Adolf Hitler loved his dogs so much he had Nazi scientists train them to read and write.
Such bizarre experiments are detailed in a new book, “Amazing Dogs: A Cabinet of Canine Curiosities,” by a lecturer at Cardiff University School of Medicine in Wales.
“In the 1920s, Germany had numerous ‘new animal psychologists’ who believed dogs were nearly as intelligent as humans, and capable of abstract thinking and communication,” Dr. Jan Bondeson told The Times of London.
“Part of the Nazi philosophy was that there was a strong bond between humans and nature — they believed a good Nazi should be an animal friend,” he said.
Several clever canines even managed to learn a few new tricks, Bondeson writes.
One dog, an Airdale terrier named Rolf, was able to tap out the alphabet with his paws and shared thoughts on religion. Another pooch, Don, spoke German and could bark, “Hungry! Give me cakes.”
Bondeson also writes that a dog was said to bark “Mein Fuhrer” when he heard the name Adolf Hitler.