Redefining parenting and family—The child-like role of dogs in Western societies.
Are dogs the new kids? In their groundbreaking 2025 review, Gillet and Kubinyi dive deep into how modern humans relate to dogs, and why so many now consider themselves “dog parents.” Drawing on research from psychology, sociology, biology, and animal behavior, the authors trace the shift from working partnerships to emotional, child-like bonds. They explore how dogs mirror young children in their dependency, emotional responsiveness, and cognitive skills, and how our parenting instincts and cultural norms shape the way we care for them. The paper doesn’t shy away from complexity, highlighting both the benefits and potential downsides of anthropomorphizing dogs, and ultimately calls for a more nuanced understanding of this evolving human-canine connection.
What’s in a Name? Effect of Breed Perceptions & Labeling on Attractiveness, Adoptions & Length of Stay for Pit-Bull-Type Dogs
This 2016 multi-part study by Gunter et al. offers compelling evidence that breed labels influence human perception of dogs, often reinforcing unfounded stereotypes that negatively impact adoptions, particularly for those believed to have American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) ancestry. Across three experimental studies and one shelter-based intervention, the researchers consistently found that when dogs were labeled by breed, especially breeds stigmatized in public discourse, they were rated as less desirable, even when their appearance was identical to unlabeled counterparts. Notably, when breed labels were removed in a real-world-shelter setting, live outcomes improved for all dogs, with the most dramatic gains seen in dogs previously identified as APBT types whose adoption rates rose and euthanasia rates dropped. This body of work underscores the disconnect between breed-based assumptions and actual behavior, supporting a growing body of research advocating for the removal of breed labels in sheltering practices to reduce bias and promote more equitable outcomes for dogs.
Comparison of behavioural tendencies between “dangerous dogs” and other domestic dog breeds–Evolutionary context and practical implications
Overview This 2022 study by Hammond et al. reinforces a growing body of evidence demonstrating that breed is not a reliable predictor of agonistic behavior toward people, that is, behaviors such as barking, growling, or biting. By combining two established behavioral assessment tools (the Dog Impulsivity Assessment Scale (DIAS) and the Positive and Negative Activation […]