Objects with smooth, rounded forms tend to generate deeper, more fluid sounds when they move or strike one another, whereas sharp-edged items produce harsher, more abrupt noises.
Both human and canine brains may have developed to connect auditory qualities with visual characteristics.
This study adds to a growing body of evidence dogs comprehend far more of human communication than many might assume.
Earlier this year, researchers at Eotvos Lorand University in Hungary discovered certain exceptionally talented dogs could pick up the names of unfamiliar toys merely by listening in on their owners’ conversations, mirroring a skill typically seen in toddlers of around 18 months.
That particular ability seems to be uncommon among dogs.
Nevertheless, separate research has shown canine brains handle spoken language in a manner remarkably similar to our own, distinguishing them from other animal species.
