Japan study suggests dogs can tell adults from children through voices
TOKYO -- Dogs may be able to link human voices with faces from the corresponding age group when distinguishing adults from children, a study by resear
Tokyo researchers have discovered that dogs can differentiate between adult and child voices by connecting auditory information with visual cues from matching faces. The study, conducted at the University of Osaka's Graduate School of Human Sciences, involved 69 pet dogs including toy poodles and Chihuahuas. Researchers played recordings of a woman around 50 years old and a 6-year-old girl through speakers while displaying corresponding faces on a monitor.
The dogs tended to stare longer when the voice and face matched in age compared to when they did not. The tendency was particularly strong among dogs that had lived with children. These findings could help build safer and better relationships between dogs and children, as dogs that frequently interact with children may have learned the characteristics of children's faces and voices.
The study, published in the British scientific journal Animal Behaviour, provides insight into how dogs perceive human society.
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