Dogs are more than pets – Earth.com

Dogs began to play an irreplaceable role in our hearts, moving from kennels to the warmest corners of our homes. They are no longer “just pets”; Dogs are considered friends, family, guardians, and even children for some.

Recent research from the Department of Ethology at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) examines these relationships, shedding light on how social trends and individual owner profiles shape the care provided to dogs.

Human-dog relationships

The change in human-dog relations in Western cultures is striking. dog has climbed the status ladder to become man’s best friend, a beloved family member, and even a shaggy canine child.

This change is so pronounced that two-thirds of dog owners say their dog is more important than any other person in their life.

Why has humanity’s friendship with dogs become so strong?

An important factor may be the demographic transition over the last few decades, evident in smaller families and declining birth rates.

As people feel increasingly lonely and socially isolated, dogs have emerged as comforting companions that fill the void left by human contact. So how does this trend affect dogs’ daily lives? This is exactly the question ELTE researchers are looking for an answer to.

What makes dogs so cute?

In their quest to determine why dogs are so valuable, ELTE Researchers analyzed survey data from nearly 800 dog owners.

Results? A whopping 97.6% of owners were satisfied with physical contact with their partners dogs93.7% preferred the unconditional love their dog provided, while 88.4% admired the aesthetics of their four-legged friend.

However, when it came to dog-generated social interactions, the percentages varied; 24.3% of dog owners did not find it helpful.

The roles of dogs in families and beyond

The study allowed owners to assign their dogs a variety of roles, such as friend, family member, child, colleague, pet or security guard.

“We found three different owner profiles whose dogs took on different social and practical roles,” said Laura Gillet, lead author of the study and doctoral student in the Department of Ethology.

For example, some owners viewed their dogs in dual roles as co-workers, security guards, and favorite companions.

Dog parents and companion dogs

Another group of owners, labeled “dog parents,” saw their dogs in human-like roles without any practical functions. There was also a group of owners who kept dogs primarily for companionship. emotional distance from their pets.

The researchers also took into account the type of dogs owned. For example, dogs with dual roles were breeds known for their working abilities, such as the Border Collie, Belgian Shepherd, and German Shepherd.

Owners who kept dogs for companionship preferred Mudi, English Cocker Spaniel and Labrador Retriever breeds and were generally older.

“Dog parents,” on the other hand, favored Border collies, Vizslas, Boxers, and Dachshunds and were more likely to keep their dogs indoors only.

Should dogs be part of the family?

The researchers also collected data on behavioral problems in the dogs, which are often seen as indicators of canine welfare.

However, regardless of the roles owners ascribe to their dogs, no relationship was found between these roles and perceived behavioral problems in the dogs.

This finding suggests that assigning human-like roles to dogs does not have a negative impact on their well-being.

Changing dynamics of dogs and their owners

In conclusion? Dogs can fill a variety of roles in our lives that offer different benefits. This unique research methodology reveals the intricacies of the dog-human bond and its effects on humans. daily lives of dogs.

Younger owners, in particular, appear to form stronger emotional bonds with their dogs and refer to them as their children more than older generations.

This generational shift in how we perceive our relationship with dogs requires broader research to understand what it says not only about the well-being of our four-legged friends, but also about our thriving families and communities.

Dogs have truly become more than just pets to us. They have become companions who walk with us through life’s ups and downs, offering comfort and joy.

As we further uncover the dog-human dynamic, it becomes clear that our furry friends will remain not only in our homes, but in the deepest corners of our hearts.

The study was published in the journal Atmospheric Research.

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