Why We Love Dogs: A Reflection on Our Canine Companions

DID YOU KNOW? Dogs can understand up to 250 words and gestures, and they have the intellectual capacity of a two-year-old human. This incredible intelligence is just another reason they feel like more than just pets. They’re basically just furry toddlers!

Few bonds in life are as strong as the one we have with our dogs. It’s more than just a sweet affection for our pets, but rather a deep, emotional connection that has been growing for thousands of years.

The story of this special relationship is as old as civilization itself. Scholars believe the domestication of the dog began anywhere from 15,000 to 40,000 years ago, originating with ancient wolves. Early humans and these early dogs likely found a mutually-beneficial arrangement. We provided scraps of food and shelter, and they offered protection, hunting assistance, and an early warning system against predators. This partnership, born of necessity, evolved into something far deeper. The emotional and social intelligence of canines flourished alongside our own, leading to an extraordinary co-evolution.

Interestingly, studies have shown that a dog’s ability to interpret human gestures and vocal tones is a skill developed over generations of living closely with us. They don’t just react to our commands; they read our intentions, our moods, and our unspoken cues.  And they can even respond to multiple versions of the cutesy nicknames you give them…now that’s a skill!

Diamond Dog Caper A young boy, Owen, rescues a golden retriever from a trio of diamond thieves. Unbeknownst to Owen, the dog is carrying a fortune in stolen gems, leading to a hilarious chase as he tries to protect his new canine friend from the criminals. 

Part of the relationship stems from humans having leveraged dogs’ unique aptitude for learning and work to assist with a variety of tasks.  Their incredible sense of smell, for example, is far superior to ours and has been beneficial in many occupations. This skill is famously utilized by drug-sniffing dogs who are trained to detect specific narcotics at airports and border crossings. Similarly, bomb-sniffing dogs work with law enforcement to locate explosives, while search and rescue dogs use their noses to find people lost in natural disasters or wilderness areas.

Beyond scent work, dogs have been trained for other demanding jobs. Herding dogs, like Border Collies, have a natural instinct to control the movement of livestock, a skill essential to farming for centuries (and still used today.)  Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities, such as guiding the visually impaired, alerting a person to an impending medical issue, or providing emotional support.

Sky Dog  A high school senior finds out his mother is a CIA agent and sets off to rescue her from a group of criminals with the help of a new friend and a cute dog named Oreo.

So how does this powerful connection work, exactly? Part of the answer lies in our biology. When a human and a dog interact, a remarkable biochemical dance occurs. Petting a dog and making eye contact can release oxytocin in both species. Oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” plays a crucial role in social bonding and trust. This same hormone is released in mothers and their infants, highlighting the depth of the attachment. This isn’t just a feeling—it is a physiological reality. Our bodies are literally wired to love them back.  How cool is that?

Junkyard Dogs Houdini, a dog and master escape artist, teams up with his canine friends to stop a pair of bumbling robbers from targeting their neighborhood and ruining a wedding.

Beyond the scientific explanation, there is an intangible magic to the relationship. Dogs offer a form of unconditional love that is truly rare. They don’t care about our social status, our job titles, or the size of our bank account. They love us for who we are, flaws and all. They teach us about living in the moment, finding joy in simple things like a walk in the park or a day lounging on the sofa, binge-watching our favorite movies.

Interestingly, a dog’s ability to connect with us emotionally is a testament to their incredible cognitive and social skills. They are masters of empathy. A dog will often lie near a sick or grieving owner, providing silent comfort. They seem to sense our sadness and respond with a gentle presence. This is not a learned behavior but an instinctive one, rooted in their long history of being attuned to human emotions.  It’s such a strong instinct, in fact, scientists at Johns Hopkins University discovered that dogs will actually go out of their way to comfort their owners in a phenomenon dubbed “The Lassie Effect.”  

Hudson & Rex Detective Charlie Hudson and his dog partner, Rex, are on the case. When a puzzling crime emerges, the dynamic duo uses Charlie’s deft detective work and Rex’s keen canine senses, to solve the mystery.

Our bond with them is not a one-way street, of course. We, in turn, provide them with security, comfort, and love. Relying on us for their well-being, food, shelter, and emotional needs develops a deep sense of trust.

The emotional bond between humans and dogs is a testament to the power of a shared history that spans millennia. Dogs enrich our lives in countless ways, and for that, we can only offer our endless gratitude and our deepest affection—in the form of belly rubs, of course.

PAWsome Stories on UP Faith & Family: We’re happy to bring you several great tails (see what we did there?) of canine intelligence and the power of the human-dog bond, all streaming now on UP Faith & Family! Stream anytime on UP Faith & Family! Start your 7-day free trial today.

Melanie Gilbert owns Choral Communications and resides in Atlanta with her husband, daughter, and two cats.