As I was out walking the other day I looked at other dog owners and had a thought( dangerous I know!!)
Have we got a hardwired mind when it comes to how we own our dogs? I call this the Noah theory!
So I asked myself ...
Two by Two: Is the Noah’s Ark story Hardwired into Dog Owners?
Have you ever noticed how often you see someone walking not one, but two Golden Retrievers? Or a matching pair of French Bulldogs trotting down the street? It’s such a common sight that it begs a fascinating question: Is the “Noah’s Ark” theory of pairing animals two-by-two actually built into human DNA?
The Psychology of Pairs
The short answer? It’s not literally etched into our genetic code as a “Noah’s Ark gene.” However, the psychology behind the famous story and our modern pet-owning habits come from the exact same deeply human place: our profound empathy and our need for social connection.
Here is why we are so naturally drawn to doubling up on our furry best friends:
The Empathy Projection (We Hate Being Lonely): Humans are highly social beings, and we naturally project our own feelings onto our pets (a psychological quirk called anthropomorphism). Because we know we would be miserable sitting alone in a house for eight hours a day, we assume our dog feels the exact same way. The easiest solution to our own guilt? Get them a matching buddy.
The Pack Animal Reality: While it's not in our DNA to collect animals two-by-two, it is in our dogs' DNA to want a pack. Dogs thrive on social interaction. A pair of dogs will play, nap, and keep each other entertained, which often reduces destructive behaviors like chewing or digging out of boredom.
The "Apprentice" Effect: Many owners get a second dog of the same breed when their first dog is getting older. The logic is sound: the older, well-behaved dog acts as a role model, teaching the new puppy the ropes of the household—from where to toilet train to when to bark at the postman!
I do find it interesting that we as owners always double up with the same breed( two by two). I have in the past owned 2 West Highland terriers, 2 Yorkshire terriers & presently I own (through adoption & rescue) 2 Springer spaniels - So I am living proof that the " Noah theory" is in our thinking. It can also be said that when we fall in love with a specific breed we are drawn to owning more of them.
To conclude:
It's a lovely thought that an ancient story from the Old testament & the Jewish Torah has ingrained itself into our hardwired minds and we are drawn to owning 2 of the same breed, but in this year of drought I doubt we will need an Ark in a hurry!!
