Older generations might say that we're going a bit overboard with how much we care about our pets. But if you ask me, I'd say it's just the right amount. And if money is any indication of love, then the amount of money we spend on our beloved pooches and felines would say that we adore them to no end.

The pet market in the U.S. alone is predicted to reach $152 billion this year. And, sorry, to the cats, dogs are still the more popular pet among Americans, as 51% own at least one dog. If you're looking for a lucrative business idea, opening that dog hotel or knitting dog sweaters just might be the field to invest in!

Our parents can make fun of us all they want, but we really do think of our dogs as our children. A 2024 survey shows that 85% of dog owners think of their pet as a child. You'll give that 76% maybe don't go that far, but still refer to their dogs as "the main characters" of the family.

Owning a dog has many more benefits than just satisfying your need to pamper and take care of someone else. Your four-legged best friend, first and foremost, helps you feel less alone. A 2019 study found that after people buy a dog, their self-reported feelings of loneliness diminish significantly.

Dogs can also be good for our hearts; and not just in the metaphorical sense that they teach us to love and make our hearts bigger with their unconditional love. Scientists have found that pet owners might have a lower risk of illnesses related to high blood pressure and stress. So, the next time you're feeling stressed out, give your doggo a snuggle.

Or, better yet – take your Fido for a walk! Research has also proven that dog owners are way more active than those who don't own any pets. In fact, a 2019 study done by British scientists concluded that dog owners are almost four times more likely to reach the recommended daily physical activity guidelines than non-owners.

People say that a dog and their owner look alike. Naturally, then, if a dog has a wonderful personality, does that mean that their owner has a face for radio as well? Not necessarily, as a series of studies has shown that women are more likely to give men their number when the guys have dogs with them.

Dogs make us go out much more, we've already established that. But the benefits that come from it can benefit our mental well-being, not just our physical health. A 2015 study found that having a pet makes it easier to find friends, get to know people, and maintain a social support network. Dog owners, unite!

Have you ever wondered why we find dogs so cute and irresistible? Scientists speculate that big-eyed puppies and doggos with their floppy ears awaken our innate desire to be caregivers. It's similar to babies: when we see a wee human, we often can't resist saying "Aww". The "infant schema", or facial features that characterize a cute infant face, goes beyond species, thus making us drawn to dogs.

We'd like to believe that our dogs can into all kinds of shenanigans to amuse us. But pet behaviorists say that's unlikely. In a previous interview for Bored Panda, Karen Wild CCAB said that people often misinterpret their dogs' behavior. "They say the reason for [an emotion in a dog's face] could be something only humans would do or think. It is very coming for people to get it wrong," she noted.

For example, when our dog gets "the zoomies," we tend to think that they're super excited. However, Karen explained that it's sometimes the opposite. "This can sometimes be a sign of overwhelm rather than happy excitement," she pointed out. "Body signals in dogs can be due to negative emotions as well as positive ones, and often a mixture of these."

On a scale of one to 10, how silly do you think the dogs on this list are, Pandas? Upvote your favorite 'malfunctioning' doggos and don't forget to give some love to your favorites in the comments as well! After that, be sure to check out our previous articles about the What's Wrong With Your Dog community here, here, and here!