There is no doubt that our ancient and enduring relationship with the right boys and girls he made dogs special in so many ways. The dogs they have also influenced our evolution: our link is written in our genes.
But some of his best traits they may have already existed in their wild ancestors, such as their ability to form deep, enduring, and emotionally dependent bonds with us humans.
A team of researchers from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary
“Dogs seek the protection of their owners in threatening situations or are calmer in new situations when their owner is present, but show signs of stress in their absence.” said ethologist Rita Lenkei.
Scientific criteria for this type of attachment include: preference for one individual over another; feel safe enough to explore when the preferred individual is present; signs of stress when they leave; try to reestablish contact; and intense greeting behavior during the meeting.
Indeed, gray wolves have shown these behaviors in tests just like dogs. When their owners dropped them off in an unfamiliar location, they moaned, gasped and licked their lips, signs of stress. They pulled the leash in the direction of their guide’s hiding place, looking for contact.
Wolves also explored the new area when their master was there, showing they felt more secure when their human was around.
The experience also clarifies the nature of the relationship between dogs and humans. Since the study controller was not the original person who raised the Cub, the researchers concluded that this bond forms at a later age than a bond that would suggest a mother-child relationship.
Of course, the lack of research on other species does not mean that they cannot form such links. After all, the ability to care for other individuals of the same species runs deep in our mammalian heritage. It would be fascinating to see how many animals can extend this to other species.