A Border Collie from the UK is being celebrated as a canine genius after demonstrating an extraordinary ability to recognise and fetch over 200 of his toys by their individual names.
From Little Lamb to Larry the Leek
Seven-year-old Harvey, owned by 52-year-old translator Irene Hewlett, has mastered the names of an impressive 221 unique toys. The journey began with a single toy named Little Lamb. Irene, originally from Amsterdam, developed a method where Harvey learns a new toy's name through introduction, touch, and retrieval from various locations until he fully understands the association.
"He picks new toys up in about five minutes now," Irene explained. "This is what we do all day every day. Border Collies are working dogs, so they need a job, and this is his job. He just wants to play this every second."
Academic Recognition and Daily Life
Harvey's remarkable talent has earned him the title of 'Britain's brightest dog' and caught the attention of researchers. He has been accepted into two separate studies for 'genius' dogs, one in Budapest, Hungary, and another in Portsmouth, UK.
Irene emphasises that this is not a performance but a way of life. "It is not just that Harvey can do this, this is what he does. We are not showing off a skill, we do this at home when nobody is watching. We do it because we love it," she said. Friends visiting her home are often surprised by Harvey's calm precision and ability.
The Training Journey and Future Hopes
Irene was inspired by the famous American dog Chaser, who knew over 1,000 objects. After her rescue dog Charlie passed away, she bought Harvey as a puppy from a Liverpool breeder with the intent of training him. The initial stages were challenging. Harvey was confused after the second and third toys were introduced. However, upon reaching the fourth toy, something 'clicked' and his understanding accelerated.
Now, the main challenge is finding new and distinct toys to add to the collection, as many brands offer similar items. Some toys even have Dutch names to help differentiate them. The family has amassed a variety of festive toys, including a Brussels sprout, a mince pie, reindeer, and a Christmas pudding.
Looking ahead, Irene hopes for a sponsorship from toy company Jelly Cat due to their wide range of unique products, which would help expand Harvey's vocabulary further. Despite her success, Irene has no plans to train a second dog, stating she is a "one dog person."
Harvey's story highlights the incredible potential of canine intelligence and the deep bond that forms through dedicated, positive training and mental stimulation.
