Why We Love Dogs, According to Science

Another equally relevant theory suggests that wolves, in practice, domesticated themselves. The less timid began to approach human settlements to collect leftover food, and at some point people realized that this relationship was beneficial. The bolder, less fearful wolves survived and reproduced more often, and these “docile” traits were passed down from generation to generation through natural selection.

For Greger Larson, a geneticist and professor of evolutionary genomics at the University of Oxford, it all started as a chance encounter, when humans and wolves realized they could help each other.

“Saying we domesticated wolves attributes an intentionality that most relationships in our lives don’t have. It makes it seem like we knew exactly what we were doing, that there was a plan, and that we were smart from the start,” says Professor Larson.

According to him, there were mutual benefits at the beginning of this relationship, such as more efficient hunting. “I think we probably benefited because, if these wolves considered us part of their group, they acted as sentinels, which made everything a little safer. And, from the wolf’s point of view, there could be greater regularity in access to food,” adds the professor.

Over thousands of years, humans began to select dogs with specific characteristics, such as hunting or herding abilities. And their “career options” have changed significantly since they were cave rangers, to include roles such as guide dogs or detecting suspicious packages at airports.

This human intervention in natural selection is why there are hundreds of different breeds of dogs today. And, according to anthropozoologist John Bradshaw, they have a greater range of sizes than any other mammal.

At some point in history, the role of the dog ceased to be limited to helping us and became a member of the family.

In 2020, an analysis of pet cemetery headstones carried out by the University of Newcastle, UK, revealed significant changes in the way people relate to their pets since 1881, when the first public pet cemetery opened. According to research, in the Victorian era, animals were more often described on gravestones as companions or friends, while later burials treated them as members of the family. The study noted that references to animals as family members increased after World War II.

Research has also recorded a growth in the belief in an afterlife for companion animals since the mid-20th century.

According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, the ideal time for puppies to stay with their mother and siblings is eight to 12 weeks. This is a crucial phase for the socialization and development of the dog.

A 2018 study from Arizona State University suggests that dogs also reach their cuteness peak from this point on.

“It is precisely during this critical period, when dogs are most vulnerable to abandonment by their mothers and are still completely incapable of surviving on their own, that they become cuter in the eyes of humans, who tend to take on this responsibility, take them home and start feeding them,” explains Professor Larson.

Additionally, a 2019 study found that dogs have developed muscles around their eyes that allow them to make expressions that appeal to humans, such as the famous “doggie look.” According to research, this helped domestic dogs bond with people.

“Once a cub learns that humans are friendly, its instinct tells it that its best chance of survival is to attach itself to one person,” explains anthropozologist Bradshaw.

Most people are convinced that their dogs love them back, and now scientists have proof that it is actually affection for humans that drives much of canine behavior.

Gregory Berns, a neuroscientist and professor of psychology at Emory University, studies the relationship between dogs and humans. He trained the dogs to stay still during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans to observe their brains. Their research showed that an area of ​​the brain associated with positive expectations is most activated by the smell of a familiar human.

In other words, we may not be able to avoid loving dogs – and the feeling may be mutual.