Why Dogs Are Friendly

Dogs are friendly because they have evolved over the years into man’s best friend. A far cry from their wolf ancestors who remain aloof and distant. Dogs, it has been scientifically proven, have some DNA suggesting they have a genetic predisposition to be friendly and sociable. Dogs have been part of man’s environment for centuries and have learned to adapt to living with people and pleasing the people they live with. Added to that they have been surrounded by people and domestic life. They know how to react to people and to ‘read’ their expressions. Dogs have become a big part of human resources and serve the needs of mankind in all sorts of different ways.

Scientists have investigated the social behavior of dogs in comparative studies with their wolf ancestors. They have come to the conclusion that dogs have evolved with a change in their chromosomes and possess two genes closely related to the human condition of Williams Beuren syndrome. This syndrome exhibits itself as extra intense sociable behavior and is even termed as hyper-socialbiity. In the study of the behavior of sixteen dogs and 8 wolves raised in captivity, the outcome was that dogs interacted with humans longer than the wolves that showed little interest after the initial contact with humans. In today’s society, dogs are weaned from their mothers and introduced to their human families from 6 to 8 weeks. From this time onwards they are part of a family and no longer with their pack. The puppy in the home is handled with love and care and socially accepted by those who love him. Puppies bring a lot of joy and happiness to everyone and so there is extra bonding that goes with getting a puppy into your home. Puppies are playful and lots of fun to have around. The well-known Peanuts cartoon says “Happiness is a warm puppy.” The puppy stage is just the beginning of your relationship with your dog. Dogs are always excited to see you when you get home and always want to please people. They are sad to see you go but always so happy to greet you when you come home. Dogs love to show how friendly they are with wagging tails, smiley faces and other social behavior. Dogs are loyal. This is an amazing quality and sets the dog apart from his wolf ancestors. Loyal and caring, showing affection whenever the time is right. Dogs are social pack animals and have happily integrated into our lives. They greet you with their excited faces and don’t really ask too much of you in return for their abundant love and faithfulness. It is true to say that the more you give the more you get when it comes to sharing your life with a dog.

Happy friendly dogs are a joy to be around. Man and dogs are both social beings and can help each other in many ways. Dogs have become part of healing and helping mankind. Dogs pull sleds in snowy mountains and rescue weary travelers. Dogs lead the blind and act as great companions to the sick and the lonely. Dogs are champion mascots and heroes in movies and books. Dogs can understand up to two hundred and fifty words and gestures as well as count to five! Did you know dogs are reputed to have the intelligence of a two year old although I am sure most dog lovers would like to dispute that. Dogs know when you are happy or when you are sad. Dogs know when to reassure you with a gentle paw on your lap and a gaze that says – hey, it’s okay I’m here for you. Along with their loyalty and unconditional love dogs have personalities and knowing what sort of personal traits your dog has make them friendly to have around. Some dogs are serious some dogs like to clown around to get your attention. Some dogs are happy to be laid back and spend the day on the couch. Dogs can be trained to join in you favorite sport. Rover loves to surf while Fido may just love running by your side over hill and dale as you get fit. Dogs will join in panting but loving it. Dogs are friendly because they just want to be part of your life.

Dogs are friendly because we have encourage them to be part of our lives. We have trained them and socialized them so they can fit in and create this symbiotic relationship that expresses friendship and love. Dogs have been part of celebrity lives and sat side by side with presidents and famous people. Pictures have been shared of these celebrity dogs like Fala the Scottish terrier belonging to President Roosevelt and Buddy Clinton, the chocolate Labrador belonging to the Clinton family. Other dogs have been world famous for the roles in movies like Lassie and Rin Tin Tin all originally real friends and loyal companions that were part of the movies and stories that were told and proved how friendly dogs are. Dogs are friendly because they have been encouraged and loved by the families that take them in. The breeders who bring different dog breeds into the world are also concerned about temperament and so social behavior and friendly characteristics are encouraged from an early age. A dog housed with a family that displays unfriendly behavior may have been abused or neglected and some professional help in this case would be advisable.

A dog’s greatest quality is their desire to please and be the best friend you could ever wish for. Dogs can teach us a thing or two about how to be a good friend. The title of ‘man’s best friend’ rest securely with his dog. “Thorns may hurt you, men desert you, sunlight turn to fog, but you’re never friendless ever if you have a dog." (Douglas Mallock, poet)