WASHINGTON – Some people say pet owners often resemble their dogs, and a new study suggests the breed can also say a lot about their personality.
“People tend to report that their dog’s personality is quite similar to their own, but we wanted to see if these stereotypes actually stand up to scrutiny,” study author Dr. Lance Workman told WebVet.
One thousand dog owners filled out a questionnaire online testing the five main personality traits: extroversion, agreeableness, emotional stability, conscientiousness and intelligence.
Herding dogs: People who owned herding dogs, like German shepherds or sheepdogs, tend to be more extroverted
Hound dogs: These dog owners are more emotionally stable
Sporting dogs: Like retrievers and cocker spaniels, these humans are agreeable and conscientious
Toy dogs: People who owned toy dogs, like Chihuahuas or Yorkshire terriers, were more agreeable, more conscientious and more open to new experiences.
Non-Sporting dogs: People who owned utility dogs, like English bulldogs Shar-Peis and Chow Chows, were more conscientious and extroverted.
Terriers and working dogs: No personality traits stood out in the survey among people who owned these breeds. Sorry, guys.
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