Why Dogs make wonderful Pets

There are many reasons why dogs are known as man’s best friend. They entertain us with their antics, greet us with an exuberant wag of the tail every day (no matter how many times you leave and come back), and offer to fill our social feeds. But these aren’t the only reasons why dogs are the best. In fact, science can back up the claims that our canine companions are the superior species.

They Provide Endless Entertainment

Whether we’re watching our four-legged friends get the zoomies around the house or romp with their pals at the park, there’s nothing that says “pure joy” like puppies at play. Those big floppy ears and goofy grins are the highlight of our days. So much so, that a 2017 study conducted by BarkBox found that the average dog owner posts about their pup six times per week on social media.

They Lower Our Stress Levels

It’s a wonderful feeling to have a fur-ever friend who greets you at the door with a wagging tail each day. But did you know that having a dog around can actually help manage stress? Research has shown that being around a canine companion can have a calming effect on humans, and help us control stress two ways. First, by increasing levels of oxytocin (a hormone in the body that releases feelings of joy). Second, by reducing levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) in the body. So if you’re looking for a reason to add a dog to the family, chalk it up to putting you in a better mood.

They Make Exceptional Coworkers

Dogs have worked alongside man for centuries, hunting, herding, and helping us get where we need to go safely as we evolved alongside each other. Hieroglyphs depicting scenes from ancient Egypt and Greece showcase this symbiotic relationship between animal and human, and the working dog continues to thrive even to this day. With their enhanced sense of smell and keen instincts, dogs still work alongside their human counterparts in great numbers. K-9 units help law enforcement and first responders sniff out weapons, detect arson, and track missing persons. Service and therapy dogs help their handlers navigate life with a sense of stability and freedom. Farm dogs protect livestock and herd animals to pasture. (And it goes without saying that pups make great distractions for those of us working from home, too!)

They’re always happy when you get home

While teenagers might greet you with a grunt when you arrive back from the office, your dog will be positively beside itself at your arrival. Bless them. Any dog owner will know that walking your pet is a sure fire way to start conversations with fellow animal lovers. In a world where people are increasingly isolated, that’s a wonderful thing.

They make you laugh.

Whether they’re accidentally doing a backward roll off the sofa or giving you the beady eye as you scoff down a bacon sandwich without offering them any, dogs will constantly have you chuckling at their antics. And nothing beats a bit of laughter.

These are the Reasons Why Dogs Make Good Pets

We hope this article convinced you to add a new dog to your life.

The best way to get a new dog is through adopting one who’s in need of a good home.

Make sure your pup is up to date on his shots and that he’s well taken care of.

They’re the Original BFF

Dogs have been human companions since the beginning of civilization. It’s thought that Paleolithic humans were the first to tame dogs from wild wolves some 15,000 years ago. Evidence of a child’s footprints walking alongside a dog’s paw prints appears in a cave in France, suggesting that bond may extend even farther back—closer to 30,000 years. Either way, the first wolf looked at Neolithic man thousands of years ago across the fire, and each realized they could benefit from one another’s presence (probably over food, if we had to guess). Though their relationship probably bordered on the wilder side of things, it was the beginning of a friendship that would continue to evolve over thousands of years as dogs were domesticated into the pets we know today.

They Keep Us Active and Healthy

Not only do dogs help us sleep better, they also help us get more exercise. In fact, a survey of dog owners in the UK found that people who have dogs get about 200 more minutes of walking each week than people without dogs. All those walks around the block with Spot add up: Walking helps lower the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes. Plus, our pups make for adorable exercise buddies who simply refuse to take “no” for an answer. Even just having a dog around may lower your family’s risk of obesity and improve gut health!