Why do some pet owners see dogs as their ‘furry children'?
PARIS : In developed countries, the domesticated dog has become much more than a simple pet – it's often considered a family member in its own right.
Nothing is too good when it comes to offering these pooches the very best, as evidenced by the proliferation of dog-related products and services over the last few decades, including luxury grooming salons, strollers, dog parks, and doggie daycare. There are even restaurants for dogs!
The analogy with a young child is sometimes evident, and owners don't shy away from it: some even refer to their dog as their 'child' or 'baby'.
Whether it's a way to ease loneliness, the satisfaction of having a dependent being to protect and train, or the feeling of being useful or needed, there are many reasons why these canines are perceived as child substitutes.
A team of Hungarian researchers from Elte Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest has studied this phenomenon in western societies. Published in the journal European Psychologist, their study highlights several factors that may explain the phenomenon of likening dogs to children.
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One is that dogs' cognitive abilities and adaptability to human communication enable them to adopt a wide range of social behaviours, often comparable to those of pre-verbal children.
But their morphology could also play a role in this association: in particular, the researchers link the appeal of small dogs – especially breeds like French bulldogs and pugs – to infantile traits that can make them appear 'as helpless, harmless and innocent as small children'.
In the light of these arguments, it's easy to understand why some people call themselves 'dog parents' rather than 'masters' or 'owners' of their pets. But there are nevertheless some key differences.
'Despite the high dependency and attachment of dogs to their caregivers, in the eyes of many, the commitments of dog ownership remain less burdensome than child parenting,' PhD student and study co-author Laura Gillet outlined.
In most cases, dog parents choose canines precisely because they are unlike children, acknowledging their different species-specific needs. (Envato Elements pic)
Another difference is that, since dogs don't live as long as humans, their owners generally assume they will outlive them – which is hopefully not the case with a child.
'While some owners might see their dog as a child surrogate to spoil, others actively choose to have dogs and not children, bearing in mind that they have species-specific characteristics and needs,' the study authors highlight.
They point out that, contrary to popular belief, only a small minority of dog owners actually treat their pets like human children. 'In most cases, dog parents choose canines precisely because they are NOT like children,' stressed study co-author Enikő Kubinyi.
These researchers are not new to the subject: recently, they carried out another study published in the journal Scientific Reports that compared the relationships we have with our dogs to those we have with our loved ones.
The results reveal that, in the eyes of their owners, dogs are more than just loyal companions: they combine the qualities of a child with those of a best friend. They inspire a sense of security and the need for protection, just as a child would, while offering a harmonious, conflict-free relationship – similar to a deep friendship.
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