It’s no secret that people tend to choose romantic partners who are similar to them, but is it true that a doggie parent’s personality is reflected in their choice of dog breed? Recent studies say yes. Although they can’t talk, your pooch’s breed says a lot about your personality, whether your four-legged friend is a Great Dane or a chihuahua. In an innovative and original study, researchers were determined to crack down on the burning question: what does a person’s choice of dog breed say about them?
Lance Workman, a psychologist at Bath Spa University in the U.K. conducted an online survey to analyze the personalities of 1,000 dog owners based on the “Big Five” personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Dog breeds were broken up into seven categories: gun/sporting dogs, hound dogs, pastoral breeds, terriers, toy dogs, utility breeds, and working breeds. Take a look at the following list and see which category you and your pup fall into!
Gun/Sporting Dogs (Labrador, Golden Retriever)
You don’t get much more agreeable or conscientiousness than a gun/sporting dog owner. These outdoorsy doggy parents are up for anything, whether it involves staying in watching a movie, going to the park, or taking a walk.
Hound Dogs (Beagle, Basset Hound, Dachshund, Greyhound)
You aint nothin’ but a hound dog… and an emotionally stable person! The study found that those with hound dogs are more calm and consistent. No wonder President Lyndon Johnson had a beagle!
Pastoral Breeds (German Shepherd, Corgi)
Introvert or extrovert? According to the study, if you have a dog who’s from a pastoral breed, you’re probably an extrovert. Doggy parents who fit in this category love nothing more than to have their furry friend accompany them on social outings! Cute factor aside, these pups tend to be curious and play well with others.
Terriers (Jack Russell, Staffordshire Bull Terrier)
The study didn’t find any noticeable trends among owners of terriers. Workman noted that “terrier owners weren’t high or low on anything in particular.” The breed itself is known to be courageous, tenacious and powerful.
Toy Dogs (Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Poodle, Pug)
Step back, Paris Hilton haters, it seems like this starlet may not be as simpleminded as you think. It turns out that toy breeds are likely to be intelligent and creative and their owners tend to be open-minded and creative. Looks like the common stereotype that owners of toy breeds are “airheads” can be put to rest.
Utility Breed (Dalmation, Bichon Frise, Bulldog)
Along with pastoral breeds, doggy parents who fell into the utility breed category were the most extroverted. Seen as having a gentle, protective demeanor, these breeds are courageous and scale high on the conscientious scale.
Working breed (Boxer, Great Dane, Doberman)
Calling all easygoing and clever doggy parents! Looks like you bunch are agreeable and intelligent.
Clearly, as the study suggests, there’s a strong connection between a dog owner and the type of breed they have. The next time you feel like you’re misunderstood in the world, turn to your furry best friend. He gets you! Now, the burning question is: what does your canine companion say about you?
No matter what breed of dog you have, remember that your pooch will always appreciate being in a home environment when you’re away. Home dog boarding services like DogVacay ensure that your pup is in good hands while you’re sippin’ on mojitos on your next vacation.
To see our comprehensive list of dog breeds that includes personality, temperament, and fun dog breed facts, click here!
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