A bond is a emotion. Although dogs can sense emotion only humans can comprehend and control it to the fullest. In animals emotion reverts back into a animals INSTINCTS because its all genetically bred into them.
I do not consider love intangible. Love does not affect the dog in his performance , its just that the dog seems to love you that's it as a dogs concept of love is very limited.
Things like calling the right weight and feed etc. is what I call intangibles as they are scientific facts that have been proven to actually affect/enhance a dogs physical performance to some degree.
Plus what does everyone consider a BOND? To me a bond is when you take in and care for and raise that dog and treat it properly , that's a bond right there. Even if you spend only 5 min. a day with each dog when feeding or picking up dog shit and giving him a good pat on his head that's enough bond right there IMO. Unless some of you feel you need to cuddle with a dog for hours at a time to accomplish that bond? LOL