Affectionate, vulnerable and totally dependent on their humans, dogs share many characteristics with children. These similarities may explain why some people refer to their pets as their “babies,” suggests a Hungarian study. This increasingly common anthropomorphic trend nevertheless raises ethical questions.
In developed countries, the domesticated dog has become much more than a simple pet -- it's often considered a family member in its own right. This is a relatively recent phenomenon, and one that has given rise to a forthright anthropomorphization of our pets. In fact, it's no longer unusual for dogs adopted by Millennials or Gen Zers to have their own Instagram or TikTok accounts. The phenomenon is so widespread, particularly in Europe, East Asia and North America, that dogs are frequently referred to as "fur babies." Nothing is too good when it comes to offering these pooches the very best, as can be seen with the proliferation of dog-related products and services over the last few decades, including luxury grooming salons, strollers, dog parks and doggie daycare. There are even restaurants for dogs!
The analogy with a young child is sometimes evident, and owners don't shy away from it: some even refer to their dog as their "child" or "baby." Whether it's a way to ease loneliness, the satisfaction of having a dependent being to protect and train, or the feeling of being useful or needed, there are many reasons why these canines are perceived as child substitutes. A team of Hungarian researchers from the Department of Ethology at ELTE Eötvös Loránd University (Budapest) has studied this phenomenon in Western societies.
Published in the journal European Psychologist, their study highlights several factors that may explain the phenomenon of likening dogs to children. One is that dogs' cognitive abilities and adaptability to human communication enable them to adopt a wide range of social behaviors, often comparable to those of pre-verbal children. But their morphology could also play a role in this association. In particular, the researchers link the appeal of small dogs -- especially brachycephalic breeds like French bulldogs and pugs -- to infantile traits that can make them appear “as helpless, harmless and innocent as small children.”
Dogs seen as children... but not quite as humans
In the light of these arguments, it's easy to understand why some people call themselves “dog parents” rather than “masters” or “owners” of their pets. But there are nevertheless some key differences! "Despite the high dependency and attachment of dogs to their caregivers, in the eyes of many, commitments coming with dog ownership remain less burdensome than child parenting," explains Laura Gillet, a PhD student at the Department of Ethology and coauthor of the study, quoted in a news release. Another difference is that, since dogs don't live as long as humans, their owners generally assume that they will outlive them -- which is obviously not the case with a child.
"While some owners might see their dog as a child surrogate to spoil, others actively choose to have dogs and not children, bearing in mind that they have species-specific characteristics and needs," the study authors write. They point out that, contrary to popular belief, only a small minority of dog owners actually treat their pets like human children. "In most cases, dog parents choose dogs precisely because they are not like children, and they acknowledge their species-specific needs," explains study coauthor, Enikő Kubinyi.
These researchers are not new to the subject. Last month, they carried out another study published in the journal Scientific Reports. Involving over 700 dog owners, the research compared the relationships we have with our dogs to those we have with our loved ones. The results reveal that, in the eyes of their owners, dogs are more than just loyal companions: they combine the qualities of a child with those of a best friend. They inspire a sense of security and the need for protection, just as a child would, while at the same time offering a harmonious, conflict-free relationship, similar to a deep friendship.
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Dogs share many characteristics with children. These similarities may explain why some humans refer to their pets as their “babies,” a Hungarian study suggests.Photography urbazon / Getty Images© 
