I know this is a matter of opinion and purely subjective, but I don’t think I have to provide any evidence that shows how cute puppy dogs are. Whether it’s a newborn Golden Retriever, a newborn Husky, or a tiny little Bulldog, they are just irresistible to most people, me included. As the old adage goes, “It’s just impossible to say no that face”. But question remains, why do we love dogs so much, what is it about their adorable faces?
A report published earlier this year in Science answers the question of why we seem to love dogs. The study, chiefly authored by Miho Nagasawa, focused on our biological reaction to gazing into the eyes of a dog. The study found that a spike of Oxytocin occurs. Oxytocin is commonly referred to as the love hormone; its release in the brain marks a feeling of love or affection. According to the study, even if we have no emotional connection to the dog, we will experience a spike in Oxytocin, making us love the dog and how cute they are.
Eyes drooped, lips pouted, quick blinking; the classic puppy dog face has melted hearts of their owners for years, and it always seems to work. A study by the University of Portsmouth has found that dogs intentionally employ this “sad puppy face” in order to apologize to their owners and show general cuteness (According to the article, previous studies have shown humans find bigger eyes more attractive, this is one of the techniques that puppies use.). The study goes on to suggest the possibility that this muscle-movement was not always ingrained in the head’s of our pooches. Instead, dogs have evolved over time to learn how to show such sorrow through their faces. The study of shelter dogs found that the dogs would turn on their “puppy dog face” when a possible adopter came in, in order to appeal to the human. Dogs can intentionally make us humans believe their cute, whether we want to or not.
It’s not just their soft fur or their loving licks, we love dogs because of science. Our hormones spike when we come in contact with them and they have evolved to make sure that this love never stops. Puppies are adorable creatures, and I’d be perfectly fine loving them for no reason, but as with everything, science is the reason for our love.
Cutest thing ever? I sure think so!
If you were to see me 10 years from now, you will be seeing me with 10 dogs. I can’t say no to any dog, no matter what breed. Every time I see a dog (especially a puppy) I NEED to pet it! I never really wondered what inclined me to do this, as I have always been a huge dog person. Hearing that it has to do with science makes a ton of sense because I know very few people who do not like dogs. This was a very interesting post!
This is extremely interesting and everyone can definitely relate! I would have never ever guessed that we get so attached to puppies because of a hormone that is released. I have heard of puppy therapy, and even on Penn State campus I have heard they use this technique during finals week to relieve stress. Who knew puppies could be so helpful! I thought they just helped to relieve stress by being distractingly cute, but I guess it is the chemical that gets released.
Puppies are cuter than anything I’ve seen. It is definitely science that we love dogs. Anytime I see a little dog I feel the need to go pet or play with it.