A groundbreaking study that looked inside the brains of canines using imaging technology confirmed that our dogs love us as much as we love them. Not only do they reciprocate their owner’s affection in equal measure, but also perceive their humans as their family, the researchers found.

Lead author of the study Attila Andics was quoted as saying by Mic that dogs find relationships with their owners far more important than other pets.

“Bonding with owners is much more important for dogs than other pets.”

The study used neuro-imaging to observe the way dogs react to certain smells. And of all the smells the dogs smelled during the MRI, only the scent of their beloved owner triggered activity in the caudate nucleus of the brain – also known as the reward centre.

The study concluded that pooches prioritize smells and their human’s scent topped all other odors.

Also, the results of the research fully support past canine neuro-imaging studies that showed striking similarities to the way dog and human brains respond to emotional cues.