Today's NYT Strands is live for Tuesday, January 27, 2026 (Puzzle #695). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "Canine classics"
What It Really Means
This theme focuses on classic, traditional, or well-known dog names - the kind you'd hear called at a park or see in old movies.
Think About...
- Common dog names from childhood stories or movies
- Traditional pet names that have stood the test of time
- Names you'd expect to see on a dog tag at the vet
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Horizontal
Letter Count: 8 letters
Starting Zone: First letter of the fifth row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): A classic command you'd shout to call your dog back to you.
Hint 2 (Warmer): Two words combined into one, often yelled across a yard or field.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is H, last letter is Y
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HEREBOY
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A color often associated with certain breeds.
Closer: Think of the Great ___ or ___ Heeler.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 4 letters total
Answer
BLUE
Word 2
Vague: A title for a winner or top performer.
Closer: What you might call a dog who wins at a show.
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 5 letters total
Answer
CHAMP
Word 3
Vague: A wanderer or explorer.
Closer: A very common dog name, also a brand of vehicles.
Letter Clue: Starts with R, 5 letters total
Answer
ROVER
Word 4
Vague: Someone who investigates or gathers information.
Closer: A name for a clever, observant dog.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 5 letters total
Answer
SCOUT
Word 5
Vague: A close friend or companion.
Closer: The ultimate friendly dog name.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 5 letters total
Answer
BUDDY
Word 6
Vague: Describes a dog with messy or unkempt fur.
Closer: A name for a dog with a rough, scruffy appearance.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 7 letters total
Answer
SCRUFFY
Word 7
Vague: A mark or small area of color.
Closer: A classic name for a dog with distinctive markings.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 4 letters total
Answer
SPOT
Word 8
Vague: An outlaw or thief.
Closer: A name for a mischievous or sneaky dog.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 6 letters total
Answer
BANDIT
Full Answers
Spangram: HEREBOY
Theme Words:
- BLUE
- CHAMP
- ROVER
- SCOUT
- BUDDY
- SCRUFFY
- SPOT
- BANDIT
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: SCRUFFY (The 7-letter length and double F make it less obvious than the shorter, more common names)
Our Take: A solid theme that delivers exactly what it promises - classic dog names everyone recognizes. The spangram HEREBOY cleverly captures the essence of calling a dog, while the word list hits all the expected notes from BUDDY to ROVER. No surprises, just straightforward execution of a familiar concept.
