Study: women like men with small dogs in their arms

If you have a profile on a dating app, a new study may encourage you to post photos with small dogs. Researchers from the University of Jaena in Spain have found that men seem less intimidating and threatening when holding a small dog than when they are alone.

Spanish scientists from the University of Jaena conducted a study involving almost 300 female students. They were shown pictures in which people were either alone or with a dog. As a result, the researchers concluded that on dating sites, men can impress women with their photos with small dogs in their arms. This way they look less dangerous, cause more trust and positive emotions.

In some of the pictures, the men were depicted in a positive context — during the day in a public place. The rest of the photos were taken on a poorly lit night street — that is, with negative overtones.

The students had to assess how dangerous and intimidating the people in the photo look. In order for the fear of dogs not to affect the results, the pets were on leashes in the photo.

It turned out that the girls were less scared of people with animals — both in daytime and at night pictures. The presence of a small dog in the photo in most cases enhanced positive impressions and a sense of security.