Recent research from Eötvös Loránd University sheds light on the unique and fulfilling bond between humans and dogs, suggesting that dogs often surpass human relationships in providing emotional support, loyalty, and companionship.
In a comprehensive study, researchers sought to explore the role dogs play in human social networks, comparing them to human-to-human relationships. The study, which surveyed over 700 dog owners, found that the bond between owners and their pets often mirrors the closeness of a child-parent relationship, but with fewer conflicts and greater emotional satisfaction.
One of the most notable findings was that dog owners reported stronger emotional fulfillment from their pets than from any human connection, including romantic partners, family members, or close friends. Owners viewed their dogs as reliable, low-conflict companions, offering a unique mix of nurturing and security typically associated with children. The study highlighted that dogs, unlike people, are under the complete control of their owners, contributing to a more predictable and satisfying relationship.
Senior author Enikő Kubinyi, head of the ethology department at the university, emphasized the fundamental power imbalance that exists in pet ownership. “The relationship with dogs involves few conflicts and minimal negative interactions, which contrasts sharply with the complexities of human relationships,” Kubinyi explained. This power dynamic, where owners make most of the decisions for their pets, contributes significantly to the satisfaction owners report.
Interestingly, the study also found that those with stronger human relationships tended to report better connections with their dogs. This suggests that dogs do not serve as mere substitutes for missing support in human relationships, as some might expect. Instead, they complement human interactions, fulfilling different emotional needs.
Co-author Dorottya Ujfalussy pointed out that their research challenged the initial hypothesis that people with weak human relationships would rely more heavily on their dogs. “We found that the strength of human relationships did not correlate with increased reliance on dogs for support,” Ujfalussy said.
This study, published in Scientific Reports, also revisits the evolving role of dogs in human society. Once primarily working animals, dogs have become beloved companions, often referred to as “fur babies” or substitute children. Despite this strong connection, the specific roles dogs play in our emotional networks remain an area of growing interest.
The study’s participants rated their dogs’ companionship as the most satisfying of all their relationships. Dogs scored particularly high in terms of love, security, and emotional support, akin to the roles of children in a family. However, the researchers noted that while the satisfaction reported by dog owners was overwhelmingly positive, the study sample was likely skewed, as it consisted of individuals who were particularly satisfied with their pet relationships.
First author Borbála Turcsán added that the emotional support dogs offer varies depending on their owners’ needs. “Some people seek companionship, others need stability, and some simply enjoy the responsibility of caring for a pet,” Turcsán said.
In conclusion, the research underscores that dogs hold a special place in our social and emotional lives, offering a balance of affection, companionship, and stability that many humans struggle to provide.