We all know that dog is man’s best friend. But there are some additional benefits that a canine companion can bring to a household that might come as a surprise to even the most long-standing dog enthusiast.
If you are still deciding whether to take the plunge and search for dogs for sale in Manchester, here are five strange but true facts that might just tip the balance.
Dogs make you happy
We do not only mean that their boundless joy and enthusiasm is sure to make you smile (although that is certainly true) – the truth is that dog owners are less likely to fall victim to depression than people without pets.
For those who do suffer from depression, research has found that the therapeutic presence of a dog can provide more effective relief than prescription medication.
It is hard to say why exactly – perhaps it is the fact that dogs force us to get out and about, or maybe it really is their cheery personalities, but the mere act of looking at a dog triggers the production of oxytocin, the “love hormone” in the brain.
Dogs keep you healthy
We all know we should get more exercise, but it is all too easy to put it off because it is raining, or you’ve got a bit of a headache, or the football is about to start on TV.
None of these excuses will cut the mustard when you have a dog that needs walking, and dog owners have, on average, better all-round fitness than those without.
Dogs are filthy!
Dogs are absolutely covered in germs. You might wonder why this is such a great benefit, but bear with us. These days, it is easy to wrap ourselves and our kids in cotton wool. The trouble is, by living in a sterile environment, we lose our natural immunity and actually become more susceptible to any bacteria we encounter.
A dog in the house means everyday exposure to a variety of bacteria, and a well-tuned immune system. The statistics show that dog owners are ill far less often than those living in a pet-free environment.
Dogs make you more sociable
If you are not the sort of person who finds it easy to strike up conversations, you might just find that your dog will teach you how. Dogs are gregarious, social creatures and love to make new friends.
Take a walk in the park each day and you will soon find that your dog strikes up a number of friendships – and while the dogs are having a chat, the owners can do likewise.
Your dog could save your life
This point might conjure up images of Lassie rescuing Timmy from the well for the hundredth time, but the point is actually a serious one. There is overwhelming evidence that dogs can actually smell cancer in the human body.
Anecdotal evidence abounds of dogs that have worried their humans into getting checked out, by constantly sniffing or licking at a part of their body, and special cancer dogs are trained to screen humans for ovarian cancer.
Man’s best friend is a friend indeed.
