A team from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has investigated how over 1,000 pet dogs behave in front of the television. It turns out that 80 percent of them are avid viewers. Purebred dogs, especially Labradors, showed the most enthusiasm for TV shows.
Many people enjoy curling up on the couch with their furry friends and turning on the TV. Surprisingly, household dogs are just as much fans of television programs as their owners. Researchers surveyed more than 1,000 dog owners about their pets’ attitudes toward watching TV. They found that purebred dogs, particularly Labradors, were the most dedicated viewers. Above all, these dogs preferred watching shows about other dogs, as reported by the Daily Mail.
In general, dogs enjoyed programs about cats, nature, and animated films. On the other hand, sports competitions, especially winter sports (notably ice skating), were the least popular among the pups.
The vast majority of surveyed dog owners expressed concern about leaving their four-legged friends alone with the television. After all, “some dog viewers can get overly excited” and even lunge at the screen. A remarkable 72 percent of the dogs studied watched TV at least once a day, with the average viewing session lasting no more than 20 minutes. However, some owners reported that their pets attentively watched full-length movies from start to finish, reacting actively to the plot.
Researchers also discovered that familiar sounds, such as a favorite song, a voice, or a ringtone, could attract dogs to the screen. About 54 percent of the dogs typically watched calmly, while 19 percent displayed notable enthusiasm: barking, howling, whining, or growling. Additionally, some dog owners seriously believe that their pets prefer new televisions. According to one respondent, his dog became more interested in watching TV after the family upgraded their set.