Let’s talk about “talking” dogs! Reviewing the science behind a bold idea

Abstract The concept of a “talking” dog has long fascinated humans, as presented throughout history in pieces of folklore, literature, and other fields of culture. While speech, as we know, is a uniquely human trait, the evolution of dogs in close proximity to humans has allowed them to develop strategies that facilitate heterospecific communication with us. In this work, we explore the scientific plausibility of enhancing canine vocalisation towards speech-like communication, as Csányi (Bukfenc és Jeromos: hogyan gondolkodnak a kutyák? Vince K, 2001) suggested. Our approach involves a comprehensive overview of the anatomical, cognitive, and evolutionary features of dogs that may relate to speech, as well as describing their role in popular culture and examining novel technological aspects. We also provide an outlook on hypothetical possibilities of a “talking” dog and its possible implications. We conclude that while dogs have acquired remarkable human-directed social and communicative skills, the feasibility and desirability of spoken language in dogs remain questionable. Instead, understanding canine vocal and non-vocal communication within the context of human–animal interaction provides valuable insights into both language evolution and the mechanisms underpinning interspecies cooperation, also providing practical tools for the novel field of ethorobotics.