Are Dogs Better Off Now? A Look at Changing Roles and Attitudes

It's easy to idealise the past; memories tend to be selective. We often envision rustic farms, loyal sheepdogs, dogs running free alongside horse-drawn carts, or guarding homesteads at night. For centuries, dogs had jobs. They herded, hunted, guarded, pulled sledges, and even carried messages in wartime. Their value was often directly tied to their usefulness.

Today, while some working dogs continue to work, many living with humans no longer have such clearly defined roles. Instead, they're companions, family members, "fur babies," and even social media stars. Has this shift been beneficial for dogs?

From Partners to Pets: A Cultural Shift

Historically, dogs were bred for function. A Border Collie's energy and focus had a clear outlet in herding. A terrier's tenacity was perfect for keeping farms free of vermin. But as our lifestyles changed, so did our expectations of dogs. Most of us no longer need a dog to perform tasks; we want them to be calm, friendly, non-destructive housemates who adapt to our busy modern lives.

Dogs are no longer just working partners; they're emotional support systems, family members, and sometimes even fashion accessories. This marks a significant cultural shift: we now value dogs for who they are, not just what they can do.

The Benefits: Comfort, Care, and Companionship

There is no doubt that many dogs today enjoy the physical comforts their working counterparts never had. Soft beds, high-quality food, climate-controlled homes, regular veterinary care, and enrichment toys are all available. We grieve their loss like family, celebrate their birthdays, and research their needs with the same intensity we might apply to parenting.

Many dogs now live longer and arguably safer lives, free from the risks associated with being a working animal, such as injury, overwork, or being discarded if they fail at their tasks.

But it is Not Always a Better Deal.

 Sadly,  it's not all good news.

Without jobs to do, many dogs are under-stimulated. Breeds originally developed for high-energy tasks now spend most of their days indoors, alone, or in environments that fail to meet their behavioural needs. This mismatch can lead to frustration, anxiety, reactivity, and other issues often labelled as "problem behaviours."

In some cases, modern expectations are even more challenging than historical ones. Dogs are now expected to behave "perfectly" in complex human environments, quietly navigating cafes, crowds, children, and traffic, without the guidance or training they would have received as working animals.

Rethinking "A Better Deal"

So, is it a better deal for dogs now? The answer is it depends.

The best lives for dogs today are often those where their humans recognise and meet both emotional and behavioural needs, offering outlets for play, exploration, and decision-making, even if the dog isn't "working" in a traditional sense.

Has their role changed from specific tasks to a broader remit of emotional support for humans?

Ask anyone why they live with a dog, and the answers will be varied:

"I've always had dogs."

"For company."

"Because they make me feel better."

"Because they understand me when no one else does."

Rarely does anyone say:

"To guard the house."

"To herd livestock."

And yet, not so long ago, these would have been common answers. Historically, dogs lived and worked alongside us with a clear purpose. Whether herding sheep, catching rats, guarding property, or retrieving game, a dog's value was measured by their utility.

The New Job: Emotional Support

In today's world, fewer dogs have working roles. Instead, they have become emotional companions. We look to them for comfort, connection, unconditional love, and stability in an unpredictable world. For many, the presence of a dog brings calm, reduces loneliness, and provides a sense of purpose.

This shift is profound. Rather than being defined by what they do, dogs are increasingly valued for who they are—and how they make us feel.

They are confidants, therapists, motivators to get out for a walk, and non-judgmental friends. Their role has become broader, less task-specific, but arguably more emotionally charged than ever before.

Looking Forward, Not Back

Instead of focusing on the jobs dogs once had, herder, hunter, and guardian, we might do better to ask:

How can we support dogs in their current roles?

Today’s dogs carry a quiet but heavy emotional load. They’re expected to soothe, entertain, comfort, and adapt, all without complaint. While their traditional jobs may be behind them, their new role as emotional support partners is no less demanding.

So perhaps the question isn't whether dogs are better off now, but rather:

What can we do to ease the burden of being everything to us? Relief, for many dogs, comes not from work but from freedom—freedom to sniff, to rest, to make choices, to express natural behaviours, and just to be a dog.

If we genuinely want to honour the role dogs now play in our lives, we can start by asking not only what they give us but what they need in return.

That’s the new partnership. And it’s one worth getting right.