Man’s best friend is known to be loving and loyal, but have you ever wondered why?
Why are dogs so loyal? It’s a question many dog owners ask, and the answer is somewhat complicated. The simplest explanation is that thousands of years ago, we provided wolves with food and shelter. In return, these pack animals protected us and served as the first guard dogs. This laid the foundation for the truly symbiotic relationship we have with dogs today.
Unlike cats, the domestication of dogs wasn’t a happy accident. The canine-human bond started early and deliberately. Historians believe that dogs were the first domesticated animals, a process that began at least 30,000 years ago.
As human settlements discarded unwanted food items, wolves began to scavenge and help ancient humans hunt. The Gravettian Předmostí dig site (Trusted Source) in the Czech Republic indicates that humans may have had a relationship with dogs during our last Ice Age — which is significantly longer than historians and archeologists previously thought (around 14,000 years).
The reason dogs are loyal goes beyond just food; loyalty comes from how dogs have adapted to live with humans. We feed pups, so they are loyal to us. But there are chemicals at play here as well.
Studies indicate (Trusted Source) that when we spend time with our dogs positively, both dogs and people have a surge of oxytocin. The fact is that dogs love attention from us just as much as people benefit from having canine family members.
Dog breeds and loyalty
While any dog is a good dog and likely loyal, some breeds have a reputation for having more loyal behaviors than others.
Understanding breed-specific behaviorsA longstanding belief is that breed determines behavior; this study showed that only about 9% of behavior has to do with breed, (Trusted Source) although many traits are inherited. How does this work?As dog breeds developed, certain physical and behavioral traits were encouraged so dogs could perform specific tasks. For example, herding dogs were bred to control where and how other animals move, while working dogs were bred to guard property and perform specific tasks their owners needed. 👉 The American Kennel Club recognizes nine breed groups, while the United Kennel Club recognizes eight groups with various types in each.Socialization and the impact on dog loyalty While some dogs have friendly dispositions that make loyalty and affection seem like second nature, other dog breeds will require you to invest more time, energy, and money into early socialization if you want a loyal and well-adjusted dog.
Certain breeds may need extra attention and care to be properly socialized.
One study (Trusted Source) showed that breeds with an earlier onset of fear-avoidance behavior, like German shepherds and Yorkshire terriers, need to be socialized sooner — as young as three weeks — to help offset problems like aggression and a tendency to be territorial later in life. This sensitive period can extend to 14 weeks for some dog breeds. It’s best to begin socializing your puppy early on, regardless of breed. Expose them to other dogs, pets, and people to help them develop good emotional health.
We have to be careful socializing puppies with other dogs. Infections like bordetella and flu and parvovirus are highly transmissible.
Dr. Erica Irish
Beyond puppy socialization, continued training is important for your pup’s relationship with you and the rest of your family. Training your dog can help build a stronger relationship, which not only strengthens loyalty, it also encourages better behavior and good brain health and creates a better experience for everyone.
Dog parents often wonder if their canine best friend loves them or if it’s just about the treats. The answer is yes. Dogs love us because we give them food, treats, and shelter, but this study (Trusted Source) also shows that they respond positively to their familiar human or humans. This is one of the reasons why your dog likes laying on you or can be clingy. Because of this, it’s good to know your dog and consider training.
Well-trained and socialized dogs make for better and more cooperative patients in grooming parlors, at dog parks, and in veterinary offices. However, I have seen the most aggressive dogs in these situations have some very close relationships with their owners, but there is no automatic good dog or bad dog with closeness to the family. Some of those with the most tight relationship with their owners suffer from some of the highest anxiety levels in what could be considered non-stressful situations of the majority of dogs and owners.
Dr. Bruce Armstrong
Do you find that your dog isn’t as loyal to you as you’d like? There are ways to encourage a better relationship with your dog and, thus, earn their loyalty.
While a loyal dog makes a fantastic addition to any family, it’s important to note that dogs can sometimes be too loyal and clingy. Separation anxiety can become a problem for dogs that haven’t been properly socialized. There are a few ways to help with this.
While it’s not a given that every dog will be loyal, typically dogs are loyal to the people they love and trust. We meet their needs, from food and water to shelter and attention. This creates a desirable bond that is the result of thousands of years of selective breeding.
Yes, they are. While wolves are more pack animals and dogs tend to be better on their own, numerous studies indicate that dogs have a positive relationship with humans. In fact, evidence shows that they are hardwired to love and be loyal to the people they are familiar with.
Dogs are some of the most loyal animals in the world thanks to their long history as our companions and the extensive measures humans have taken to create dog breeds with physical and behavioral traits.
Anecdotal experience certainly supports that dogs love their owners unconditionally. But so does science. Studies indicate that oxytocin levels raise for pups (and their people) when cuddling. Additionally, parts of the canine brain associated with love become more active when they see, smell, or hear the humans they are most familiar with.
For thousands of years, humans have bred dogs as companions or working dogs. This has led to a strong human-canine bond. Essentially, dogs love humans because we feed them, provide them shelter, and because they were bred to love us.
