Just as birth rates decline in many wealthy and developed nations, dog parenting is remaining steady and even gaining in popularity. Dogs could satisfy a genetically-embedded drive to nurture and form social bonds, without needing to invest the substanial–and increasing–resources necessary to raise biological children. Additionally, some dogs, particularly breeds with extreme infantile traits (such as pugs and French bulldogs), may appear as helpless, harmless, and innocent as small children. That evidence of dependency on caregivers is another parallel between pet dogs and small children. “In most cases, dog parents choose dogs precisely because they are not like children, and they acknowledge their species-specific needs.”[ Related: Why do dogs lick humans?