Are dogs capable of sticking with a mate for life? Seems common sense, being mammals like us, but they do not take care of their young for long either
2007-10-27 18:05:23 · 8 answers · asked by store detectives r gay 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
No, not really.
There are likely exceptions but that's one of the major differences between dogs and wolves.
Dogs mate whenever they smell a ***** in heat. Wolves mate when the pack is ready. Generally only one pair mate in a wolf pack, and they mate for life. Wild dogs generally reproduce with any and all partners whenever they're able... well, pet dogs too.
2007-10-27 18:10:37 · answer #1 · answered by Cleoppa 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
No, canines are not capable of the concept of marriage or remaining with one mate for life. There are animals that are, humans are not among them either :) Some birds, fish and a few mammals are but for the most part monogamous relationships aren't common in the animal kingdom and certainly not in canines. In a pack of wild canines there is one dog and one b*tch that are allowed to breed and whelp a litter but that is a social order situation instead of a cognative situation and it serves a purpose for the pack -- that of only allowing the best pair to mate and reproduce and the lesser females will actually have false pregnancies to help rear the young and will 'baby sit' them as well because the best pair are usually also the best hunters.
In humans the concept of marriage isn't a species characteristic but a social moray and isn't even a reality in a lot of societies and cultures. Humans don't 'mate for life' in the least. I think Loons do, some of the raptor birds (i.e. Eagles), I can't recall all of the species that do but it really isn't many, just not something I have thought about in many decades! haha
Domestic dogs mate out of instinct and related to hormones and with no real discrimination as to mate.
add: Wolves don't mate for life -- if one partner is killed/dies, the surviving dominant animal selects a new one or a new on emerges from within the pack and continues the reproduction.
2007-10-27 18:21:24 · answer #2 · answered by Nancy M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sweetie, you're talking about monogamy, not marriage. Monogamy is a concept that some mammals adhere to. Marriage is a human construct that has nothing to do with instinctual monogamy.
The fact that your question asks whether dogs are "capable" is interesting. When animals are instinctually monogamous, it's not about being "capable," it's just what they do. It isn't about will power.
No, dogs are not instinctually monogamous. Neither are humans. That's why you think of it as something to achieve, or something one has to be "capable" of.
2007-10-27 18:09:21 · answer #3 · answered by snoopy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Marriage is a human thing only. I assume you're referring to monogamy here. Dogs are not naturally monogamous like us. However, in the right situation, a male dog will likely be attentive to his mate and his puppies. At least this is what I've observed in my dogs. Our male was very attentive to our female while she was pregnant, going so far as nuzzling her in her hours before birth and not leaving her side until we removed him from the room. He was also very attentive to his puppies once the mom allowed him near them, at about 2 weeks old.
2007-10-27 18:12:08 · answer #4 · answered by Shayna 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Marriage-- no
Life long mates-- yes
It's more like a lifelong pack rather than just a mate, but the same concept.
2007-10-28 00:27:33 · answer #5 · answered by mama woof 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You are placing a human trait on a dog. No not unless they have to be.
2007-10-28 11:43:47 · answer #6 · answered by Freckles... 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
why do u need to know? are u thinking of marrying a dog?
2007-10-27 18:13:20 · answer #7 · answered by 4warned 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs are not monogamous
2007-10-27 18:17:15 · answer #8 · answered by PawPrintz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