Why should someone hold a higher value due to likeness? This is deeply flawed and dangerous thinking. This is how we justify harming others, we focus on how they are different so they become less human to us, then we go on to justify doing what we like to them. It’s how whites justified enslaving black people, etc.
Because the relationships we have, the way we interact, the way the whole world operates is based on our relationship with other humans. Not dogs. Look at the pandemic - coming together to help each other, clap for key workers, deliver food etc to neighbours, volunteer...this is humans working with humans at their best. That cannot be replicated with animals.
And the fact you're comparing favouring humans over dogs with racism is beyond hilarious.
Let me ask you - if your mum or dad (or a human you love, I presume you have one in your life?) were in a burning building or a strangers dog - why would you save your mum or dad? And if someone let them burn and saved their dog, would you not be disturbed by that?
While I agree that relationship with other humans is far more complex I do not necessarily think this is a good thing. I don’t think the complexity of a relationship is indicative of the deepness in a bond that you have with someone (human and non-human alike).
Complexity allows you to bond more deeply. We make friends with humans based on mutual compatibility. There's no mutual compatibility with let's because of the peer imbalance - they're with you because you chose them, they didn't choose you, and they (mostly) behave themselves in order to get fed and walked. I don't have friends who rely on me to have a basic existence and have that as the basis of a friendship.