From simple behavioural tests to EEG measurements: Studying linguistic competence in dogs

This critical review examines non-human manifestations of linguistic competence and its precursors, with a focus on findings from studies on domestic dogs ( Canis familiaris ). Previous research – including both theoretical reviews and empirical studies – has widely demonstrated that the domestic dog serves as an ideal natural model for studying a broad range of cognitive and behavioural traits shared with humans. Studies also indicate that dogs can interpret human communication cues in a remarkably child-like manner; they possess functionally human-analogous, voice-sensitive cortical regions and show specific neural responses to speech. Moreover, some dogs show evidence of learning word-object associations in ways unprecedented among nonhuman species. Together, these findings strongly support the translational value of dog-human comparisons for exploring the evolution of skills related to faculties of language and suggest that dogs may serve as models for studying natural variability in children’s world learning abilities. • Dogs ( Canis familiaris ) may be an ideal natural model for the evolution linguistic competence • Precursors of language comprehension abilities have been found in dogs • Dogs have been shown to interpret human communication cues in a child-like manner • Exceptional dogs learn word-object associations in ways unprecedented among nonhuman species • Findigs support the translational value of dog-human comparisons related to language