Dogs seem to associate 'bouba' with round shapes and 'kiki' with spiky ones

New Scientist reports that researchers tested 51 pet dogs with round and spiky shapes. When they heard 'bouba,' 56 percent lingered on the round shape; when they heard 'kiki,' 63 percent focused on the spiky one. The pattern persisted when owners wore headphones. The researchers say the link may reflect how brains integrate different senses, though the role of dogs' experience with human speech remains unclear.