Honestly, we could name more than 32 but these are our top reasons why dogs are better than humans. When it comes to companionship, dogs have a way of stealing the spotlight. While humans can be complicated, unpredictable, and sometimes a little too wrapped up in their own drama, dogs are the embodiment of simple, pure loyalty. They’ve earned their reputation as man’s best friend not just because they’re cute, but because they offer something truly special: friendship without conditions (although they won't turn their nose up at one of the best dog treats).
Whether it’s their wildly wagging tail greeting you after a long day (or even a few minutes) or their ability to cheer you up with just a look, dogs have a knack for making everything feel a little bit better.
Sure, people are great too – but let’s be honest, they’ve got nothing on dogs when it comes to the essentials of life. No human can match a dog’s ability to be endlessly supportive, completely non-judgmental, and, most importantly, unreasonably happy just to be near you.
So, if you’re ever wondering why dogs take top billing, here are 32 reasons why...
32 reasons why dogs are better than people
1. Unconditional love
Dogs tend to display a deep, unwavering loyalty and affection towards their owners – even when we make mistakes. As pack animals, their instinct to form a bond is innate, and we’re the lucky recipients.
Whether we’re late with their dinner, or can only manage a short walk or play, they won’t hold a grudge. Their love does not depend on our actions, and they are our steadfast companions through thick and thin. They truly deserve the title of “man’s best friend”.
Of course, there are breeds and individuals who are rather more selective about who they bestow their love on, but rest assured when they alight on a favorite, that love will be unconditional.
2. Loyalty
As pack animals, dogs tend to form strong bonds with those in their immediate circle. Some will even remain loyal despite neglect or mistreatment. Their human family is their pack.
They are also protective of their pack or family, which is why many breeds make excellent guard dogs, whether of the home or flocks of animals.
The more cynical of us may notice that they tend to be particularly loyal to the person who feeds and/or walks them...
3. No drama
Dogs can be melodramatic, certainly. However, they don’t create unnecessary drama or complicated situations like so many humans do. They don’t gossip or cause a stir – and love nothing more than a peaceful atmosphere with everyone getting along well.
And even the melodramatic ones probably don’t want to be that way – it’s usually a stress reaction that makes them act up.
4. Finding joy in the small things
Who needs high-tech gadgets or fancy toys? Dogs don’t require luxury items and expensive devices. Give them a ball, watch them chase butterflies, see them bask in the sunshine – they know how to find joy in the small things in life.
5. No grudge
Did you forget to feed your pup at teatime? Never mind. He’ll be just as happy if you feed him two hours late, perhaps even more so. No huffing and puffing and giving you the cold shoulder. If you make a mistake and put it right, your dog will be unutterably delighted – while any human would consider it their right to sulk until you had stewed in your misdemeanor for some time.
6. Concept of time
You’re not obliged to clock-watch with your dog. They do have a sense of time, but it’s different from how humans perceive it. They understand day and night, patterns and routines, and anticipate events such as walks and feeds with certain learned cues.
But they don’t count down minutes like a human does. If you say you’re out shopping for two minutes and don’t come back for two hours, they’ll just wait. Of course, some dogs do suffer from separation anxiety, but it’s less about the time you’re gone, and more that you’ve left them alone at all.
7. Always happy to see you
Our dogs are unreasonably happy to see us at all times. Whether we are coming downstairs in the morning or returning home after a day at work, they let us know that there is absolutely no one else they would rather greet. A ferociously wagging tail, an excitable spin, and a delighted squeak all tell us how thrilled they are to be in our company. And perhaps they’ll roll over for a tummy tickle too.
8. No judgement
If you want to wear clashing colors, muddy trainers, or stay in your pajamas all day, your dog will not judge you. You may have put off friends, family, and would-be-suitors with some of your habits, but a dog’s love is blind. Perhaps you have terrible taste in music, you can’t hold a tune, or you have a dodgy dress sense. See if he cares.
9. What you see is what you get
There are no false pretenses when it comes to dogs. No empty charm, efforts to keep up appearances, or obsession with their looks. What you see is what you get, warts and all. They don’t lie, they can’t hide their feelings – good or bad – yet they never offend in the way a frank human might. This bare-faced yet good-natured honesty is a rare trait in people, but innate in dogs.
