Why do dogs and humans love each other so much?
Dogs, those loyal and affectionate companions, occupy a unique place in our lives; whether as integral members of the family, play partners, or silent confidants. But why is this relationship so special?
The history of dogs and humans shows that the two species have coexisted for millennia, forging a bond that seems to defy time. But is this a coincidence, a simple symbiotic relationship, or is there a genuine emotional connection between the two species?
Humans understand dogs
You understand dog language much better than you think. You can't speak it fluently, because that would require being a dog. But you can distinguish a nervous yelp from a menacing growl , a bark that means hello from a bark that asks you to leave it. calm. You can read his body language that says he is happy, sad, tired or even scared , that he is begging you to give him something or to play with him!
If you think it doesn't mean anything in particular, tell me... what does a happy bird or a sad lion look like? You don't know? Yet, you are able to know it when it comes to a dog and even more so when that dog is yours.
Just like your human mother tongue, you didn't have to force yourself to learn dog language. It happened quite naturally since we grew up in a world where dogs are ubiquitous.
The History and Evolution of the Relationship Between Dogs and Humans
The Origin of the Relationship Between Dogs and Humans
When did this relationship begin? Well, no one really knows! The oldest evidence of humans and dogs being buried together dates back 14,000 years , although some unconfirmed discoveries suggest it could be even older. What is certain is that these discoveries demonstrate one essential fact: our ancestors not only lived alongside dogs, but also chose to make room for them in their funeral rites.
Dogs have always held a special place in our lives, as evidenced by the many legends and folk tales. In Africa, the story of Rukuba, the dog who brought fire to humans, is told. The Welsh, for their part, have passed down to us the legend of Gelert, the faithful dog who saved a prince's baby from the clutches of a wolf. Over time, this relationship evolved: aristocrats began to include their dogs in family portraits, and some wealthy eccentrics even chose to mention them in their wills , thus proving the importance of these four-legged companions in their lives.
Is it a genetic issue?
Millennia ago, our ancestors were still unaware of the existence of genes. However, they noticed that, from time to time, medium-sized scavengers with long snouts would approach their campfires, observing them with curiosity and a great need for affection. It was then very difficult to resist them. So, they welcomed them to protect them from the cold and began to call them "dogs," while some of their close relatives who did not possess this "good gene"—those we would eventually call wolves, jackals, coyotes, or dingoes—were left to fend for themselves in the wild.
Is it simply a symbiotic relationship?
The symbiotic relationship implies that the survival of two species depends on their association. Consider sharks and remoras: the latter rid the shark of its parasites and, in exchange, gain access to the remains of the fish it eats. This alliance is purely transactional.
In our own case, we have horses for work, cows for their milk, chickens for their eggs, and pigs for their meat. If we apply this principle to dogs, we could say that they hunt for us, while we feed them and keep them warm in return… but the reality is quite different.
At some point in our history, when humans left nature, the alliance with dogs could have dissolved. We no longer needed them for work or protection. Yet we continued to provide them with food and shelter, without receiving much in return except… their affection. By then, it was no longer an exchange of services: a deeper emotional bond had been created.
The origin of the word "puppy"
Even our language reflects the depth of our affection for dogs. Indeed, the word "puppy" is said to have been adapted from the French word "doll"—an object to which we lavish irrational affection.
Why do dogs love their owners?
The love hormone
Oxytocin, a key hormone in the development of trust and empathy in humans , also plays a fundamental role in the relationship between a dog and its owner, as recent research has revealed.
How does oxytocin affect the human-dog bond?
A study conducted by Takefumi Kikusui, a researcher at Azabu University in Japan, demonstrated that simple eye contact between a dog and its owner leads to an increase in oxytocin levels in both . The release of oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, is responsible for creating the emotional bond between a dog and its owner. This phenomenon is similar to that of a mother looking at her child with tenderness.
Hypersociability in dogs
In 2009, geneticist Bridgett von Holdt at the University of California, Los Angeles, revealed that a genetic mutation in dogs may be responsible for some behavioral characteristics similar to those seen in people with Williams syndrome, a disorder associated with marked hypersociability.
Clive Wynne, director of the Canine Science Laboratory at Arizona State University, discusses dog hypersociability in his book, Dog is Love . He points out that dogs, like humans with Williams syndrome, actively seek out deep emotional bonds and warm social relationships.
The place of the dog in our lives today
Today, and particularly in human-inhabited areas, the dog is the most widespread land carnivore on the planet, with approximately 900 million individuals worldwide. The domestic dog— Canis lupus familiaris —has given rise to hundreds of breeds, selected based on criteria such as size, temperament, color, and physical characteristics.
The average owner spends over $2,000 a year feeding, entertaining, and caring for their dog, and some are willing to invest even more for their four-legged companion. The bond between a dog and its owner is stronger than ever. During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, many people refused to evacuate New Orleans without their dogs, despite the dangers. This prompted the passage of legislation requiring disaster preparedness plans to protect pets during emergencies.
Conclusion: a true love story!
What may have started as a mutual exchange of services or even a symbiotic relationship between two very different species has become much more : a true love story (or perhaps also an expression of hypersociability syndrome in dogs).
Researchers have investigated this phenomenon by studying the behavioral, genetic, and hormonal aspects of the emotional bond between dogs and humans. One of the key elements of this relationship is oxytocin, the love hormone, which plays a vital role in the development of trust and emotional bonds. In fact, studies have shown that simply exchanging a glance between a dog and its owner can lead to a release of this hormone, thus strengthening the relationship between them.
There is still much to discover about the mechanisms of love! Indeed, love rarely touches the parts of the brain responsible for reasoning. It touches the dreamy, sensitive parts we sometimes call the heart. This is where our dogs found their home thousands of years ago… and it's also where they will continue to live for many more!