Gaby
A team of researchers from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary surveyed hundreds of dog owners and discovered that they can be categorized into three distinct groups.
“We identified three different profiles of owners whose dogs play various social and practical roles,” said Laura Gillet, a co-author of the study.
Dog Owners View Their Pets’ Roles Differently
The researchers engaged around 800 dog owners in their study. Participants were asked about their relationships with their four-legged companions, including what they appreciate most about their dogs and the roles these animals play in their lives.
The results revealed that nearly all respondents enjoy physical contact with their dogs (97.6 percent), the “unconditional love” that dogs provide (93.7 percent), and their appearance and beauty (88.4 percent).
Meanwhile, 36.3 percent of respondents prioritized social interaction (communication) with their dogs, while 24.3 percent reported that they derive no benefits from it.
After analyzing the survey results, the researchers concluded that all dog owners fall into three categories.
Category One: For 31.1 percent of owners, dogs serve a dual purpose: practical and emotional. These owners, classified as “friendly colleagues,” often prefer breeds like Border Collies, Belgian Malinois, or German Shepherds.
“Friendly colleagues” tend to see their furry companions as protectors and partners, while also feeling a strong emotional bond with them.
Category Two: “Dog parents” represent the largest group (49.5 percent). This category includes those who have a close “human” connection with their dogs and do not assign them any practical functions. Breeds such as Vizslas, Boxers, or Dachshunds are favored by these individuals, according to the Daily Mail.
Category Three: 19.4 percent of owners, referred to as “companions,” keep dogs primarily for companionship but maintain an emotional distance. These individuals often choose breeds like Shih Tzus, English Cocker Spaniels, or Labrador Retrievers as their pets.
Researchers’ Comments
“As we suspected, these three profiles were associated with several canine and human factors. For instance, dogs with dual functions were perceived as very obedient and were trained using positive reinforcement and professional training methods, such as clicker training,” commented Professor Eniko Kubinyi, head of the Ethology Department.
The team hopes that their findings will inspire other researchers to further explore the complex relationships between people and their dogs.
“Despite the general trend observed in Western countries, where dogs are increasingly seen as family members that provide unconditional love and support, this study emphasizes that not all dog owners are the same,” the researchers wrote in their report published in the journal Scientific Reports.
According to the researchers, “dogs can simultaneously fulfill multiple (social and non-social) roles in their owners’ lives.” This highlights the complexity of the relationship between dogs and humans.
