US EditionBlends of child and best friend, with power imbalance: How dogs fit into our social networks
- ELTE researchers published a study in *Scientific Reports* on April 22, 2025, about human-dog relationships.
- The study sought to understand dogs' roles in human social networks by comparing them to human relationships.
- Researchers surveyed over 700 dog owners, assessing relationships across thirteen dimensions, including nurturing and security.
- Enikő Kubinyi stated the research highlights the unique place dogs occupy in our social world, offering emotional support.
- The research indicates that strong human networks correlate with strong human-dog bonds, showing dogs enhance well-being.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Blends of child and best friend, with power imbalance: How dogs fit into our social networks
Many people view their dog as a family member, friend, or kid, but does the relationship with them really resemble these human relationships? Researchers from ELTE Eötvös Loránd University recently set out to explore the precise role dogs play in human social networks by comparing human–dog relationships with human–human relationships using 13 relationship scales.
In divorce, pets should be treated like children
For years, in fractious divorce courts, beloved pets have too often been treated no differently to the leather sofa or family car. They are property to be allocated, traded or sold; the family Labrador as collateral damage – literally, in the law, “goods” or “chattel”. Now, a campaign group is rightly calling for a radical rethink, and demanding that divorce judges shift awards from “Who paid for the pet?” to “Who actually cares for the pet?”It’…
The University of Eotvos Lord analyzed human relationships with dogs. Conclusion: Dogs occupy an important place than human friends. The study was conducted on an exhilaration of 717 dog owners. 20% of participants had children and 80% had partners. Researchers say that Patrupe is a friend, child, colleague and therapist – all in one. Dogs beat their hands, friends and sometimes even their child to satisfaction and support. Dogs are even the bes…
How Dogs Fit Into Our Social Networks
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Many people view their dog as a family member, friend, or kid, but does the relationship with them really resemble these human relationships? Researchers from ELTE Eötvös Loránd University now set out to explore the precise role dogs play in human social networks by comparing human-dog relationships with human-human relationships using 13 relationship scales. Their study revealed that the owner-dog relationship can be interpr…
Hungarian university study: Dogs are both children and best friends in the human social network - DailyNewsHungary
A new study by the Department of Ethology at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), published on Tuesday in Scientific Reports, reveals that the role dogs play in the human social network is best described as a blend of a parent-child bond and a best-friend relationship. The research highlights how the emotional connection between humans and their dogs combines affection, trust, and low conflict—elements that typically characterise our closest human r…
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