If you call your Shih Tzu your “child” and can’t stand when someone criticizes you for it, this article might give you a good defense.
A recent study aimed to uncover how Shih Tzus view their owners. Are we just the ones who feed them, parents, or perhaps fellow dogs? Scientists used MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machines to try to get answers by measuring dogs’ brain activity.
Your Shih Tzu Loves Your Smell – Even If You’re Sweaty!
One of the strongest pieces of evidence that your Shih Tzu is deeply attached to you comes from a study by Emory University in the U.S.
This research focused on dogs’ sense of smell, which is their most powerful and important sense, to figure out what makes them happiest. The experiment involved presenting the dog with various scents and measuring the reaction in the part of the brain associated with positive experiences.
The smells presented to the dogs included their own scent, the scent of a familiar person, a stranger, a familiar dog, and an unfamiliar dog. Interestingly, even though the person presenting the scents was a stranger, the dogs were still able to differentiate between them.
Your Shih Tzu Can Tell the Difference
The study revealed that Shih Tzus can distinguish between the scent of their owner and others. What’s fascinating is that the part of the dog’s brain responsible for rewards lit up when it recognized the owner’s scent, even if the owner wasn’t physically present.
Out of all the smells, the dogs prioritized their owner’s scent above all others. This response was consistent across different breeds and ages, showing that this behavior isn’t unique to Shih Tzus.
For Shih Tzus, we are family. Just as we consider them important members of our family, they view us as part of theirs.
Would You Save Your Dog or a Stranger?
To understand how much we love our dogs, another study asked people whether they would save a stranger or their dog in a life-threatening situation. A large number of participants said they would save their dog, seeing them as family members.
For many people, Shih Tzus are like children, while for others, they might be seen as siblings or best friends. No matter how you view them, the study suggests that we don’t just see Shih Tzus as pets, but as one of us.
This strong bond is also evident when it comes to their food. Even in times of financial crisis, most Shih Tzu owners prefer to use discounts or coupons rather than switch to lower-quality dog food, ensuring their pet still receives the best.
Shih Tzus Look to Their Owners Like Children Look to Parents
Another study by the University of Vienna showed that Shih Tzus look at their owners in much the same way that young children look to their parents. When they are scared, hungry, or unsure, they seek comfort and support from their owners. Just like a child looks to their parent for safety, your Shih Tzu relies on you to help them feel secure in new or uncertain situations.
Is It Okay to Treat Your Shih Tzu Like a Child?
Treating a Shih Tzu like a child is something many owners naturally do. Since dogs are often considered to have the intelligence of a two-year-old child, this encourages us to treat them in ways similar to how parents treat their kids.
This close bond between dog and owner is not just emotional; it’s also based on how both humans and dogs perceive each other as family.
It’s perfectly fine to see your Shih Tzu as more than just a pet. The bond you share with your dog is strong and meaningful, and studies show that the feelings are mutual.