Sign language

BBC Two Northern Ireland

Cats v Dogs: Which Is Best?

BBC Two Scotland

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

BBC Two England

England

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two HD

Simulcast of BBC Two Northern Ireland in high definition

BBC Two Northern Ireland HD

Simulcast of BBC Two Wales in high definition

BBC Two Wales HD

Cats v Dogs: Which is Best?

Chris Packham

Liz Bonnin

Dale Templar

Fiona Caldwell

Davina Bristow

Boundless Productions

Cats v Dogs: Which Is Best?: Episode 2

Documentaries

cats-vs-dogs_110816_ep2_sg.jpg

Episode 2

BBC Two - Cats v Dogs: Which Is Best?, Episode 2

Chris Packham and Liz Bonnin test whether cats and dogs really love us.

Chris Packham and Liz Bonnin battle it out to find out whether cats or dogs are the better animal. The final round looks at whether cats and dogs really love us.

Chris Packham and Liz Bonnin battle it out over five more rounds as they put our favourite pets through their paces, beginning with which animal is easier to train. Chris uncovers brand new research in Budapest which suggests that dogs' brains may actually respond positively to our praise, which could make them easier to train. Not to be outdone, Liz meets an amazing cat called Cosmos who can choose his own TV channels.  

Round two looks at communication. Chris knows that humans can understand most dog barks, but how well do cat owners understand cat meows? Liz puts them to the test. Border collie Gable can recognise over 150 words, and in Vienna, Chris discovers whether dogs can distinguish between happy and sad human faces.

In round three, Liz runs her version of the 'stress factor' where, along with a team of researchers, she finds out which is better at reducing our stress, a cat or a dog.

Round four is about independence. Liz meets Bob, a cheeky roving cat with several owners. Closer to home, Chris is dismayed to see his own poodles display signs of anxiety when he leaves the house.
 
The final round looks at the big question: do our cats and dogs really love us? The love hormone oxytocin has already been studied in dogs. But in a world first, the programme looks at oxytocin in cats too. Chris and Liz get the exclusive results of this groundbreaking new research at the end of the series and reveal some surprising new science about how we bond with our pets. Chris and Liz sum up their findings, but who will come out on top, the cats or the dogs?

BBC Two

Knowledge, drama, comedy and the arts for a broad adult audience.

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

Factual: Pets & Animals

Chris Packham and Liz Bonnin battle it out to find an answer to the burning question.

Armed with the latest global scientific research, Chris Packham and Liz Bonnin battle it out to find the definitive answer to the burning question - which are best, cats or dogs?

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Cats v Dogs: Which Is Best?

Episode 2

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Series

BBC Two Northern Ireland

About BBC Two