A Border Collie from Reading named Harvey, thought to be Britain’s brightest dog, has learned the names of all 221 of his toys and now helps with studies into canine intelligence. The seven-year-old can fetch any toy on command and has been accepted into research projects in Budapest and Portsmouth.
Owner Irene Hewlett, 52, began teaching Harvey when he was a puppy, starting with a single toy called 'Little Lamb.' He now knows 221 toys, including 'Larry the Leek,' and can learn a new name in about five minutes. Harvey’s 'toy finding' job keeps him mentally stimulated, and he receives dog treats as payment.
Research from the University of Portsmouth has identified only ten other dogs worldwide with a similar ability to associate hundreds of words with objects. Scientists hope Harvey’s game can help identify other talented dogs that may assist charities or people in need.
Harvey sometimes confuses toys with names that start with similar sounds, like 'Postbox' and 'Polar Bear,' but uses touch to distinguish them. His owner says the biggest challenge is finding new toys, as many are very similar, so some have Dutch names to add variety.
Dr Juliane Kaminski from the University of Portsmouth is studying what makes dogs like Harvey special in terms of cognition and learning.
