New Studies Show Humans Love Dogs More Than Other Humans

by pawbuzz on in Dogs 298

What if a human and a dog stood side-by-side and both needed help, but you could only choose one. It wouldn’t be an easy decision, would it?

The bond between human and dog is an incredible thing. It’s amazing to see what people will do for their beloved dogs, whether it’s throwing them an extravagant birthday party or making sure they only eat the highest quality kibble.

Some studies reveal when it comes to feeling empathy, many people pick pooches over other people. Does that surprise you?

Now, research from Northeastern University in Boston suggests that the human-canine bond trumps almost all other relationships.

For their study, Northeastern professors Jack Levin and Arnold Arluke set out to find out just how strongly we feel about dogs compared to adults and children.

The co-authors gathered 240 men and women between the ages of 18 and 25 and measured their levels of empathy when told about the suffering of a dog, compared to the suffering of a child or adult.

Unsurprisingly, stories of a dog’s suffering and a child’s suffering elicited the strongest responses from participants, whereas stories of adult victims made the respondents “significantly less distressed.”

Move on to the next page to learn more about this fascinating study on human empathy, and make sure to SHARE it with your dog-loving friends!

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298 thoughts on “New Studies Show Humans Love Dogs More Than Other Humans”

  6. Janet K Poludniak

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    Well cocker spaniels are hunting dogs after all. I would expect that squirrels night be Keen interest to them. I can’t help but wonder if that’s what they were running after in the photo that you shared. It seems the only time Boots is really happy is when he safe in our apartment, or at the park where he can meet some of his four-legged friends. A good friend of mine was recently moved from Central New York to South Carolina and placed in a nursing home near her family. I’ve been spending time cleaning out her apartment liquidating her assets and making sure that all her things are taken care of properly. There’s a neighbor who lives in my complex who’s been there daily helping me. Now that he’s gotten to know her he just thinks she’s the cat’s meow. And she loves him to pieces. Once he gets to know people he’s a gem otherwise he’s hiding behind my leg and quaking in his boots. I call him boots because he has the brown feet and legs and it just looks like he’s got brown boots on a black body. I look for a long time to find a black and tan Cocker. The first one I had was a beautiful red one. Unfortunately she had a lot of allergies and medical issues and I couldn’t afford to keep her so it took me 2 years to find her a good home where the people had the finances to be able to do all the special things that she needed done for her. She was the sweetest dog and easy to train. Boots on the other hand is stubborn and all boy. I can tell him a dozen times not to chew on something and he’ll continue to chew in exactly the same spot when he thinks I’m not looking. Those are his two main problems. If I could figure out how to solve those two things, he’d be the perfect dog. Even with his little flaws I love him to pieces. When he knows I’ve got him in video he is just a little clown. I think he thinks he’s going to Hollywood some day.

  8. Janet K Poludniak

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    Jiggs and Maggie are adorable, and because of being littermates they are probably the best of buddies. I need to get boots neutered very soon. He starting to act more like a big boy. The best laid plans of mice and men as they say. I recently had hip replacement surgery so that delayed his being neutered. He was a March puppy, so there is nothing and everything is ready to go if you know what I mean. Until just two days ago the doctor would not allow me to drive, so I couldn’t take him to the vets and have something taken care of, but now is another story so as soon as I can get an appointment, Boots is going to go see one of his favorite people.

  17. Becca Leader

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    I could have told you that without a study. Animals love purely, without condition. As a foster parent, I’ve seen miracles happen with both kids and dogs, when they feel safe and loved for the first time.

  37. Teri Bowers

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    Absolutely…I would and DO pick my dog over almost all people, except my children, grandchildren, and a handful of very close friends….everyone else in the world comes BEHIND my dog…period!!!!

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