Human Footprint is a six-part documentary series that examines how humans reshape the planet. You can watch it for free on the PBS website and app in the US; otherwise, you may use a VPN service to connect to an American server to bypass geo-blocks and watch this documentary without restrictions or geo-blocks.
Why is a dog called a man’s best friend?
Man’s Best Friend refers to the unique relationship that many dogs share with humans over 20,000 years, making them often considered man’s closest ally. Frederick, the Great of Prussia, first used this term to refer to dogs as man’s faithful and best friends in 1789, perhaps inspired by an 18th-century poem that claimed they could provide true and unconditional companionship that no other can match: their dog was man’s one true and greatest friend in an often cruel world.
There are many reasons that dogs have earned the reputation as man’s best friend. One is due to their fantastic loyalty towards their owners, as seen when many remain by their sides even when hurt or dying. Furthermore, dogs tend to be very forgiving towards those they dislike if treated poorly.
Another reason dogs are known as man’s best friend is that they possess an incredible capacity to understand human emotions. This ability has led many people to feel closer to their pets than friends or family members; moreover, studies have demonstrated that male owners typically form more muscular attachments to their animals than women.
There’s no exact evidence as to when and why dogs became man’s best friends, but the partnership likely began as an advantageous mutual exchange: dogs provided humans with herding, hunting assistance, early warning systems, and food sources in exchange for companionship, love, and security.
Today, dogs remain indispensable to society and continue to be recognized as man’s best friend. This is because they possess the unique ability to understand human emotion and provide comfort and security to their owners. Furthermore, dogs make wonderful companions that can make anyone’s day better with just a wag of the tail or an expression of affection.
How do dogs become man’s best friend?
Dogs are man’s best friends due to their loyalty, intelligence, and devotion to humans. Dogs love their people unconditionally and always come bearing gifts of affection with wagging tails or cuddling up close on the couch, making them ideal companions through good times and difficult ones without ever passing judgment or criticizing.
Researchers have long been intrigued by the profound relationship between humans and dogs, yet researchers are baffled as to why and how dogs have become man’s best friend. Although researchers knew dogs descended from wolves, they did not fully grasp why and how such special bonds developed between man and his four-legged companion.
It turns out it may have something to do with their genes; mutations of MC2R make ancient canines more relaxed around humans, helping form this unique bond.
This gene makes dogs more responsive to food and treats from their human owners and less anxious. As a result, more dogs than ever follow their human around and become part of their family, creating one of nature’s most unique and endearing relationships, making dogs the perfect partner! No wonder why dogs have long been considered man’s best friend!
How do dogs become our best friends?
People and dogs share an extraordinary connection. But what led to this unlikely alliance in the first place? Unfortunately, the answer may not be so straightforward.
Modern genetics has shown that dogs evolved much more recently than previously believed. Our beloved canines today descended from two distinct groups of ancient wolves living on opposite sides of the globe, according to modern genetic research.
Scientists speculate that early canines realized early on that associating themselves with human hunter-gatherers provided them better food, protection, and hunting assistance than they could get alone. Aside from developing an intimate bond with us because of MC2R mutations (which produce cortisol hormone) to lower stress and make dogs more relaxed around people, ultimately ensuring dogs were hardwired to co-exist alongside us.
