
Walk Your Dog
In a 2014 experiment conducted jointly by the Ruppin Academic Center in Israel and the University of Michigan, 100 Israeli women were presented with vignettes about various men. Some of these men were described as “cads,” characterized by their inclination to cheat on their partner and engage in fights, while others were portrayed as stereotypical “dads,” committed to working hard at their job and taking good care of their children. Interestingly, when the story featured a cad who owned a dog, women rated him as a more suitable long-term partner compared to a cad who didn’t own a dog. Additionally, cads with dogs received slightly higher attractiveness ratings than dads with dogs. The researchers concluded that owning a pet, particularly a dog, conveys traits of nurturance and the ability to make enduring commitments. It also enhances one’s perceived relaxation, approachability, and overall happiness.