Introduction
Dog ownership often brings to mind the image of an affluent suburbanite and their purebred pup. Yet pet ownership crosses lines of class, race, and income – about 48% of U.S. households have dogs. But is there something special about dog owners that sets them apart from their petless peers?
Studies have found evidence that dog owners lead happier, healthier, and more connected lives. But is there more to the story than that? Do dog owners achieve more career and financial success in life too? We’ll take an in-depth look at the evidence.
Defining ‘Success’
When examining whether dog owners are more successful, it’s important to first define what ‘success’ means. Success can take many forms, including:
Financial success – Having a high income, lucrative career, valuable assets, and overall financial security and stability.
Career success – Reaching high levels of achievement and leadership in one’s profession, being respected and valued in one’s field.
Relationship success – Having meaningful personal connections, a strong support network, and positive interactions with friends and family.
Health and wellbeing – Enjoying good physical health, as well as mental/emotional health and life satisfaction.
While ‘success’ can be subjective, for the purposes of this article we will examine it through the lenses of financial achievement, career advancement, personal relationships, and health/wellbeing.
The Benefits of Dog Ownership
Dog ownership provides many benefits that can positively impact owners’ lives. Comprehensive studies have shown dog owners often lead happier, healthier lives thanks to the companionship, responsibility, and improved health that comes with having a canine companion.
One of the most commonly cited benefits of having a dog is companionship. Dogs provide constant friendship and affection for their owners. They are always excited to see their owners when they get home from work or other activities. For people living alone, dog ownership helps ease loneliness and gives them a loyal friend. Those going through difficult life events, such as divorce or the death of a loved one, can find great comfort from the steady companionship of a trusted canine.
Owning a dog also teaches responsibility. Caring for a dog requires diligence in providing food, water, exercise, grooming, training, veterinary care and more on a daily basis. Learning to be responsible for another living being can help dog owners be more responsible in other areas of their lives. The routine and commitment involved in proper dog care promotes accountability.
Additionally, studies show dog ownership leads to improved physical and mental health benefits. Dog owners get more exercise by walking their dogs regularly. This activity helps reduce obesity, lower blood pressure, and relieve stress. Petting a dog releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and affection, which provides a mood boost. Senior citizens also benefit from dog ownership by having a motivator for more activity and socialization. Overall, the companionship and routine of dog ownership contribute to owners leading more active, energetic lives.
Dogs and Social Connections
Owning a dog can lead to increased social connections in various ways. Taking your dog to the park provides many opportunities to meet fellow dog owners and strike up conversations. Dog parks serve as social catalysts where people tend to be more open to chatting with strangers.
Simply walking your dog around the neighborhood also presents chances to meet neighbors you otherwise might never engage with. People are more inclined to stop and greet each other when out walking dogs. Starting these neighborly interactions can lead to building a sense of community and getting to know those who live nearby.
With the ice nicely broken thanks to the dogs, conversations can quickly move beyond just discussing your pets to learning about each other’s lives and interests. Exchanging contact information to set up dog playdates or sharing recommendations creates pathways to developing new friendships.
The responsibilities of dog ownership also tend to get people more involved in their communities. Joining local dog meetup groups, attending events like charity dog walks, or volunteering at animal shelters are rewarding ways to meet like-minded people.
Dogs and Improved Health
Dogs motivate their owners to live healthier lifestyles. Dog owners get more exercise than non-dog owners because dogs need to be walked regularly. According to one study, dog owners walk an average of 22 minutes more per day than non-dog owners. This extra exercise reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other health conditions.
Having a dog also leads to lower stress levels. Petting a dog releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and affection, which provides a calming effect. Cortisol levels decrease and heart rate and blood pressure go down when bonding with a dog. Multiple studies show dog owners have lower systolic blood pressure readings than non-dog owners.
The social support of having a canine companion also contributes to better psychological health. Dogs provide unconditional love and comfort, especially for people living alone. The companionship of a pet can ward off loneliness and give elderly individuals a renewed sense of purpose.
Dogs and Career Success
Many studies have shown that dog owners tend to be more successful in their careers. There are a few key reasons for this:
Improved focus – Dogs demand your attention and get you into a routine of taking them for walks and playing with them. Having this consistent distraction-free time allows you to clear your mind and focus better when you are working. The increased focus leads to improved productivity and career success.
