
Nevertheless, after the article was published, many owners claimed that their own dogs belonged to this category. Some animals did appear impressive, but statistically it is unlikely that all could belong to such a rare group. Most owners were simply describing typical dogs that recognise a few meaningful words from everyday life, such as “walk” or “food.”
Pet Theory
— Stuart Falk (@stufalk) April 16, 2026
In Defense of Dumb Dogs
Your pet is (probably) not a genius, and that’s OK. https://t.co/MvkiMrW3G7
Dogs and human perception
The phenomenon reflects a well-known cognitive bias, according to the New York Times: people tend to overestimate their own abilities and those of those close to them. It would not be surprising if the same tendency applied to pets, particularly at a time when many people consider them members of the family.
This represents a significant shift from the past, when even scientists considered dogs too “simple” to study seriously.
Today, research shows that this perception was mistaken. Dogs possess complex cognitive abilities, including the capacity to understand human gestures and gaze direction, draw apparently logical conclusions, and recognise that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight.
Some evidence also suggests that dogs may possess a rudimentary “theory of mind,” meaning an ability to understand that others can have different thoughts or knowledge.
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— BLEPWorld (@BlepPetcare) April 18, 2026
What studies say about canine intelligence
Although it is difficult to directly compare the intelligence of dogs and children, some dog abilities resemble those of children aged one to three years. However, this comparison has often been misinterpreted.
For example, a 2013 study found that nearly half of dog owners believed their pets had cognitive abilities comparable to children aged three to five, while some attributed even higher levels of intelligence.
Research also shows that people tend to view their own dog as smarter than average. In a 2025 survey, two-thirds of owners said their pet was more intelligent than the average dog, while only 6% considered their dog less intelligent.
In reality, many dogs simply fall somewhere in the middle, which is not necessarily a problem, according to the New York Times. For a companion animal, intelligence is not always the most important trait. Highly intelligent dogs often require constant engagement, become easily bored, and may develop destructive behaviours if they lack sufficient stimulation.
Even a dog without exceptional cognitive skills can still respond effectively to its environment. Dogs can recognise everyday sounds, understand routine behaviours, and adapt to small changes in daily life.
In other words, they possess the abilities they need to live successfully alongside humans.
Ultimately, what makes dogs special may not be how “smart” they are by human standards, but their ability to form strong emotional bonds. Bonds that make us believe, almost without question, that our own dog is the best of all.
With information from the New York Times.