Dogs v babies: is our love of canines causing falling birthrates?

Mama, Papa, Dog: More and more people care for their four-legged friends as well as for their own offspring. According to researchers, there is a deep biological need behind this. What this says about the holders – and what role the declining birth rate plays in this.

More and more Argentines decide not to have children, while dogs have become the ideal companion for families.

Why birthrate policies don’t work

ANALYSIS: Before the election, Labor promised policies to lift the declining birthrate, but there is little evidence they will actually work.

Rise of couples 'choosing to have pets instead of babies'

An increase in couples choosing to have a pet instead of babies could be contributing to the declining birthrate in western countries, a new study has suggested.

Dogs are treated like ‘child surrogates’ by their owners, new study finds

People are choosing dogs because they are ‘easier to control and care for than a child’, researchers say

Mama, Dad, Dog. Not a few people care for their animal companions like their own child. What's behind it?