Does it ever seem like your dog vibes more with his doggy friends than you? You may even sometimes feel left out of their secret circle. It may make you wonder if dogs like people or dogs more. Well, let’s find out.
There is no clear-cut answer to the question, “Do dogs like people or dogs more?” Dogs are unique individuals. While some dogs seem to like members of their species more, others are happier with their owners. Who your dog likes more depends on its age, personality, prior experience, and more.
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Studies About Dogs Relationships
Researchers have carried out several studies to better understand dog relationships. What they found out is that dogs differ in their bonding preferences for humans or other dogs. Yet, there are common grounds that unite all the discoveries from research.
One conclusion reached is that dogs tend to bond with other dogs that you have raised them with. We can link this to the same behavior that dogs’ distant relatives, wolves, exhibit. Wolves are pack members, and so are dogs.
According to a study on dog psychology, with time, dogs tend to develop a stronger bond with their owners than they do with their litter-mates. In other words, the more quality time you spend with your dog, the more likely it is to like you more than other dogs. We’ll find out why this may be so in later parts of this piece.
Factors That Determine Whom Your Dog Will Like More
It’s possible to understand why your dog may like humans or other dogs more. Dogs tend to bond more with either dogs or humans based on some factors. First, let’s look at the two most important factors.
Attention And Affection
As social creatures, dogs crave quality interaction and affection. In other words, the more time you spend with your pooch, the more likely it is to build stronger feelings for you.
Early-Life Attachment
Your dog will bond more with humans or other dogs that they have known from their pup days. According to researchers, early life experiences have long-lasting consequences on the development of dogs. These experiences include maternal care, attachment, and socialization.
Other factors that determine who your dog will like more are:
- positive associations
- your dog’s personality
- your dog’s age
- your dog’s breed
Why Do Dogs Like Other Dogs?
Have you noticed that your dog likes other dogs more? The following are reasons this may be so.
Genetics (Pack Nature)
Genetics, to a great extent, determines the behavior dogs exhibit. Over time, researchers have discovered that certain dog breeds bond more with other dogs. Most of the dog breeds in this category have a history as hunting dogs. Examples of such breeds include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Huskies.
Hunting dogs often move in packs, and this might be why they bond with other dogs as well.
They Feel Understood
No matter how hard you try, you will never be able to understand some things your dog does. There will always be a communication barrier. But other dogs speak the same language and think the same way as your pet. As a result, your dog may feel understood and more connected to its doggy friends.
Same Energy Levels
Dogs love it when they receive the same energetic vibes they give off. Sometimes humans can’t match their dog’s energy. If dogs get a vibe and energy that they love from other dogs, they will prefer to stay in each other’s company. This is why some dog breeds get along with each other.
Why Do Dogs Like Humans?
We often call dogs man’s best friend. In that vein, here are reasons why some dogs love humans more.
History Of Domestication
As a result of a long history of domestication, dogs have learned how to live and interact with us. Moreover, dogs now see us as leaders, providers, and friends. This is unlike wild dogs.
Also, domestication has one major positive impact on animals generally. It reduces their fearfulness towards humans and makes them more comfortable with us.
Genetics
Dogs that tend to bond more with their humans are descendants of companion dogs. From archaeological pieces of evidence, we see that the domestication of dogs dates back as far as 14,000 years ago.
Over the years, there have been several changes to the genetic makeup of dogs due to their close relationship with humans. These alterations could be a result of an attempt by dogs to adapt to human society.
Family
If your dog gets to enjoy a deep sense of belonging and attachment to their humans, it will help foster a strong bond. Dogs, especially companion dogs, love you to treat them as part of the family. Companion dog breeds include Samoyeds, French bulldogs, etc.
Does Your Dog Like Other Animals More?
In most cases, dogs tend to like humans better than other animals. In most cases, well-socialized dogs tolerate and become friends with other dogs. When poorly socialized, they become territorial or stressed when they see other dogs.
Every dog has its unique preferences and temperament, and this affects its interactions with other animals. For instance, some dogs do not like cats, while others bond well with them. Most of the time, this is due to the individual instincts of dogs and the kind of exposure they have had.
Do Samoyeds Like Dogs Or Other People More?
Most Samoyeds definitely love people more. As noted before, Samoyeds are companion animals. This breed has a natural fondness for humans and enjoys human interaction.
A well-socialized Samoyed is social and does well with strangers. Samoyeds also do great with kids. While Samoyeds also do great with other dogs, they bond more with humans.
Conclusion: Do Dogs Like People Or Other Dogs More?
Well, the answer to the question, “Do dogs like people or other dogs more?” is still not clear-cut. Your dog’s preference for you or other dogs is evidence of the quality of the relationship that you have with them. Build an exciting experience with your dog and watch them reciprocate the gesture.
So, what do you think about dogs liking people or dogs more? Let us know your thoughts and why in the comments below!