But if you’re after a truly dependable companion, you may be best off with a dog. That, at least, is the implication of a study which found that the emotional bonds owners share with their dogs outshine almost every kind of human relationship. The sole exception is the tie between parent and child. More than 700 dog owners were asked to rate their relationships with their pets according to 13 criteria, including how much support, affection and loyalty they felt they derived from them. They also did the same for their relationships with four humans: a romantic partner, a best friend, a child and their “closest kin”.

Source: The Times April 22, 2025 21:55 UTC