Man’s Best Friend Is a Dog? 5 Reasons Science Says Absolutely

Feeling stressed, anxious, or lonely lately? Science shows that owning a dog greatly reduces stress and boosts mood—confirming the saying “man’s best friend is a dog.” In this post, you’ll discover five clear ways your canine companion makes life happier and healthier.

Read on to learn how dogs can change your life for good.

The Origins of the Bond Between Humans and Dogs

Our history with dogs reaches back further than many of us realize. Scientists have found clear proof showing humans and dogs formed friendships between 15,000 and 40,000 years ago.

This bond began as a practical partnership—you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours—that helped both humans and animals survive.

Recent studies, in fact, show Alaskan people formed bonds with canine animals around the end of the Ice Age. This happened roughly 12,000 years ago in the Americas—about 2,000 years earlier than researchers previously thought.

Yet, DNA tests uncovered something surprising. Many early canines found near human camps turned out to be wolves rather than fully domesticated dogs. Food analysis reveals these ancient wolves even ate salmon, possibly fed by humans or scavenged from leftovers.

The journal “Science Advances” fully supports these findings on our deep-rooted friendship with dogs.

Proper dog training strengthens this ancient connection, enhancing the bond we share with our furry friends today.

Why Dogs Are Considered Man’s Best Friend

Dogs have earned the title of “man’s best friend” through thousands of years of living side by side with humans. Science backs up this special bond with clear evidence about how dogs affect our brains, bodies, and daily lives.

Loyalty and Companionship

People often call dogs man’s best friend because their loyalty is truly unmatched. In fact, a study of 975 adult dog owners revealed something amazing—they rated their pets as more supportive than romantic partners, close friends, or even family members.

This special bond has deep roots, stretching far back into human history. In Homer’s famous work “The Odyssey”, a loyal dog named Argos waited faithfully for 20 years for his master Ulysses to come home.

I’ve experienced similar loyalty from my own German Shepherd, who happily waits by the door each day, greeting me warmly no matter how long I’m gone or what mood I’m in.

George Graham Vest captured this powerful connection eloquently in his famous “Eulogy of the Dog” in 1870. He spoke movingly in defense of a man whose dog, Old Drum, was killed by a neighbor in Warrensburg, Missouri.

His heartfelt words about the unwavering devotion dogs show their owners touched the jury deeply, helping win both the case and an award of $50. That powerful speech still resonates deeply today, highlighting the simple, honest affection these pets freely offer.

Dogs also provide steady emotional comfort, reinforcing positivity just by being near. Their friendly gaze can help ease anxiety and build deep trust. Unlike certain human connections, a dog’s affection comes without conditions, judgment, or expectations—only loyal companionship and endless care.

Emotional and Mental Health Benefits

Science confirms dogs strongly benefit our mental health—it’s a fact backed by solid research. Spending time with your dog lowers stress hormones like cortisol and boosts your mood for nearly 10 hours afterward.

This calming effect happens because dogs stimulate oxytocin release in our brains, a chemical that helps humans connect emotionally. Studies even show dogs provide greater emotional comfort than siblings, parents, and children.

In fact, only romantic partners surpass dogs in providing emotional support. Such powerful bonds explain why many men develop deep attachments to their pets.

A dog doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor. They just want your love and companionship.

The health benefits extend far beyond happy feelings. Owning a dog improves heart health, reduces cholesterol, and lowers heart disease risks. One striking study of heart attack survivors revealed that non-dog owners were four times more likely to pass away within a year compared with dog owners.

For men experiencing PTSD or other mental health struggles, special programs like K9s for Warriors pair trained service dogs with those in need. These dogs greatly decrease the use of pain medication among veterans.

Today, therapy dogs regularly visit hospitals and universities across the United States, easing stress simply through gentle eye contact and quiet reassurance.

Assistance and Service Roles

Dogs offer far more than simple friendship—they provide life-changing services too. Veterans with PTSD often find relief through service dogs trained to ease anxiety, offer comfort, and ground them during stressful moments.

These canine helpers significantly decrease PTSD symptoms, boost mental health, and encourage social interactions. Since they perform critical daily tasks for disabled individuals, service dogs receive protection under the ADA.

