Most dog owners will usually have a misguided belief that they can ‘communicate’ with their animals, that they have a deep bond with the canine.

“We really understand each other.” Yes, of course you do.

Well, all this could change; new technology promises to breakdown the language barrier and allow keepers to understand what is really going on inside their animals’ furry little heads.

The PetPace collar monitors a dog’s temperature, heart rate and breathing activities. The smart collar then texts or emails the owner an alert if any of the readings suggest there is a problem.

It can help to examine the health of the animal and offer early indications should there be a problem on the horizon. It can supposedly even tell you if the four-legged friend is sad or perhaps it has ingested too much of its own excrement.

Dr Asaf Dagan, chief veterinary scientist at PetPace said: “This collar will enable pets, for the first time, to ‘tell’ us how they feel.

“Most importantly, out smart collar will allow veterinarians to provide better medicine and better service to their patients while sealing the bond with pet owners.”

It would seem that the relationship between man and his best friend has truly entered the digital age. And for those wanting to build a deeper understanding of what’s going on with their precious pooch the product is going to go on sale next year for $150 (£90).