Today’s New York Times Strands puzzle (#695) focuses on dog-related terms. The puzzle, like others in the series, requires identifying hidden words fitting a common theme. Players unlock in-game hints by finding words of four letters or more; once three are discovered, a theme word is revealed.
Decoding the Theme: Canine Classics
The central theme is “Canine classics,” referencing popular dog breeds, commands, or common associations. If stuck, consider phrases like “Sit! Speak! Roll over!” as a starting point.
Key Words and Solutions
The non-spangram answers for today’s puzzle are:
- BLUE
- SPOT
- BUDDY
- ROVER
- SCOUT
- CHAMP
- SCRUFFY
- BANDIT
The spangram (a word spanning the entire grid) is HEREBOY. Locate the ‘H’ five rows down on the far-left side to begin tracing the full word horizontally.
Strands Strategy and Difficulty
Strands puzzles vary in difficulty, but some themes prove particularly challenging. Past hard topics include dated slang (e.g., the word PHAT) and niche subjects like marine biology (BALEEN or RIGHT). The core mechanic is identifying multiple words of four or more letters to unlock theme-based hints.
Where to Find More Puzzle Solutions
For additional assistance with other New York Times games like Wordle, Mini Crossword, and Connections, CNET offers daily hints and answers.
In conclusion, Strands rewards patience and pattern recognition. The “Canine classics” theme is straightforward once a few key words are identified, but the spangram requires careful grid scanning.
