The Meaning of Dog Barks
- By Susan K. Lewis
- Posted 10.28.10
- NOVA
Can you tell the difference between a dog bark that says "I'm lonely, don't leave me!" and one that warns "Don't get close, I might bite!"? Researchers in Hungary have found that we humans have a remarkable ability to categorize various types of dog vocalizations and understand their emotional content—in effect, to "speak canine." Try it yourself, and learn what this inter-species communication might mean about the evolution of dogs.
Listen to a variety of dog barks—from woofs to whines—and try to interpret their meaning.
Sources
Pongrí¡cz, P., Miklí³si, í., Molní¡r, Cs., and Csí¡nyi, V. (2005) Human Listeners Are Able to Classify Dog (Canis familiaris) Barks Recorded in Different Situations. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 119, 136-144.
Credits
- Producer:
- Susan K. Lewis
- Designer:
- Tyler Howe
- Developer:
- Dan Hart
- Special thanks to ídí¡m Miklí³si and Tamí¡s Faragí³ for providing recordings and editorial review.
Images
- (Mudi)
- © PICANI PICANI/imagebroker.net
- (sad whippet)
- © Andrew Dorey/iStockphoto
- (Labrador retriever puppy)
- © Erik Lam/iStockphoto
- (German shepherd)
- © Erik Lam/iStockphoto
- (Chihuahua)
- © Eric Isselée/iStockphoto
- (American Staffordshire terrier)
- © Erik Lam/iStockphoto
- (Jack Russell terrier)
- © Mikko Pitkänen/iStockphoto
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