"Doggie Playdates: How Social Interaction Protects Canine Cognitive Health"
A study by researchers at Eötvös Loránd University has found that dogs possess a general cognitive factor similar to humans, impacting their overall cognitive performance across various tasks. The study involved 129 dogs of different breeds and ages, and identified a hierarchical structure of canine cognition, with specific abilities contributing to an overarching 'g factor.' This factor was found to decline with age and was linked to personality traits and health issues. The research suggests that dogs could serve as a valuable model for studying cognitive aging and provides insights for future interventions aimed at enhancing cognitive health in dogs.