Colleagues or companions? 3 different types of dog owners revealed
From laid-back to adventurous, have you ever wondered what kind of dog owner you are?
According to new research, all owners fit into three distinct categories: friendly colleagues, parents, and companions.
Researchers at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary recently surveyed 800 dog owners, asking them to discuss what they like about their pets.
Over 97% surveyed said physical contact with their dog, while 93% noted they like the 'unconditional love' their dog provides. A further 88% revealed they like the role they play in their life.
"We found three distinct profiles of owners whose dogs played diverse social and practical roles," said Laura Gillet, lead author of the study by Eötvös Loránd University. "Interestingly, even though we collected data from online groups dedicated to family dogs, the owners weren't all the same."
The researchers added that: "Despite the general trend observable in Western countries, in which dogs are more and more perceived as family members providing unconditional love and support, this study highlights that not all dog owners are the same, even in a convenience sample interested in dog behavioural studies."
Take a look at the study's three categories below, along with breeds each owner is more likely to own:
1. The friendly colleagues
Dog owners who are classed as 'friendly colleagues' see their pets as a co-worker and security guards, the study concluded.
They are more likely to own Border Collies, Belgian Shepherds, or German Shepherds. In the study, 31.1% (just under a third) of those participating fell into this category.
2. The dog parent
Meanwhile, if you are a 'dog parent', you have a human-like bond with your dog and don't see them simply for practical functions.
Breeds owned by people in this category include Vizslas, Boxers and Dachshunds. Almost half of the study group were in this cohort, with 49.5% in total named as 'dog parents'.
3. The companion
Finally, 19.4% of people in the study were found to be 'companion' dog owners.
As the name suggests, these owners are more likely to have dogs for companionship, but keep their distance when it comes to emotions. They usually own breeds such as English Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, and Mudi (herding dog breed from Hungary) dogs.
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