Does My Dog Love Me?

As dog owners, we readily admit that we love our dogs. Why else do we get out of a warm bed and take them outside in freezing temperatures early in the morning? Why do we leave a great restaurant before dessert and head home to feed them? Why do we immediately forgive them after they chew on our favorite slippers? To say that dogs are "man's best friend" is an understatement for many of us. However, the lingering question remains… Do our dogs love us?

What does the research say?

An innovative team of scientists from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, took a clinical approach in investigating the emotional state of dogs. Using MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), researchers scanned their brains and exposed them to certain odors. Changes in brain function provided data on the emotional state of the dogs.

Why smells? Dogs navigate the world with their sense of smell. In fact, unlike humans, dogs depend on their sense of smell more than their sight to interpret their surroundings. The way dogs process and react to odors reflects their feelings. The experiment used odors to stimulate the dog's brain. Using MRI, the researchers measured the dogs' neural responses when they were exposed to the odors of familiar and unfamiliar people and dogs.

DogLover

The experiment revealed that when the dog smelled the familiar aroma of its owner, the "reward center" in the brain (caudate nucleus) was activated. The caudate nucleus contains many dopamine receptors, and in human brains, as well as in dog brains, it lights up when exposed to pleasurable experiences. For example, the smell of your favorite food cooking on the stove can light up your brain. Of all the odors presented to the dogs, they responded more favorably to human odors than to the odors of canine companions. Additionally, the dog's caudate nucleus activated most significantly when the dog actually smelled someone it knew. A similar reaction occurs in people when they are shown photos of people they love.

"The caudate nucleus was activated in the dog

most notably when the dog actually

he smelled someone they knew."

In related research conducted in Budapest, researchers studied the brain activity of dogs when exposed to sound to see what happens inside a dog's brain when we speak to it. When the dog's brain was exposed to happy sounds, it responded in much the same way as the human brain by lighting up the auditory cortex. This illustrates the effective communication that occurs between dog and human and confirms the human-animal bond.

Through science, we have learned that our canine friends are social, emotional beings who respond to human smells and voices. They happily respond to our scent and respond to the tone of our voice. Science proves that a part of the dog's brain is associated with positive emotions and actually feels love for their human companions.

How do you know your dog loves you?

Here are some signs that your dog really loves you more than a fresh bag of kibble and a walk in the park:

Your dog is happy to see you. Your dog may jump and bark and be overly emotional when you walk through the door. Or maybe it's more gentle and simply wags its tail to the right at the sound of your greeting.

Your dog gives you presents. Sometimes your dog will bring you his favorite toy ready to play, but often he will give it as a gift. He wants to "share" his favorite possession with the person he loves.

Your dog puts you second to food. Besides food, your dog craves you! Dogs live "now". When they are hungry and given a bowl full of food, they forgo human interaction for the glory of good food. However, when the bowl is empty, the dogs want you! Many dogs want to cuddle their owners after a meal.

Your dog likes to sleep with you. Dogs are inherently alert to threats in their environment and lie in a defensive position when sleeping in the wild. They put their noses upwind to absorb threatening scents and their backs to other pack members to form a protective circle. The fact that they are willing to snuggle with you on the couch is a sign that they feel safe with you and consider you part of their pack. You are part of their inner family circle.

Your dog looks at you with loving eyes. Making direct eye contact can be interpreted as an aggressive action in the canine community. When two dogs meet, one looks away in deference to the alpha dog. When your dog looks at you with relaxed eyes and normal-sized pupils, he is giving you a loving look.

Your dog doesn't care about your appearance. If your dog cuddles you when you have bad morning breath, after a sweaty workout, or when you're having a crazy furry day, chances are it's true love. Dogs truly love us unconditionally.

Your dog follows you everywhere. If you feel like you can't take a step in the house without a dog at your heels, consider yourself loved. Dogs cling to you for more than just safety. Unlike other human companions, they can't get enough of your company.

Feel better? Now you can be sure of the affection your dog feels for you. Your dog loves you!

 

Dogs: History, evolution and behavior of our best friends

Dogs

Dogs and humans have been companions for thousands of years.

It hardly seems like a dainty teacup poodle and a wrinkly Neapolitan mastiff could belong to the same species, much less the same subspecies. But both are Canis lupus familiaris, the beloved domestic dog.

A member of the family Canidae — along with wolves, foxes, coyotes and jackals — dogs have been human companions for at least 14,000 years (and possibly much longer than that). Much about how dogs and humans became inseparable remains a mystery, but research finds that the bond is very real. As many pet owners may already attest, there is evidence that dogs understand human distress and want to help their owners when they're sad.

Despite the diversity of domestic dogs, these animals share an evolutionary history and behavioral traits.

The closest living relative to modern dogs is the gray wolf (Canis lupus). The ancestor of modern dogs and the ancestor of modern wolves probably split at some point in the late Pleistocene, the last ice age. Genetic studies put different dates on this split. One 2014 study based on the mutation rates found that the schism happened between 9,000 and 34,000 years ago, and that the wolf population dogs split from later went extinct. Another genetic study(opens in new tab) from 2017 put the window between 20,000 and 40,000 years ago.

