![]() ![]() Rather than be employed in useful work as hunters, herders or guards, the pedigree pet dogs of the rich had only to look distinctive. The more useless or unneeded an object, the better it reflected its owner’s expansive success. Veblen argued that breeding, owning and showcasing rare and unusual breeds of dog by the rich was a prime example of what he called ‘conspicuous consumption’ – consumption that signalled wealth and social status. Thorstein Veblen, in The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899), was one of the first social critics to suggest that people use dogs as status symbols. But unfortunately, it isn’t all sweetness and light – the enduring cuteness of certain dogs throughout life has become a status symbol unto itself. As the neuroscientist Morten Kringelbach and his colleagues write in a review of the phenomenon, cuteness is ‘one of the most basic and powerful forces shaping our behaviour’.Ĭuteness is also one of the most basic and powerful forces shaping human relations with dogs. Human babies share with other animal babies the same cute features, which is why we find baby animals irresistible. The baby schema triggers a flood of hormones in the adult brain and, more importantly, captures attention and propels into top priority those movements that respond to the baby. Ethologists have described a ‘baby schema’ – a collection of infantile features such as a round face, big eyes, a little nose, soft skin or fur, unique smells (puppy breath!), and crying sounds – that release innate caregiving behaviours. It’s natural.Ĭuteness in offspring serves a key evolutionary function of eliciting a caregiving response from adults. If this happens to you, your brain has been hijacked by cuteness. A bad day can feel so much better, thanks to the little furry bundle of joy. You might feel an almost irresistible desire to hold and play with the pup, to get a whiff of her puppy breath. The same thing might happen if someone walks past you with a puppy. Even though you keep your hands to yourself, you might want to scoop the baby into your arms and give her a cuddle. Your eyes keep drifting back to the sweet little face, the chubby little hands, the fuzzy hair, the wide eyes that seem to stare right into your soul. Fortunately, some specialty dog breeds are mixed to look like puppies throughout their entire lives-and they are sure to melt your heart the second you lay your eyes on them.Standing in the grocery line, you find it hard to look past that mother and, especially, her baby. Small dogs are also great for families with young children or those of senior age who are best matched with a breed they can physically handle. ![]() Maybe you have a small apartment or just want a canine companion that you can easily carry along with you anywhere you go. You may want a forever puppy if you are used to smaller animals. There are some breeds that stay small in size even when they're fully grown. But not all dogs are destined to become giants. ![]() ![]() Some breeds, like the Old English Sheepdog or Great Dane, will grow to become larger in size than most people. And yet, like any pet, puppies grow up and turn into dogs. We fall in love with their big eyes, little button noses, fluffy tails, and clumsy paws. 9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown Puppies are irresistible. ![]()
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