Do Dogs Develop a "Couple's Resemblance" with Their Owners?

For many pet owners, it seems like dogs share a surprising number of traits with humans. Whether it's their emotional expressions, their personalities (like being soft or tough depending on the situation), or even their physical appearance, dogs often resemble their owners to some extent. It makes you wonder, when an owner is brushing their dog with a pet comb, do they ever smile at the "couple's resemblance" they see?

As we know, dogs are highly sensitive to human emotions. In fact, their ability to perceive emotions can be up to five times stronger than that of humans. Whether their owner is feeling happy or sad, or even whether the pressure of a grooming session changes, dogs seem to sense it immediately and respond with comfort. During this emotional awareness process, dogs often focus on the left side of their owner's face to gauge their feelings. Perhaps because of this constant "reading between the lines," dogs gradually start to resemble their owners more in appearance, resulting in what we might call a "couple's resemblance." In a study conducted by the University of Bath in the UK, researchers showed photos of dogs and their owners together for comparison. In a third of the cases, people were able to correctly match the dog with its owner over 50% of the time. This suggests that over time, dogs not only become familiar with their owner's scent and face but also start to adopt similar facial features. Beyond appearance, dogs, like humans, enjoy praise and rewards. So, when pet owners feel that their dog has done something great, offering a small treat or using a pet comb for a relaxing massage can be a wonderful way to strengthen the bond between them. It’s a simple but effective way to promote mutual affection!