Overview

• A Hungarian study published in European Psychologist reveals dogs can form attachments similar to infants, addressing caregiving needs throughout their lives.
• Dogs take on varied roles depending on owners' life stages, from companions for singles to substitutes for grown children or sources of comfort for the widowed.
• Pet ownership remains stable in Germany, with 21% of households owning dogs and over €7 billion spent on pet-related products in 2024.
• Surveys show dog owners consciously choose pets over children, recognizing fundamental differences and prioritizing human lives in moral dilemmas.
• Cultural attitudes toward dogs vary, with U.S. owners often referring to themselves as 'Mama' or 'Papa,' while other regions maintain more distant relationships.