Human-dog Communication: Breed Is Important As

[Parsifal]

Full article at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0723194319.htm

Dog breeds selected to work in visual contact with humans, such as sheep dogs and gun dogs, are better able to comprehend a pointing gesture than those breeds that usually work without direct supervision. A series of tests should caution researchers against making simple generalizations about the effects of domestication and on dog-wolf differences in the utilization of human visual signals.

The researchers found that gun dogs and sheep dogs were better than hunting hounds, earth dogs (dogs used for underground hunting), livestock guard dogs and sled dogs at following a pointing finger. They also out-performed mongrels. Moreover, breeds with short noses and centrally placed eyes were better at interpreting the gesture than those with long noses and widely spaced eyes, which can probably be connected to a more optimal retinal location of greatest visual acuity, that might help focus their attention.

According to Gácsi, "Although these results may appear to be unsurprising, there is a common tendency to make assumptions about genetic explanations for differences in comprehension between 'dogs' and wolves. Our results show that researchers must be careful to control for animal breed when carrying out behavioral experiments."

[Chicagocanine]

Interesting article. I had always been told that dogs don't look where you point (anecdotally) but I knew that was wrong because all my dogs have done. However my terrier Pooch (earth dog) was even sharper at following pointing than my Golden Retriever or GSD. Being a terrier he was always very good at problem-solving and thinking for himself though.

[LARHAGE]

My terriers too are very good at finger pointing, when I scream they run to me, knowing it's either an insect or a rodent, they than follow my finger and collect their prize.

[Effie325]

My Whippet is a star at this. I can point in any direction and he'll look to see what I have tossed or dropped for him, foodwise. But, he's just plain smart as all heck. He's the most reasoning-wise intelligent dog I have ever had, with the possible exception of my wickedly brilliant Basenji, who could open baby locked cabinets, gates, doors, and would "trick" my family by faking peeing so we'd let her in for her treat.

[Chicagocanine]

Aside from just pointing at a nearby item, my Golden would also look when I would say "look!" and I'd point outward towards some place in the distance. If I said "look!" and did not point she would instead turn her head to examine the whole area to find the "target" I was trying to show her.

[jake]

I think any research carried out in "LAB" setting is faulty.So are some personal stories that talk about BREED but they might be on right track.Maybe regardless of breed healthy well adjusted dogs REALLY coommunicate with the human who they relate to and who ALSO relates to them.Can't think of any way to duplicate this in lab setting or to document findings.If your dog "communicates"with you believe it = most prob true (breed has nothing to do with it).