Better time management – Taking care of a dog requires structure and scheduling. You need to plan your day around taking them for walks at certain times, feeding them, etc. This requirement for structure helps dog owners become better at time management. Learning to manage your time around caring for your dog’s needs translates directly into managing your time better for work and being more productive.
Dogs and Financial Success
Owning a dog can motivate people to earn more money and achieve greater financial success. Dogs have many ongoing expenses associated with their care including food, medical bills, grooming, boarding, supplies and more. According to the ASPCA, the average annual cost of owning a dog is $1,480 for a small dog and $2,115 for a large dog.
Knowing they have a financial dependent can drive dog owners to perform better at work and seek promotions or new job opportunities. The desire to provide a comfortable lifestyle for their pet may inspire someone to increase their education or upgrade their skills.
Additionally, owning a dog encourages better money management habits. Dog owners must budget and save in advance for predictable annual dog expenses like vaccinations. They also have to be prepared for unexpected veterinary bills for illnesses or injuries. Responsible financial planning is essential.
While dog ownership costs money, caring for a pet provides powerful motivation to earn and be thoughtful with finances. The aspiration to be a good provider for their loyal companion helps many dog owners achieve greater financial success.
Challenges of Dog Ownership
While there are many benefits to owning a dog, there are also significant challenges and responsibilities that come with being a dog owner. Some of the main challenges dog owners face include:
Time Commitment
Dogs require a major time investment. Between daily walks, play time, training, grooming, and general care, dog owners must dedicate hours every day tending to their pet’s needs. This time commitment can be difficult to balance with work, family, and social obligations.
Costs
Owning a dog is expensive. Upfront costs of supplies, vet bills, training classes, licensing, and microchipping can add up quickly. Ongoing costs like food, treats, toys, grooming, pet insurance, kenneling when traveling, and unexpected vet bills for illnesses or injuries make dog ownership a significant financial commitment.
Limitations on Travel
Dog owners face greater challenges when it comes to travel and being away from home. Kenneling and paying for pet care while out of town can be costly and stressful. Many rental properties have restrictions on pets, limiting accommodation options. Taking dogs on trips also requires more planning and logistics.
Studies on Dog Owners and Success
A number of studies have explored the potential link between dog ownership and success. Here is an overview of some of the key research in this area:
A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2018 looked at dog ownership and occupational success in over 10,000 people. It found that dog owners were about 15% more likely to be employed than non-dog owners. Dog owners also achieved higher levels of education and income.
Another study by the American Kennel Club in 2017 surveyed 1,000 dog owners. It found that dog owners were more likely to report feeling satisfied with their personal and professional lives compared to non-dog owners. 65% said their dog made them feel loved, and 57% said dogs reduced stress.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge analyzed medical records of over 4,000 dog owners and non-owners. Their 2019 study found that dog owners had a lower risk of premature death, especially due to cardiovascular disease. They noted potential stress-busting benefits of owning a dog.
A 2008 study of business executives found that dog owners tended to have stronger networking and leadership skills. The researchers hypothesized this could be because dog parks and walking their dogs gave these executives more opportunities for social interaction.
While further research is warranted, these studies point to potential health, social, and career advantages associated with dog ownership. More data is needed to firmly establish a causal link between owning a dog and greater success in life.
Conclusion
In summary, there seems to be evidence that dog owners tend to be more successful by some common measures of success, such as income, career satisfaction and progress, social connections and relationships, and overall health and wellbeing. However, the exact reasons for this correlation are still unclear.
While several studies show that dog owners do tend to report higher income levels, it’s not fully explained if dog ownership causes greater financial success or vice versa. Dog owners may have more disposable income to care for a pet. And dog ownership does come with many expenses, so typically requires a certain level of financial stability.
Dogs have been shown to help facilitate social connections and decrease feelings of isolation. They can act as social catalysts in communities and neighborhoods, bringing people together through dog parks and walks. The friendships and expanded social circle gained through dog ownership may indirectly help career networking and success.
Dogs may also contribute to overall health and wellbeing through increased exercise and stress reduction. This in turn can boost productivity and career satisfaction. However, the challenges of caring for a dog can also add stress, so the impacts are multifactorial.
In conclusion, while correlations exist, the direct causal relationships between dog ownership and success cannot be firmly established. There are many contributing factors. But it does appear that the companionship, social catalysts, exercise motivation, and unconditional love provided by dogs contribute positively to many measures of human health and happiness. With smart strategies for affording pet care, dog ownership appears to correlate with, if not directly cause, greater success and wellbeing for many people.