Which Dog Breed Should Be Your Language-Learning Partner?

You got the pointy-ear boy! The German shepherd as a breed was named by Max von Stephanitz, a German who believed dogs should be bred for work. When he encountered this specimen, he immediately decided that this was the ideal dog for working. Athletic, agile and strong, the German shepherd is a great learning companion, whether you're learning German or just want someone to go on runs with you when you're listening to foreign-language podcasts.

You got the smushie boy! French bulldogs are very in vogue right now. While dogs should never be treated as accessories, the cuteness of these dogs can't be denied. Descendants of the English bulldog and very popular in France during the 19th century, Frenchies are known for being smart and active dogs. That means they'll be a great learning companion, especially if you're learning French.

You got the posh boy! This breed was originally bred in Yorkshire, England, to be ratters, meaning they'd run around factories catching rodents. It's hard to imagine that today, as these terriers are perhaps best-known for their luxurious fur, which makes them look like they should be a member of English royalty. Known for being exceedingly affectionate, this terrier will be a great dog for practicing your vocab on.

You got the big-eye boy! The first Boston terrier was purchased by Robert C. Hooper in Boston, Massachusetts, in the late 19th century. They're descendents of bulldog and terrier breeds, and share a history with the fun-named Olde Boston Bulldogge. These terriers are fun, friendly and have a very deadpan sense of humor, meaning they'll be a perfect partner when you're practicing jokes in a new language.

You got the working boy! The history of this dog involves a lot of breeding for work purposes, as they were crossed with many different dogs to make them smaller and smaller collies. They were imported into New York from the Shetland Islands in Scotland sometime in the early 20th century by John G. Sherman, Jr. They're great and graceful watch dogs, so they'll do their best to guard you as you practice your grammar and vocab. They also might still know a little Scots.

You got the massive boy! While Bernese mountain dogs are gentle, they are also definitely giants. Named after Berne, the capital of Switzerland, these dogs live their best lives in colder climates, because their thick, luxurious coats keep them nice and warm. You also probably wouldn't want to keep one in a small apartment, either. These good-natured dogs will be patient and kind as you work through the pluperfect once again. Switzerland also has four official languages — French, Italian, German and Romansh — so you might even get a polyglot dog.

You got the perky boy! While these dogs may have a serious face, they're highly excitable, and quite a handful (especially when they're puppies). As the name implies, they have Belgian ancestry, and were used for herding sheep back in the day. Nowadays they're commonly used as police or military dogs, but they'll probably appreciate spending their time learning a language instead. Belgium is a trilingual nation — French, German and Dutch — so these dogs are a good choice for your own language-learning.

You got the black-and-white boy! They're called "water dogs" because for a lot of their history, they were used along the coasts of Portugal to herd fish into nets and to send things from ship to ship. They weren't brought to the United States until 1958, but have slowly grown in popularity since then. When the Obamas chose a Portuguese water dog as the First Dog of the White House, they got a lot of media attention. These dogs are incredibly energetic and described by the American Kennel Club as an "A" student — adventurous, affectionate and athletic — making them an ideal study partner.

You got the wrinkly boy! Their name means "sand-skin," referring to the course, short hairs they have. These dogs date back to the Han Dynasty (200 B.C.) in the southern provinces of China, but they weren't brought over to the United States until the late 20th century. These dogs are calm and gentle, and are known for being extraordinarily loyal to their owners (if a bit standoffish with everyone else). That means they'll stick by you even after hours of struggling with that tonal language you're working on.

You got the tall boy! Irish wolfhounds have in the past been called the "Big Dogs of Ireland" and they have certainly earned that name. These are sadly not the best dogs if you live in a city or another crowded area, but if you live on the countryside they're a great choice.They're a very old breed, dating back thousands of years, and they're at their best when they interact with humans daily. So basically, they're perfect for your language-learning journey.