Dog Images | | Top Best Dog Pictures |

 Top Best Dog Pictures

Top Best Dog Pictures

Most pet owners are clear about the immediate joys that come with sharing their lives with companion animals. However, many of us remain unaware of the physical and mental health benefits that can also accompany the pleasure of snuggling up to a furry friend. It’s only recently that studies have begun to scientifically explore the benefits of the human-animal bond.

As many dog owners already know, taking the time to bond with your furry friend can turn your dog into a close companion for life. That is especially true when circumstances make it harder to maintain close ties with family and friends. Relocating to a new area, retiring from work, or spending time in isolation during a pandemic, for example, can make your relationship with your dog even more important.

Dogs have a unique ability to provide their owners with an endless amount of love and emotional support, especially during times of great stress. They provide an outlet for fun and play, while bringing lots of laughter and levity into the home to keep you in the present moment rather than obsessing on an uncertain future. In fact, studies have shown that dogs provide comfort that is at least equal to that of a close friend.

5 Most Beautiful Dog Breeds (With Pictures & Info)

 

What counts as beautiful differs from person to person, especially when it comes to dogs. Some people prefer small, long-haired dogs, while others prefer shepherds and dogs like the Siberian Husky. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the breeds generally considered to be the most beautiful.

The 10 Most Beautiful Dog Breeds

1.Golden Retriever

Image Credit: Melanie Mai, Pixabay

The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. They were bred to retrieve birds undamaged. This led to the development of a soft mouth, which basically means that the dog doesn’t bite down hard. They also have an instinctive love of water – a requirement for the work they were bred for.

This breed is most suited for suburban or country living, as they require quite a bit of exercise. They are quite intelligent and train easily, making them suitable dogs for first-time owners. The typical Golden Retriever is calm and very eager to please. They will do practically anything you say and respond readily to commands.

These dogs are quite healthy and typically live up to 15 years. However, they are susceptible to certain problems, including cancer and hip dysplasia.

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2.Siberian Husky

Image Credit: BARBARA808, Pixabay

Many consider Siberian Huskies to be some of the most beautiful dogs out there. Their bright blue eyes and fluffy coat easily put them on the top of most lists. They have a double-coat with erect ears and very distinctive markings.

However, this often leads many people to adopt them for their looks alone. We do not recommend this dog for first-time owners, though. They are extremely active and require quite a bit of exercise. They also have a tendency to be quite stubborn. They are not very trainable, though they are intelligent. Instead, they tend to ignore commands when they are given and do their own thing. Their intelligence can also get them in trouble. They will figure out how to open cabinets and even doors. They are often intelligent exactly when you don’t want them to be.

However, they are great personality dogs. Many people absolutely love their personalities, but they can be a bit difficult to take care of.

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3.Labrador Retrievers

Image Credit: fotorince, Shutterstock

As the most popular dog in the United States, the Labrador Retriever is loved by very many people. They aren’t exactly very exotic-looking dogs, but they are very balanced. These dogs are known to be outgoing and kind. They are friendly with just about everyone and intelligent enough to be used in many different working environments.

They are an even-tempered breed that makes a good family dog. They are often considered to get along well with children and even other animals. They don’t have an incredibly high prey drive, which makes them suitable for homes with other pets, like cats. Because they are working dogs, they do need quite a bit of exercise. They do best in active families.

This breed usually lives over 12 years, though many dog breeds live longer. They usually start greying around the muzzle around the age of 8. They are prone to some health problems but are typically pretty healthy dogs

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4.German Shepherd

Image Credit: Spike Summers, Pixabay

The German Shepherds are a breed of working dog from Germany. While this dog does look very similar to a wolf, it is actually a very modern breed of dog that only dates back to 1899. As their name suggests, they were originally used for sheep herding. However, they are currently used for a variety of jobs due to their high intelligence and trainability.

They are a moderately active breed that does require some daily exercise. However, they are not as energetic as some of the other large, working dogs. They are very trainable and tend to bond closely with their people. If they aren’t properly socialized, they can be overprotective of their family and aggressive. They are not inclined to be friendly towards everyone, so socialization is necessary.

This dog is generally healthy, though some in the show strain are starting to develop back problems. This is a bit of controversy and has led to a re-writing of the breed standard to avoid strange back forms.

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5.Samoyed

Image Credit: Evgeniia Shikhaleeva, Shuttestock

The white, fluffy dog is absolutely adorable. They are herding dogs used by the Samoyedic people to herd reindeer. They are friendly and love just about everyone, which makes them suitable family dogs. They are constantly alert and look quite happy. Some people even describe them as smiling. They do have a tendency to bark, so some people utilize them as alert dogs. However, they do not make good guard dogs due to their friendly nature.

These dogs remain playful throughout much of their life and are quite active. They enjoy just about any activity that involves running around with their family.

They are somewhat prone to specific diseases. For instance, a rare kidney disorder runs in their bloodline. This disease is most severe in male dogs. Females may develop symptoms but usually do not experience kidney failure like males.