Of course, Microsoft's new app, which was released on Thursday, has already found a higher calling than that envisaged by its coders' specifically canine plans; some internet surfers came up with the idea of using the app to determine the exact dog pedigree of famous human beings.
The app not only identifies the breed of the "doggie" in the photo, it also gives a description of the breed's temperament, which sometimes coincides with the traits of an unsuspecting star or world leader whose photo has been submitted.
While flattering for someone and insulting for others, here below you can see the results for several key political players and determine for yourself whether the descriptions are a match or a mismatch.
Russian president Vladimir Putin's canine twin is a German Shepherd; its traits include being "intense" and "highly intelligent." Well, it's hard to disagree on that match.
"Independent-minded" German Chancellor Angela Merkel is apparently a Collie, who seeks to "herd others," according to the site. Her doggie double is also a "renowned barker".
US President Barack Obama's dog-gone doppelganger is a floppy-eared Basset Hound, who is "easily distracted by scent and has a most discerning nose."
The app has Syrian President Bashar Assad pegged as an adorable Labrador Retriever, which it says has a "strong muscular body" and a "waterproof coat". Putin once had a black Labrador Retriever named Koni, who often attended staff meetings and accompanied him when he met with foreign heads of state.
Francois Hollande was likened to a Miniature Schnauzer, a dog it considers "smart & spunky, feisty & playful, vocal & personable." Perhaps this is a tad off the mark as the UK Independent describes the French President as "a politician with the personality of bread mold," and some Russians dislike him for having terminated a contract for the delivery of Mistral warships last summer.
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is aptly likened to the likable Golden Retriever; according to the American political journal Foreign Policy, "his charming personality is positive and infectious" while Russia eyes him as a potential ally. Golden Retrievers are described as "strong & active" as well as "gentle & eager to please."
David Cameron is a "friendly" Irish Setter, who the site claims is also "eager and a bit stubborn." The UK Prime Minister, who wants his country to stay in the EU but desires reforms, was also ironically described as a "great jogging partner."
Turkish Erdogan was likened to a ferocious black-faced South African guard dog, the Boerboel, whose canine credentials include its "protective nature" which is known to "cause damage when jumping." According to the site, the animal is "Obedient only after training," leading one to question if Erdogan has been trained and, if so, by whom?
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, however ironically, shares US President Obama's Basset Hound breed and "barks at strangers".
Perhaps the site's most apt personality description was that of Kim Jong Un, who turned out to be an Afghan Hound: an "aloof" dong which "requires daily brushing," according to the site.