K9s for Warriors illustrates how effective positive reinforcement can be, using rescue dogs for 90% of their training program to assist military veterans. Hospital patients benefit greatly as well, since therapy dogs lower pain levels and reduce the need for medications during medical treatments.

Service dogs also build social connections, helping owners meet people and avoid isolation. Their bond goes beyond basic training, creating a beneficial partnership and balanced leadership between person and pup.

German shepherds and collies often become service companions, known for their instincts and drive to assist humans. Thinking about choosing the best dog for a man? Current studies highlighting how dogs perceive and react to human emotions clearly show they’ve earned their reputation as “man’s best friend”.

Research on the Human-Dog Relationship

Scientists have studied the human-dog bond for decades, tracking how our friendship with canines has changed from working partners to family members – read on to learn what research shows about this special connection and how it might grow even stronger in 2025.

Historical Evolution of the Bond

Dogs weren’t always the friendly pals we know today. In fact, early entries in the Oxford English Dictionary describe them as fierce, watchful beasts, not loyal companions. This perspective began shifting in the 18th century, once Frederick II of Prussia recognized the deep bond humans and dogs could share.

My grandpa’s dogs, for instance, helped him out daily on the farm, changing from simple tools into trusted helpers sleeping beside the fireplace each night. This new appreciation for dogs kept growing throughout the 1800s and fully took hold in the 1900s.

A meaningful milestone came in 1821 from C.S. Winkle’s poem, published in “The New-York Literary Journal”, directly calling a dog our best friend. Later, in 1870, George Graham Vest greatly strengthened this idea.

He spoke passionately during a court case about a hunting dog that had been killed unfairly. Vest’s emotional words about dog loyalty resonated deeply, spreading well beyond the courthouse and becoming central to popular culture.

In his own words:

The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. – George G. Vest

A recent study examining 111 dog specimens confirms the strength of this bond, shaped by breeding and centuries spent side by side. Over generations, we’ve welcomed dogs into our families, providing them with obedience lessons, special foods, and pampered lifestyles.

Modern Studies on Dog Behavior and Cognition

Recent studies have reshaped the way we view our four-legged friends. At Purdue University, researcher Kerri Rodriguez discovered that having dogs gives us genuine emotional and physical benefits.

She presented these findings at Duke University’s Dog Day event, held in February 2020, confirming what many dog lovers already felt was true. Today, scientific studies clearly show dogs are more than just pets—they’re true companions who help improve our lives.

Compared to wolves, our canine friends have unique social abilities. Experts call this the “Domestication Hypothesis“, suggesting dogs developed these talents over thousands of years, alongside humans.

Because of this history, they quickly understand human gestures, such as pointing. They also connect emotionally with us better than any other animal can. Dogs naturally want to support and even share resources with humans.

This deep bond is the reason obedience training often succeeds easily with most breeds. Your dog doesn’t simply learn to sit, stay, or come—they truly enjoy being your partner and teammate.

How Will Our Relationship with Dogs Evolve in 2025?

Our connection with dogs will deepen by 2025, as science sheds light on their emotions. Dogs already love working alongside humans, and soon they’ll have new job opportunities beyond today’s standard service roles.

Apps like Rover.com will ease your worries about pet care, providing reliable options to meet your dog’s daily needs. Research confirms dogs improve dating chances—profiles with cute pups receive 38% more matches on dating apps such as Bumble.

Men who jog or walk regularly with their dogs also stay healthier, skipping trendy fitness scams.

The next few years promise exciting advancements for dog owners. Scientists now study how selective breeding made dogs friendlier and more loyal over generations. Understanding these natural behaviors can prevent lawsuits caused by poor training methods that harm dog welfare.

George Vest, a lawyer famous for successfully defending a dog in court, would marvel at today’s scientific findings about canine behavior. Even chores like cleaning dog waste became easier—eco-friendly bags reduce your exposure to marketing emails about harmful pet products.

Always stay alert for signs indicating a vet emergency, helping your furry pal stay happy and healthy.

People Also Ask