Physical, Mental, And Emotional Effects Of Dog Ownership

Everyone knows who man’s best friend is, they’re hard to ignore. Dogs, domesticated by humans from wolves, have been our species’ constant companions. There is something incredibly endearing about a wet nose and a wagging tail, a sense of safety and love. Anyone who’s lived with one can speak to the innocence and sweet companionship they bring. In this essay the physical, mental, and emotional effects of dog ownership will be discussed.

Dogs, historically, have been used as more than just family pets. The physical uses of dogs are manifold. Dogs have traditionally been used to do many things, from hunting to hauling. Labrador retrievers, bred from Newfoundlands are used to hunt and retrieve waterfowl. Rhodesian Ridgebacks, known for the line of hair down the spine that grows in the opposite direction than the rest of their coat, were used to hunt lions. Swiss mountains dogs were hooked to sleds and used to haul. The canid genome is incredibly easy to alter, as shown by the hundreds of different dog breeds today. It could be argued that if

People with dogs are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. Dogs are great social support for people with limited social interaction, such as someone who is incredibly busy with work or other activities. Many people talk to their dogs in a similar fashion to the way they talk to themselves. Daily struggles and frustrations are often vented to pets, which can serve as a release for these emotions. Having a confidant that not only provides unconditional love and positive energy, but serves as a frustration vent is incredibly valuable, and makes the moments of vulnerability easy. As a result of this, many things that humans would otherwise internalize and stress over, are voiced and expressed in a positive and safe environment. Dogs are not only good for venting frustrations, but for receiving and giving affection, which are healthy mammalian