If you’re hooked on the daily NYT Strands puzzle, you’re in good company. It’s a fresh word game from the New York Times that blends classic word search mechanics with clever, theme-based twists.
27 January 2026 NYT Strands Theme:
“Canine classics”
This theme is all about beloved dog names — the kind you’d hear at the park, in movies, or from your childhood pet.
27 January 2026 NYT Strands Hints
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Think of common dog names you’ve heard over the years
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Several answers feel like names you’d give a loyal family pet or a playful pup
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Try building off short, simple combinations like “SPOT” or “BLUE”
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Don’t forget that diagonals can hide some of the trickier names
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The spangram ties everything together with something you might call out to get your dog’s attention
27 January 2026 NYT Strands Answers
Here are all the theme words for today’s Strands puzzle:
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Blue
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Champ
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Scout
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Rover
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Bandit
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Scruffy
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Buddy
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Spot
Spangram
Hereboy
This spangram perfectly captures what links all these words together: they’re the kind of names you might shout — “Here, boy!” — when calling a favorite dog over. It neatly unites the entire set of classic canine names.
How Strands works
Strands is a daily word search puzzle with a twist:
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You’re given a theme.
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The grid is packed with hidden words tied to that theme.
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Words can run in any direction, including diagonals.
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Once you find all the theme words, you’re done!
Each puzzle usually has around 6–8 theme words, plus a spangram that connects them all.
How to get and use hints
Hints are built right into Strands, and they’re super handy if you get stuck:
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To earn a hint, find any non-theme word of at least four letters in the grid.
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Each valid extra word gives you one hint.
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When you use a hint, one of the theme words will be revealed automatically, helping you move forward.
Pro tip: Don’t burn through hints too quickly. Save them for when the board feels truly locked. Often, a single revealed word can unlock a whole cluster of related answers.
Tips to become a NYT Strands pro
- Start with obvious words. For today’s puzzle, that might mean short, classic names like “SPOT” or “ROVER” that stand out quickly.
- Scan diagonals early. Strands loves to tuck key theme words at an angle, especially the longer ones.
- Build around found words. Once one name is cleared, look at the letters connected to it — they often lead naturally to the next dog name.
- Use hints wisely. Earn them steadily with bonus words, then deploy them only when you’re truly stuck.
- Think thematically. With “Canine classics,” any name that feels like a familiar dog from stories, TV, or real life is a strong candidate.
Final thoughts
The 27 January 2026 NYT Strands puzzle is a charming, nostalgic romp for anyone who loves dogs. The theme is straightforward but satisfying, with a nice mix of short, snappy names and slightly longer ones that require a bit more grid awareness. Did you manage to round up Blue, Champ, Scout, Rover, Bandit, Scruffy, Buddy, Spot, and the spangram Hereboy without using any hints — or did this pack of pups give you a run for your money? 🐶
