It's the article your dog doesn't want you to read.
According to a study conducted at the University of Bristol, cat owners are more likely to hold higher degrees, and often have more demanding jobs than dog owners. Researchers surmised that lifestyle was an important factor in the study, because cats are easier to care for with a busy schedule. The Telegraph reports that income was not an influential factor, and goes on to mention that degree-holders were 1.36 times more likely to be cat (as opposed to dog) owners.
Fortunately, the article ends on a very high note, making mention of the findings from another study published by New Scientist last year that highlights superior problem solving skills, tractability, and understanding in dogs (as compared to cats). video here
Do the findings of this study align with your experience?
Sounds about right. That said, my partner (PhD) and I (MA) have a dog - but I'm lucky enough to be able to bring him to work everyday. We wouldn't have got him if I couldn't.
ReplyDeleteum oddly, yes. I had dogs, but was never very much "into" them like I am with my 2 dogs now. I guess because they were always my partner's dogs not really mine. Loki and Juno are my first dogs that I truly rescued/adopted not inherrited by association with my husband or prior boyfriend. soo....that said... prior to these, i USED to be smart, and make a lot of money. now i write a blog, play with my dogs a lot, do a lot of doggie things and my mind has turned to mush. LOL. but i'm happier.
ReplyDeletei wonder if being less smart and with dogs and happier is much better than being smart, with out dogs and not happy? NOW that's the question that should be asked!
The answer to this is quiet simple: We outsmart the smart ones, therefore they opt to get katz. Duh!
ReplyDeleteTwink!
I think it makes sense in that those with high demanding jobs it is hard to also care for a dog, where as a cat can just be left alone all day.
ReplyDeleteWe are having a $50 gift card giveaway. Sign up here- http://poochieheaven.blogspot.com/2010/02/50-giveaway-at-poochieheaven.html
You can't believe anything researched in the UK! There have always been cats and dogs in this house up until about two years ago......not sure where that leaves me!
ReplyDeleteIt goes without saying that I am highly intelligent.........just ask the dogs!
LOTS OF PEOPLE IN THE UK HAVE CATS AND DOGS. AS THEY SAY PEOPLE OUT WORKING ALL DAY IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR THEM TO HAVE A DOG OR IN SMALL FLATS, TO BE LEFT ALL DAY. WATCHING TRAINED DOGS A CAT COULD NOT MATCH IT. BUT IT WOULD NOT IF IT COULD, CATS ARE FELINE AND WANT YOU TO PLEASE THEM UNLIKE A DOG WHO MOSTLY WANT TO PLEASE THE OWNER. A CAT CAN LEARN TO DO ANYTHING IT WANTS TO DO. SO ALL THIS STILL ANSWERS NOTHING, YOU GET CLEVER DOGS THEN YOU GET THE MOP DOH
ReplyDeletePerhaps dogs are more widely distributed across the social spectrum than are cats.
ReplyDeleteOur folks say they'd rather be married to their dogs than to their jobs!! Thanks Mommy & Daddy! Ya know you redeemed yourself at the end of this post or we woulda been mad at ya. (Had to use lots of slang to reflect our lack of book larnin'!!)
ReplyDeleteSmooches,
BabyRocketDog and Hootie
I think dog owners are more likely to take time to stop and smell the roses along with their dogs, so it's likely. I'd also say that most dog owners consider themselves far wealthier in spirit, even if they don't have a lot of money in the bank, for having had dogs share their lives.
ReplyDeleteWe know that is only in the UK, BOL
ReplyDeleteBenny & Lily
I think the study forgot to mention that dog owners are much more sociable and affectionate. Cats will never love you back as much as a dog. Who comes running to you when you get home? The dog. The cat could care less. I say grrrrr to this!
ReplyDeleteDid the study say what the average IQ was of a human who is crazy enough to surround themselves with six Siberians? Probably psychiatric help recommended.
ReplyDeleteTwink pawed the khorrekht answer!
ReplyDeleteHugz&Khysses,
Khyra
Of course, the study ASSUMES a relationship between degrees, jobs and intelligence. Given that my crazy lady has too many degrees (she likes to paper the bathroom with her many dissertations, right above the toilet "where the crap belongs") and questionable intelligence (who in their right mind would get so many degrees?), not to mention a strange work ethic (know anyone sane who writes horror for a living?), I often wonder: Why me?
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think my crazy human deserves a houseful of Evil Ones, aka CATS.
Thought for today.
Luv,
Sugar
no way. i disagree
ReplyDeleteInteresting...perhaps but we have WAY more fun! ;)
ReplyDeleteI discussed this in depth with my human. She is a scientist and knows full well that statistics can be manipulated to represent any truth you want it to represent. She is also fully aware that degrees do not indicate intelligence. Finally, what is their definition of "demanding job"?
ReplyDeleteIn my humble opinion, I think "studies" like this contribute nothing except to create a false division of people.
'Nuff barked.
Suka
I bet the people who conduct these studies don't even have a pet! All they care about data and who is doing the study about people who do studies? I say who cares what kind of education a person has who adopts a dog or a cat...I know I don't care, I'm just really thankful.
ReplyDeleteyour cat pal,
Bruce:)
That's crap.. maybe the hearty intellectuals have dogs, the less hearty intellectuals have cats. Less work, less commitment you know.
ReplyDeleteWho deems these studies important, anyway? Those with degrees, I'm guessing? I bet they have cats too.
Woof! Woof! Thanks for sharing the article result. But we totally disagree. I wonder how they choose the participant in the survey ... for sure most dog owners can't participate due to their highly demanded jobs. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
ReplyDeleteWell you wouldn't believe how many degrees my human has....And the first one even came from Bristol University (way back in the dark ages).
ReplyDeleteCheers, Hamish.
We are confused now! We have both cats ánd dogs. Not to mention all the other animals that live with us.
ReplyDeleteHas there been any study about horse-owners? Or pig-owners? Or how intelligent are you when you have chickens? My guess is: very! And also very poor moneywise.
But rich on all other accounts ;-)
I'm sure the owning of a cat vs dog has more to do with schedules & how many family members you have rather than the intelligence of the owner. I'm lucky enough to be able to take my dog to my mom's everyday before work, and can get my brother to walk him if needed. Without them, it would be very difficult, if not impossible for me to have a dog with my schedule. (But I'd still try to find a way using a pet sitter or neighbors to help. Dogs are the best!) I have a masters degree, and both my parents earned PhD's and had dogs for years. Also choosing a cat vs dog has to do with how much time you are willing to devote walking, cleaning etc. I think dogs are more work.
ReplyDeleteGood thing I speak your language. ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy belated 2010-wishes from me and my two dogs!
That's not true and if it was, it would only be because Dpg owners have to know, worry care for thier dogs more than cat owners have to!!!! ;o)
ReplyDeleteI believe that study was conducted in a Homeless shelter for felines.
ReplyDelete