Why Are Dogs Considered Man’s Best Friend?

 

Ever heard the saying “dogs are a man’s best friend”? Dogs have earned this title time and time again over the years, and anyone who has ever had a pup in their family is likely familiar with why so many people believe in this. If you aren’t yet convinced, here are a few reasons why dogs are considered the closest and best companions for humans above all other domesticated animals.

Pups are natural protectors

Dogs have an intrinsic instinct to protect their pack and once they become a part of your family that instinct extends to you. As incredibly loyal creatures, their strong emotional bonds leave them deeply devoted to their human companions, making their instinct even stronger over time. This instinct makes dogs valuable guardians and there have been numerous examples of heroic dogs over the years making headlines for their protective instincts over their human families.

Dogs provide emotional support

When we are stressed or anxious, it’s well-known that dogs provide emotional support and are highly attentive to us and our emotional states. According to a study released by Duke University, dogs ranked closely to romantic partners and above best friends, children, parents, and siblings when their owners were asked who they turn to when feeling a variety of ways.

Dogs provide non-judgmental support in a unique way. They have also been found to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, lower perceived stress in individuals, improve mood, and improve energy up to 10 hours after interactions. Pups are such supportive animals that there are about 500,000 service dogs in the United States.

Service dogs can be trained to perform many important tasks to assist people with disabilities. Some examples from the ADA include providing stability for a person who has difficulty walking, picking up items for a person who uses a wheelchair, preventing a child with autism from wandering away, and alerting a person who has hearing loss when someone or something is approaching them from behind.

There are some great health benefits of owning a dog

There have been many well-documented studies that have reported clear health benefits of living with a dog. According to Time Magazine, here are some of the top advantages:



· Links to a longer life span

· Lower risk of cardiovascular disease

· Reduces the adverse health effect of living alone

· Can decrease allergies and asthma in children

· Increases opportunities for health-beneficial socialization

Your pooch will love you unconditionally

One of the greatest reasons why dogs are considered a man’s best friend is because they provide unconditional love. Pups are always there to offer a wet nose, wagging tail, and snuggle, no matter what, which can be comforting, especially when you need it most.

With over 62 million households in the US who own a dog, it’s clear that many people across the nation have already extended their happiness and brought a pup into their family. At Bregman Veterinary Group, we make it our mission to help you determine the best course of action for your pet so that they can live long, healthy lives. To schedule an appointment for your pup, click here to get started.