The following is a news item selected by the Hitched editors during the week of November 06, 2014.

What Kind of Happiness Boost Do Kids Provide Parents?

New research published in the journal Demography looked at data collected on British and German households. In particular the researchers Mikko Myrskylä and Dr. Rachel Margolis looked to measure the happiness levels children brought to parents. They found the first and second child brought a happiness boost lasting about a year, but a third did not. The happiness from the first child was also twice that of the second child. The happiness men and women felt was roughly the same, however women gained more happiness just before the birth, but lost it quicker after the baby arrived.

In addition, parents who are highly educated or have their first child between the ages of 35 and 49 demonstrated the strongest gains in happiness. For these parents, the happiness stayed and boosted the couple's overall well-being. Conversely, younger or less educated parents saw flat or a downward trajectory of happiness as time elapsed. For teenagers, they saw no boost in happiness and became less happy over time.

If This Pooch Could Talk

Man's best friend can tell some stories, that is according to new research looking at 2,000 dog owners and conducted by Frontline Spot On, a flea and tick prevention service. In an article appearing in the The Telegraph over half of those who purchased a pug are happily married—they were also the richest of those surveyed. In case you're wondering what dogs paired with singles, that would be labradors. Dog owners with Yorkshire terriers reported to be the happiest while those with golden retrievers were the most educated. Those with bulldogs might love their pooch, but one in 12 were looking to exit their relationship (no word on if these dog owners are married or just dating). We know that the bond between dog and human runs deep, but owners of French bulldogs were the most likely to believe that their dog knows what they're thinking.

Would this type of study translate for cats too? Does this study hold true for your breed? Leave a comment below to let us know what type of dog you and your spouse have. Perhaps we can shed some light on other breeds that bring joy to a marriage.