With up to two-thirds of dog owners considering their pets more important than humans in their lives, understanding these relationships is crucial.
Why it matters: New research reveals how different owner perspectives on dogs’ roles shape canine care and human-animal relationships. This shift reflects broader societal changes in family structures and social connections.
- Rising loneliness and smaller families have elevated dogs’ social importance.
Key finding: Researchers identified three distinct owner profiles: those viewing dogs with dual practical/emotional functions, “dog parents” emphasizing human-like roles, and traditional companionship-focused owners.
“Interestingly, even though we collected data from online groups dedicated to family dogs, the owners weren’t all the same.”
Laura Gillet, PhD student at ELTE’s Department of Ethology
The process:
- Surveyed 800 dog owners
- Analyzed multiple possible roles for dogs
- Examined correlations with breed choices and training methods
Keep in mind: Despite varying owner attitudes, researchers found no connection between attributed roles and behavioral problems in dogs.
Real-world impact: The findings suggest generational differences in dog ownership, with younger owners forming stronger emotional bonds and more likely to view dogs as children.
- This could influence pet industry services, veterinary care approaches, and product development.
TL;DR
- Almost all owners value physical contact and “unconditional love” from their dogs, though benefits vary by owner type.
- Different owner profiles correlate with specific breed preferences and management styles.
- Younger generations are forming increasingly close emotional bonds with their dogs, potentially reshaping the pet care industry.
Dive Deeper
Read the Paper: The role of dogs is associated with owner management practices and characteristics, but not with perceived canine behaviour problems.
News Release: Guardian, kids, or companions? What do dogs mean to us today