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Comment by mancerayder | Hacker News Reader

American women?

In the U.S. dogs seem preferred among the younger generation (and possibly in general, I don't know the numbers). I've heard it that cats are 'for women' and dogs preferred because it shows loyalty. A large percentage of women on dating profiles in my area write "I always stop to pet dogs when I'm out walking, I can't help it. Big plus if you have a dog!!"

I'm pretty sure it's cultural. In many countries dogs are expected to live outside as they're viewed as dirty. I believe in Middle Eastern countries cats are preferred to dogs.

I'm skeptical of evolutionary link here in terms of male desirability. Dog ownership might have something to do with a proxy for children and 'taking care' of a child-like creature (cats are more independent).

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Evo psych like this is generally indistinguishable from just-so stories.

My partner (US American woman) thinks dogs have been bred to act needy and pathetic. I tend to agree. I guess I can see how that could be mistaken that for loyalty, but it doesn't make it more attractive.

There's a lot of dog breeds. Some are aloof and distant, some are needy and anxious (which people do confuse as affection/love). I prefer the former.

What dogs are you talking about here?

Hard to see a border collie as needy and pathetic to me.

Labrador maybe. Pugs definitely.

Isn't a border collie crazy need as a high energy dog that needs a lot of stimulation?

Yes, its a working dog. Need to give it a big backyard/farm to run around in.

So not pathetic or needy. Just don't lock it inside.

The dimension I use is independent (most cats) vs dependancy (most dogs).

If someone is a dog owner type, I often stereotype them as wanting to both nurture and control, more parental. Cat owners often encourage independence. The relationship they want to have with a pet often bleeds over into the relationship they have with a partner.

I do strongly agree that evo-psych makes little sense: just-so narratives sound good though!

Man <-> dog connection comes from their historical role of dogs as work animals and men being in those professions. Herding, hunting, guarding, ratting, war, etc.

Cats are used as mousers/ratters. But that's it for cat jobs and they do that independently, not with a human cohort.

A boy/man and his dog is a pretty classic American archetype (Old Yeller, Where the Red Fern Grows). I don't think it's evo-pysch really, but it does indicate you are somewhat active probably, you have your shit together enough to care for a living thing, and you are capable of affection / emotionally available to another living thing.

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