10. Up for adventure – always
How often have you suggested what you think is a fun outing to a fellow human, only for them to say they can’t be bothered, or the weather is too hot, too cold, or too wet? Perhaps you have friends who have canceled a long-planned adventure at the last minute. Others can’t cope with the idea of a spontaneous excursion.
Dogs always, always want to go on an adventure with you, come rain, shine, hell or high water. Especially if you are lucky enough to have one of the best outdoor dog breeds.
11. Great listeners
OK, you can’t speak canine and your dog can’t speak human, but their powers are listening are better than most people who do share your mother tongue. Dogs are remarkably attentive to human cues, facial expressions, emotions, and body language.
This enables them to look like they are listening to your every word – even if they are really reading other signals. Their sense of hearing, ability to make eye contact, and ability to sit by you when you need to chat add to the sense that they are great listeners.
12. Cuddle bugs
It has to be said that some dogs are more cuddly than others – rather like humans. Some truly love to snuggle, others like to be close to you – but not too close! However, simply petting a dog is extremely good for us – it lowers the stress hormone cortisol, while social interaction between humans and dogs increases our levels of oxytocin, the feel-good hormone.
13. Low maintenance – compared to humans
There are plenty of dog owners who will point out that their pup is a high-maintenance breed, who requires constant attention. But compare this to a human diva and you’ll realise that dogs are better in every way. Some dogs require plenty of grooming, but if you’ve ever witnessed a celebrity getting ready to go out in public or delved into a teenager’s make-up bag, you’ll realise your dog’s not a patch on them. And of course, some dogs are attention-seekers but nothing like the human version.
And the majority of dogs are much more chilled than humans. They need feeding far less often, they’re happy with a monotonous diet, plenty of kip, a spot of exercise and the odd flick of a brush every once in a while.
14. Your secrets are safe
Ever known a dog to spill your secrets? We don’t think so. Their messaging grapevine might be as simplistic as sniffing each other’s privates in the park, but it’s impossible that they’d be passing on anything you’d told them. They say the best way to keep a secret is not to tell anyone, but if you’re bursting to reveal – just tell your dog. As we know, they can listen to your problems far longer than any human could. A listener and a secret-keeper – well that’s a winner for sure.
15. No ego
The trouble with people is they tend to think the world revolves around them. They can’t stop talking about themselves, want everyone else to be talking about them, and crave flattery. In contrast, even a boisterous dog doesn’t require all the limelight – in fact they tend to look rather sheepish when they’re being discussed.
16. No gossip
They may squeak and whimper when they’re excited, sniff noses and bottoms, mark where they’ve been, and work out where their mates have also urinated, but one thing is for sure, when dogs get together or pass on information in their own way, they are not spreading rumors. At least we don’t think they are...
17. Great levellers
Rich, famous, beautiful, or cash-strapped and ordinary. Stunning mansion or homeless in a sleeping bag, a dog simply doesn’t care what strata of society or wealth bracket their owner is from. In fact, they are a great foil for those in the spotlight, whether good or bad, because they will carry on treating you just the same as they always have.
18. Exercise buddies
There are endless ways to workout with your pet. So, whatever exercise you are trying to force yourself to do, your pup will be a willing partner and encouraging force. A walk or run? Yes, please! A bit of downward dog on the yoga mat? Why, naturally.
19. Relax and chill
There is no better companion on the sofa than a dog. Soft, furry, warm, and delighted with the invitation to sit on the couch, they won’t argue about which TV program to watch, nor what music you want to listen to (though according to research on the effects of different genres of music by, dogs are supposed to prefer classical, which adds to the relaxing vibe).
20. Anything goes on the plate
There are times when we just want to eat a tub of ice cream or order a takeaway. There’s always someone in the household pointing the finger at our junk food transgression. Not the dog. They not only don’t care, but they’ll offer to help you out. Be aware, however, that there are many human foods that dogs should never eat.
21. Silence is golden
You don’t have to talk! Mutual companionable silence can be a precious thing. While humans might think you’re giving them the cold shoulder or have nothing to say for yourself, it’s par for the course in the canine world. And anyway, you both understand each other without needing words.
