In a comparative study published in Frontiers in Psychology, researchers led by Megane E. Burkhard et al. (2023) explored the depth and nature of human-canid emotional bonds. Using similarly socialized and raised dogs (Canis familiaris) and wolves (Canis lupus) housed in a wildlife park, they investigated the degree to which humans and these animals could reciprocate strong emotional relationships.
The study relied on two primary data sources: a human-animal bonds survey completed by trainers and direct observation of social interactions between trainers and canids. Trainers rated the perceived strength of their bonds with each individual animal and with animals raised by their peers. These ratings were then compared with behavioral data from live interactions, such as time spent in proximity and physical contact.
Key findings revealed that bond strength was predicted more by whether the trainer had hand-raised the animal than by the animal’s species. Wolves and dogs alike responded to trainers they were more bonded with by seeking physical contact and close proximity. Interestingly, no significant difference in bonding strength was found between dogs and wolves. These findings support the Canine Cooperation Hypothesis, which proposes that wolves have an innate capacity to form interspecies bonds when socialized properly.
While dogs displayed more submissive behaviors than wolves—especially toward experienced trainers—this did not affect the overall strength of their emotional bonds. This suggests that behavioral style may differ between species, but emotional depth and reciprocity of connection are comparable when the animals are raised in nurturing, consistent environments.
This study challenges long-standing assumptions that dogs are uniquely predisposed to human bonding due to domestication. Instead, it highlights that with early and sustained socialization, even wolves—often viewed as aloof or wild—can develop trust and emotional closeness with humans to a degree similar to that of dogs.
Source: Megane E. Burkhard, Friederike Range, Sarah Ward, Lisa M. Robinson. “Bonded by nature: Humans form equally strong and reciprocated bonds with similar raised dogs and wolves.” Frontiers in Psychology, Volume 13, 2023-01-04. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1084359
