Why is anthropomorphism more common with dogs than any other animal??

I keep seeing pics of "smiling" dogs and it's really starting to annoy me.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

TinyViolins · 31-35, M

Their entire evolution is because of us. They started off as docile wolves before we got our hands on them. Of any species, they should rightfully be the most anthropomorphized considering how many of their traits were bred into them by us

NorthernRoses · 26-30, F

@TinyViolins well yeah but they're not humans, they don't function the same way humans do, they don't think like humans do, and they definitely don't act like humans do.

I'm just real tired of seeing "cute" videos and photos of super stressed-out dogs, dogs "grieving" over someone's grave, and all those "my dog broke something and feels guilty about it" vids. The last two are harmless, but they're so, so annoying once you see it.

TinyViolins · 31-35, M

@NorthernRoses That's the whole point of anthropomorphism. They're not supposed to act like humans. We're supposed to place those human traits and motivations on them

NorthernRoses · 26-30, F

@TinyViolins yeah, they're not supposed to act like humans, because they're not.

Putting human traits and motivations on them is not only pretty annoying, it can limit the quality of the care they get from their owners. Health problems go untreated, people misread a situation and get bit (specifically about the smiling dogs, but still), behavioral problems are rewarded or not noticed, etc.

It's irresponsible, especially for owners who haven't even read up on how to keep a dog properly before getting one.