22. Living in the moment
Everyone knows that we’d be happier humans if we could only live in the moment. A carefree existence where we would only be concerned with the pleasures and sensations of our immediate surroundings. We would appreciate the present, not regretting the past nor stressing about the future.
Dogs embody this concept, enjoying the simple things happening right now whether it’s chasing a butterfly, working on a snuffle mat, or chomping on a tasty chew toy.
23. Proper protectors
The mere presence of a dog is a significant deterrent to intruders, whether or not your dog is one of the best guard dog breeds or not. A tiny Chihuahua can have a vicious-sounding yap, while a statuesque Weimaraner may be timid but look imposing. Heading out for a walk whether in the countryside or town, you’ll always feel safer with a dog at your side.
24. Good for the heart
Having a dog is good for the heart – quite literally! They are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, with owners having lower blood pressure and even lower cholesterol. Petting a dog has been shown to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Of course, it might be more nuanced than simply owning a dog – increased levels of exercise, companionship, and so on will all be contributory factors.
25. Any gift will do
Dogs have no inkling what gifts are, or what anniversary or festival you are celebrating. You can spend less on them than your partner, or even nothing at all, and they won’t harbor a grudge. But they do love to join in the excitement of unwrapping presents with humans. They long to be included, but whether it’s a $100 designer coat or a DIY peanut butter dog treat, they honestly couldn’t care less (in fact, the liver would win hands down).
26. Who cares about birthdays?
Dogs don’t give a hoot or shed a shred of resentment if you forget their birthday. They don’t have the cognitive ability that enables them to mark calendars and dates in the same way humans do. So while they might have some concept of time in terms of night and day, and reading cues from humans, they aren’t counting down the days until their birthday.
Even if you celebrate, give them a homemade dog cake, and make an inordinate fuss of them on their big day, they won’t be thinking “I’m a year older today!” And the real plus side, you don’t have to remember it and no one will take you on a guilt trip.
27. Social connections
Owning a dog helps us increase our social interactions – in a way that humans don’t. Dog owners are likely to be more open, positive, and ready to start conversations with strangers in their neighborhood than those without a pup at their side. You’ll strike up a conversation with a fellow dog owner in a way that you never would with any other fellow human in the park, comparing notes on your animals as an easy ice-breaker.
A study published in Plos One showed that 2,500 residents in four cities showed that companion animals are a significant conduit for getting to know people and forming friendships.
28. Because you matter most
We humans naturally tend to look after number one – and that means ourselves. However, research done by Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience shows that for a dog, their number one is probably their owner. One study showed that dogs have a preference for praise vs food, proving where their priorities lie.
Therefore, they put people before their own well-being. Such self-sacrificial love is a very rare trait in humans. Like a young child, dogs depend on us and crave our recognition and praise. But a young child quickly grows out of this phase – dogs don’t.
29. Travel companions
Imagine having a traveling partner who never annoyed you, always kept you company, didn’t talk incessantly, sing out of tune, or want to play their terrible music, didn’t argue or rile you – and loved you unconditionally. It wouldn’t be a human – it would be a dog, just another reason to take your pet on vacation.
30. True to themselves
We might not always love some of their antics, but a dog will be themselves no matter what. Their character is dependable. They may be flighty, excitable, nervous, placid, or stoic, but you know what you are getting and how to treat them.
You won’t find a mud-loving scruffpot looking in the mirror and longing to be a smooth supermodel canine. Nor will a dog who hates getting their paws dirty pretend they love puddles just to “be fun”. A slow, chunky type won’t wish they were on the sports team with the greyhounds. Dogs know who they are and they’re fine with that.
31. “Anti” social media
Dogs might be the subject of many viral posts on social media but they truly do not care. Scrolling, posting, clicking, liking, and commenting are all irrelevant to them. They live in the real world, the here and now. The bonus is that they might reduce our screen time too as they call for real-life interaction.
32. Improved mental health
Dogs trigger neural pathways similar to the bond mothers have with their babies, which helps reduce loneliness and depression and boosts our mood. They decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol and lower blood pressure.
Their innate ability to give attention, compassion, and awareness far exceeds a human’s. Dogs are even used in hospitals and nursing homes to reduce stress and anxiety. Find a person with this therapeutic capacity!
