International
Dog ownership could result in a stronger sense of community, according to Japanese researchers, who say this may be because it fosters neighbourhood-based connections. The team conducted social surveys of 377 people in Tokyo, finding that dog ownership was associated with an increase in anchored personal relationships - a type of relationship that revolves around a shared time, place, and activity, such as walking around the block or visiting the dog park. The study found that those anchored personal relationships were more likely to have a bigger impact on a sense of community than friendships, which the authors say may be because people seen walking their dog are more likely to be residents of the same neighbourhood, while friendships are often formed for reasons other than living close by. The team also found that dog ownership did not increase the likelihood of having friends in the same neighbourhood.
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