A new study has found that some dogs are able to sort toys by function and extend those labels to categorize new objects. This cognitive leap, known as "label extension," is typically seen in toddlers during language development. The study observed gifted learner dogs, including border collies and a blue heeler, who were able to rapidly learn verbal labels for toys through day-to-day interactions with their families.

The researchers noted that the dogs were able to apply labels for familiar toys to new ones based on their function, rather than just visual similarities. This demonstrates a vocabulary-based functional classification in a non-linguistic species and opens up new avenues for studying language-related skills in animals. The study adds to a growing body of research on dogs' ability to process and interpret human language, showcasing their complex communication abilities and understanding of verbal commands.