Ten open questions in research on the rising popularity of companion dogs

Kubinyi, Enikő (2024) Ten open questions in research on the rising popularity of companion dogs. In: Studies on the Human-Animal Relationship. Anthrozoology Series III. University of Debrecen Anthrozoology Research Group, Debrecen, pp. 20-30.

Preview

Text Kubinyi_2024_ten_questions_dog_popularity.pdf - Published Version Download (609kB) | Preview

Abstract

Dog ownership is deeply embedded in human culture and significantly impacts society, including those who do not own dogs. Research is needed to examine precisely how dogs influence society and people’s mental and physical health, as well as how owners’ attitudes towards dogs’ functions, training, and care affect canine behaviour and breeding. The present study’s core premise is that, like all behaviours, dog ownership is influenced by both genetics and the environment. Companion dog ownership has a genetic basis, but it is also strongly influenced by culture. Throughout their 300,000-year evolutionary history, humans primarily lived in hunter-fisher-gatherer family groups, characterised by strong social cohesion and communal child-rearing. It is only since the advent of agriculture, followed by industrialisation and urbanisation, that this way of life has dramatically changed, leading to increased population size and life expectancy, decreased birth rates, and smaller family units, thus significantly reshaping community relationships. This could be one of the reasons why the role of dogs in Western cultures has become more valued, as they can fill the gap left by absent community members. Dog owners highly appreciate the companionship, ‘unconditional love,’ and physical contact that dogs provide. This study proposes ten research directions to address the open questions related to the growing trend of companion dog keeping.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item