Is a Cute Dog Better Than an Ugly One?

Cats are nice. I respect people who prefer cats. But I’m a dog person. Nothing triggers more reader mail than a column picking pet favourites. 

But being close to a dog, almost any dog, warms my soul. 

What a wonderful world it would be if people were as generous to humankind as most of us are to our beloved dogs.

What is it about dogs that makes us love them so much? Of course, it’s their unwavering devotion to us. But there’s more. Dogs trigger what scientists call the "baby schema."

The idea was first proposed by Nobel Prize-winning zoologist, Konrad Lorenz. He observed that certain features in human babies--large eyes, round faces, small noses, prominent foreheads, and chubby cheeks--cause an automatic response from us. We find these features cute. We also feel protective of them. The reaction appears to be hardwired into the human brain.

Researchers have since discovered that the effect extends far beyond human babies. Puppies, kittens, teddy bears, and cartoon characters activate the same response. Studies using eye-tracking technology show that young children spend more time looking at faces with stronger baby-like features. Adults do the same. We are drawn toward them.

This response helped our ancestors survive. Human babies are helpless for a long period of time. If adults were not irresistibly attracted to them, babies would not fare well. Evolution established the impetus. Big eyes and round faces stimulate attention, affection, and caregiving behaviour.

But upon seeing a cute dog, I notice my happiness level rises too. Is there any science to that? After all, puppies require a lot of work.

Studies show that appearance plays a major role in why people select particular breeds as pets. Cuteness and physical appearance rank among the strongest motives for acquiring a pet. People report feeling intense attachment to dogs with infant-like features. It’s an odd thing, but some studies find stronger emotional bonds with flat-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs, presumably because of that snub nose.

However, long-term satisfaction depends less on appearance than on behaviour and compatibility. Research on dog-owner relationships found that personality fit, attachment style, trainability, and behaviour predict whether the relationship thrives. In other words, the dog that makes you happiest may not be the cutest dog in the park. It may be the dog that fits your life.

This means ugly dogs can rest easy. People become happily devoted to all sorts of pooches. The mutt with one ear standing up and the other pointing sideways may not win a beauty contest, but to its owner, the goofy look can become utterly endearing. Once we form an attachment to a dog, our emotional response to its appearance becomes part of the bond. Their familiar faces--cute or ugly--become a reliable source of pleasure.

Part of the evidence is in the veterinary bills. Some breeds that humans find cutest are also prone to serious health problems. Flat dog faces may be cute, but they can also make breathing difficult. It’s not a paradox that owners remain deeply attached to these dogs despite the veterinary bills. It’s proof of priorities.

So, does picking a cuter dog lead to more happiness? Apparently not. Cuteness may open the door, but it does not sustain the relationship. It’s the years of loyalty, companionship, and shared routines that matter most.

Keep in mind that dogs can have downsides for your health and happiness as well. Allergies, infections, injuries, and high costs. Before you surrender to those irresistible eyes, make sure you are ready for the responsibility.

And now, here comes your mail!

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This column offers opinions on health and wellness, not personal medical advice. Visit www.docgiff.com to learn more. For comments, diana@docgiff.com.