What kind of dog owner are YOU? Scientists say all pooch parents fit into three distinct categories

Dogs are often referred to as ‘man’s best friend’ – but a new study suggests that some owners might need to rethink this nickname for their pet. 

Researchers from Hungary surveyed 800 dog owners and found that they all fit into three distinct categories. 

‘Interestingly, even though we collected data from online groups dedicated to family dogs, the owners weren’t all the same,’ explained Laura Gillet, lead author of the study by Eötvös Loránd University. 

‘We found three distinct profiles of owners whose dogs played diverse social and practical roles.’

Dog owners classed as ‘friendly colleagues’ tend to see their pet as a co-worker and security guard but also have a strong emotional tie. 

‘Dog parents’, on the other hand, have a close human-like bond with their pet, and do not see them for their practical functions. 

Meanwhile, ‘companions’ keep dogs mainly for company – but keep an emotional distance.  

So, what kind of dog owner are you? 

‘Dog parents’ have a close human-like bond with their pet, and do not see them for their practical functions (stock image)

In Western cultures, many owners see their dogs as best friends, family members, or even ‘furry children’. 

However, until now, there has been little research into this societal trend and how it affects the daily lives of the animals. 

In their new study, the team set out to understand exactly what role dogs play in today’s world. 

Around 800 owners were surveyed on their relationship with their pet, including what they like about them, and the role they play in their life. 

The results revealed that almost all the owners surveyed really liked physical contact with their dog (97.6 per cent), the ‘unconditional love’ their dog provides them (93.7 per cent), and the sight and beauty of their dog (88.4 per cent).

However, other benefits were less unanimous. 

For example, around a quarter (24.3 per cent) of owners didn’t benefit from the social interactions generated by their dog, while 36.3 per cent liked it a lot. 

Based on the findings, the researchers say that all dog owners fit into three distinct categories. 

Dog owners classed as ‘friendly colleagues’ tend to see their pet as a colleague and security guard, but also have a strong emotional tie (stock image)

‘Companions’ keep dogs mainly for companionship – but keep an emotional distance (stock image)

For 31.1 per cent of owners, dogs have dual functions – both practical and emotional. 

These owners, known as ‘friendly colleagues’, tend to have Border Collies, Belgian Shepherd Dogs, or German Shepherd Dogs. 

Next, the majority of owners (49.5 per cent) have a close, human-like bond with their pet, and do not see them for their practical functions. 

These owners, known as ‘dog parents’, tend to have breeds including Vizslas, Bocers, or Dachshunds. 

Finally, 19.4 per cent of owners mainly keep their dog for companionship, but keep an emotional distance. 

These owners, known as ‘companions’, usually own mudis, English cocker spaniels, or labrador retrievers. 

‘As we previously assumed, several dog and human factors were associated with these three profiles,’ said Professor Eniko Kubiny, head of the Department of Ethology. 

‘For instance, dogs with dual functions were perceived as very obedient and were trained with positive reinforcement and professional training methods like clicker training.’

The researchers hope the findings will inspire further research on the complex relationship between humans and their dogs. 

‘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,’ the researchers wrote in their study, published in Scientific Reports. 

‘Our results show that dogs can fill multiple (social and non-social) roles simultaneously in their owners’ lives, highlighting the complexity of the dog-human relationship.’