Basket Baumgartel-Austin, dog academic
Basket is a gifted word learner (GWL) Border Collie from New York City. GWL dogs have the remarkable ability to remember and recognize the names of multiple objects.
As a member of this rare group of dogs, she participates in citizen science experiments to help researchers better understand canine cognition, including work published in Science.
When she's not working, Basket enjoys frisbee in Central Park, Barney Greengrass, and playing video games.
As Seen In
Dogs Build Their Vocabularies Like Toddlers
These clever dogs rival toddlers when it comes to learning words
These dogs can learn new words just by eavesdropping
Some dogs can classify their toys by function
Gifted Dogs With Big Vocabs Have Traits In Common
Upper West Side Genius Dog Featured in The New York Times
Dogs Build Their Vocabularies Like Toddlers
Jan 2026These clever dogs rival toddlers when it comes to learning words
Jan 2026These dogs can learn new words just by eavesdropping
Jan 2026Some dogs can classify their toys by function
Sep 2025Gifted Dogs With Big Vocabs Have Traits In Common
Dec 2023Upper West Side Genius Dog Featured in The New York Times
Jan 2026