The Reason We Find Dogs So Cute | The Science of Cute

Delve into the enchanting world of canine cuteness where we unravel the evolutionary journey of dogs' adorable features from their wolf ancestors. Explore the hypothesis that certain traits in dogs, like big eyes and floppy ears, may have been borrowed from baby features, enhancing their appeal to humans.

Bright Now: The Science of Cute

Domestication shaped wolves into dogs and transformed both their behavior and their anatomy. New discoveries show how dogs produce a very specific eyebrow movement more often than wolves do. But how and why did “puppy dog eyes” develop in domesticated dogs?

#CuriosityStream #Puppies #Dogs #Wolves

[MissBlueEyeliner]

Huskies never needed to use puppy eyes to communicate with humans because they always had gigantic lungs to help them scream.

[Dwilso]

Lol huskies don’t waste their energy moving their eyebrow muscles. They sing the songs of their ancestors any time they are less than thrilled with a given situation.

[voodoochildaz]

Dogs used weaponized cuteness to domesticate humans.

Jokes aside, I think dogs need to be acknowledged as a unique case. No two species interact, live together, work together and communicate like humans and dogs. They are genuine friends and adopted family. They are partners. And that partnership has been ridiculously successful. Both species are far better off together. This is still true, from the paleolithic to the 21st century..

The human/dog relationship is unique on this planet. Dozens of millennia together in bonds of love and friendship.

This I seriously propose a separate legal category for dogs. They are NOT typical domesticated animals... Or even pets really. This is a much older and deeper bond. They are humanity's partner and true friend.

All I propose is that we acknowledge that.

[georgecarberry]

Going to a shelter is a gut wrenching experience. You want to adopt every dog.

[retrievergolden]

I've had many dogs, a number of them Golden Retrievers. I had one in particular (sadly gone at only ten from bone cancer), who was a naturally born therapy dog, no training required at all. He pretty much forced me into visiting drug rehabs and retirement homes with him, because it was what he was born to do. He could pick people out of a crowd who needed comfort from him. One example (of many I could give): heading back to the car at the end of an outdoor concert, he kept lagging behind, looking back into the crowd. I assured him the show was over, it was time to go home...but he plunked that big unbudgeable butt down, refusing to move, looking back behind us. A man caught up with us, and said, "Can I please pet your Golden Retriever? My mother had Goldens, now they're all gone, and so is she." Somehow, that precious boy knew the man was coming.
He was a big boy, 118 pounds, all big fluffy mane and silky dark gold fur, kids buried their faces in that mane. His eyes were something else, chestnut brown, open, trusting, loving. He had bushy eyebrows, set higher than most, and could raise and lower them independently...honestly, the most expressive face I've ever seen on a dog...wish I could post a photo. He was a smart boy, but such a big doofus, and behaved perfectly every place but at home. He had a special affinity for kids and people in wheelchairs; he'd plant that unbudgeable butt next to them and I was there for the duration.
I miss that boy deeply. All my dogs have loved me, but Rowdy loved everyone. He had so much more comfort and love to give to hurting people, and that stupid cancer robbed him of time to give it. He was a gift.

[johnmortison]

Another unique musculature some dogs have (pittie type dogs particularly) is the ability to pull the corners of their mouths back into a smile. Many find this endearing like the raised eyebrows.

[cweaver]

I would die to protect a baby but I don't find them cute. They do get cute as they get older. Dogs are cute at any age.

[jessicakoch]

i have a husky and foster huskies and they lose their minds if they are alone…my husky would attach himself to me if he could…if he can’t see me at the dog park, he starts frantically looking everywhere and then if i call him he immediately bolts to me. They have all been super pack oriented, I know dogs are individuals but having had tons of huskies in my house, ALL of them have wanted to be together…they don’t demand constant pets like a golden retriever might, but they want to be with you all the time.

[auntyshakira]

Every parent/caregiver thinks their own babies are the most cutest/beautiful babies they have ever seen❤ what makes dogs special to me, is the special bond we humans can have with a dog. Some dogs are cuter than others. Its sad to see a cute puppy adopted into a family, but then when the dog gets bigger and less cute they get neglected or yelled at. We need to commit to a Pet for their entire lifetime, not just the cute stage❤

[selinathorn]

as a dog rescuer, i am soooo happy they showed an adoption center and not a breeder <3 we have many mixbreeds here in romania, and some have more prominent eyebrow muscles (or muscle control) than others, the ones with eyebrows tend to be adopted faster (some are mixed with huskys for sure) - always adopt <3

[brynnmorriganpollard]

Babies are okay... as long as you can give 'em back after you're done!

[berniesookie]

I love my husky. Even though he doesn't give puppy eyes, he howls cutely at me and offers his paws to communicate his adorableness.

[SummerStars]

I worked with dogs at Kennels- We saw lots of Huskys but it NEVER occured to me that they didn't make the 'puppy dog' eyes. And I thought I knew a lot about dogs. Wow, learn something new everyday.
I love the 'Silver Fox experiment'! I found that fascinating when i watched the documentary on it.
I just adore this video. I didn't think i'd enjoy it so much, but as a dog lover I guess it was really awesome.

[AA-wctw]

I'm a dog person but I don't find ALL dogs cute. Some are ugly af (which obviously has nothing to do with their deserving of love, happiness, and a good home.)
Adopt, don't shop!

[AmbiPanby]

Did anybody else watch this and be like "nah" when they spoke about the cuteness of babies, and then totally gush over the puppies and dogs?

[ashlid]

dogs are the best. i'm glad they domesticated us ❤

[adreanalangston]

So THAT is why Huskies talk so damn much. They can't express themselves with their eyes. This is fascinating.

[TheBearAspirin]

Narrator: “We love babies. Can’t help ourselves.”
Me: Fast forwards any time a human baby shows up in the video.
😆🐶

[sarah.s.flanagan]

"We LOVE babies"
doooo we though?

[Tinyflower]

i have a husky mix (parents were husky and husky-aussie mix) and while she can do the puppy eyes, she will also always vocalise a bit when she wants something. I think the reason pure huskies vocalise even more than her is because they have to so that humans understand what they want while other dogs can do it with their eyes