Everyone knows that dogs have a hierarchical division. So what does hierarchy look like in their world? How do they divide ranks? Let's learn together with the editor below!

Is There a Hierarchy in the Dog World? The Hierarchical Division of Dogs

Within groups, dogs have a certain hierarchy. In households that keep dogs, when it comes to ranking order, dogs usually place the male owner first, themselves second, children and other dogs third, and the female owner is always ranked last. The dog's obedience to the strong is always shown to those it respects in its heart, not just whoever feeds it. Even very close young owners may not receive the same level of obedience. The dog’s respect for its most respected owner is not always consistent; whenever it has a chance, it will show instinctively through its behavior a desire to climb to the highest position.

If you indulge it a few times, it will think humans are weaker than itself, and gradually lose obedience to the owner, even wanting to dominate humans. "Dogs are raised by humans" is merely a mindset and idea of humans themselves. For dogs, if the owner cannot lead them spiritually, then the owner is no longer an owner. When a dog wants to compete for the first rank, it no longer considers you a human, but just treats you as a fellow dog.

Is There a Hierarchy in the Dog World? The Hierarchical Division of Dogs

Dogs sometimes like humans even more than other dogs when living with humans for a long time. This is not only because humans take good care of them, providing food, shelter, and a stable life, but more importantly, dogs develop deep emotional bonds with humans during the companionship. They have a strong protective instinct towards their owners. When an owner or a closely related family member faces danger, dogs often perform amazing acts based on their strong sense of companionship with humans. We all hear many stories of dogs rescuing children from water, burning houses, or under cars. Of course, dogs also help their fellow dogs who are in distress or injured.

Dogs are naturally sociable, but there is a clear hierarchy within groups. In dog breeding farms, rural areas, or suburban dog packs, there is always a lead dog (usually an old dog) that dominates and governs the entire group. High-ranking or senior lead dogs usually use certain specific actions to show their dominance, such as only allowing themselves to inspect the reproductive organs of other dogs; forbidding other dogs from urinating where another dog has already urinated; other dogs may shake their heads, wag their tails, play around, retreat, sit, or lie down in front of the lead dog, and only stand when the lead dog leaves.

Is There a Hierarchy in the Dog World? The Hierarchical Division of Dogs