# Dogs show sound-shape bias known as the bouba-kiki effect

Researchers found that dogs, like humans, tend to associate certain nonsense words with rounded or spiky shapes in the bouba-kiki effect. The finding suggests this cross-sensory bias may not be unique to humans and could help explain how language and perception evolved.

**Importance:** 2/5

## Sources

### Science
- [New Scientist](https://www.newscientist.com/article/2593290-dogs-are-susceptible-to-the-bouba-kiki-effect/?utm_campaign=RSS|NSNS&utm_content=home&utm_medium=RSS&utm_source=NSNS) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 23:01:00 +0000