The best and worst things about owning a dog – from close relationship with pet to costly vet bills

The commitment and responsibilities of having a dog can be both a joy and a burden – but are they worth it?

Scotland is a nation of dog-lovers, and the amount of people owning pet pooches is ever-growing. From the Golden Retriever to the West Highland Terrier, Scots are very fond of their furry friends, and the stats prove it.

In 2024, there were approximately 13.5million dogs in the UK, with 36 per cent of households owning at least one dog, according to People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA).

But are dogs really the key to better health and a happier life? This is the question that a new study, carried out by Eötvös Loránd University, the oldest and largest university in Hungary, has sought to answer.

“We were interested to see if all facets of dog ownership could group together into bigger components” said Laura Gillet, lead author of the study. “In the end, we found three of them.

“The first one encompassed the emotional, physical, and social benefits of having a dog. The second one was more on the negative side, referring to the negative emotions and practical challenges arising because of the dog.

“The third was related to the commitment and responsibilities coming with dog ownership in the long term, including, for instance, the time that has to be dedicated to the dog’s daily care and training.”

In the study, dog owners were asked to describe the biggest benefits and challenges of owning a dog. Money came up immediately.

Dog owners were almost unanimous – caring for a dog is expensive. Veterinary costs, food and other expenses were cited by 95 per cent of owners as a negative aspect of owning a pet.

The emotional side of having a dog can also be very taxing. Having a dog with behavioural problems or a long-term medical condition may elicit worry, sadness, and guilt. Over time, these negative feelings might turn into chronic stress or depression, suggested the study.

Dogs’ short lifespan was also classed as a negative, while the most positive part of owning a dog was the belief that dogs brighten people’s lives. All in all, though, the positive statements outweighed the bad.

Intriguingly, one part of the research divided dog owners the most – that the biggest benefit of owning a dog was the “meaningful and valued relationship they developed with them”. More than 60 per cent of dog owners said this, with the pets described as “honest, devoted and supportive social partners, showing unconditional, selfless love to their human family”.

However, others were indifferent to the emotional connection they had with their pooches. Elsewhere, 31 per cent of owners said having a dog improved their lifestyle because they exercised and got outdoors more.

Dogs also brought “stability and structure” to their lives. For 15 per cent of people, another major advantage of sharing life with a dog was the opportunity to bond with a member of another species.

“The results of this study show that the dog ownership experience is multifaceted,” said researchers. “Most importantly, depending on the owner, the commitment and responsibilities coming with dog ownership can be perceived just as much as beneficial as they can be perceived as an emotional and practical burden.

“It is also possible that some owners struggled with their dogs without being able to talk about it for fear of being judged and labelled as a ‘bad owner’.”

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