Grooming Matters
Why People Choose the Dogs They Do typography
vector graphic of people standing in front of cages with dogs in them
by Daryl Conner
Have you ever wondered why people choose the breeds of dogs that they do? If so, you are not alone. Studies have focused on specific human personality traits and how they correlate to the breeds or types of dogs that people are attracted to. Lance Workman, a psychologist at Bath Spa University in the United Kingdom, broke it down into this simple sentence: “We go for dogs that are a bit like us, just as we go for a romantic partner who is a bit like us.” 1

Human personality traits have been studied as far back as in ancient Greek societies. Contemporary psychological theory holds that there are five basic personality traits common in humans. Each category covers a range between extremes, with most people falling in the center of each group. The commonly accepted “Big Five” are Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.2

A United Kingdom’s Kennel Club study compared over 1,500 pet owners of 16 common dog breeds to these five human personality traits. They concluded that “…people who enjoy new experiences, have many hobbies, and enjoy taking risks are more likely to own Whippets, while those who are positive and happy often had Golden Retrievers. Owners with strong organizational skills who preferred to stick to the rules had Miniature Schnauzers, and people ranking the highest on agreeableness and extroversion owned Pomeranians. Finally, those who ranked themselves as being most affectionate tended to pick Staffordshire Bull Terriers, while owners of Jack Russell Terriers (often described as very friendly dogs) described themselves in similar terms.”3

The Big Five: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism typography
I asked professional dog trainer Sumac Grant-Johnson (CPDT-KA, Wag It Games Founder) if she had noticed any parallel traits in the human/canine teams she has worked with over the years. She said, “I definitely see some trends. Labrador Retriever owners tend to have light personalities and a sense of humor. Thus, they laugh when their third Lab is dragging toilet paper around the house. Border Collie and herding breed owners, in general, tend to be more type A personalities. They, like their dogs, prefer order and efficiency. Terrier people tend to be opinionated and speak their minds. I have noticed that German Shepherd owners tend to be extra affectionate, motherly types. Those are the ones that I see the most consistency with.”

I recently discussed this topic with one of my grooming customers who is a psychiatrist. She was interested in the idea of people choosing pets based on their personality type but added, “A lot of people buy into a type of dog because it’s a fad,” and cited the current overwhelming popularity of any dog mixed with a Poodle.

Sometimes people are attracted to a dog breed because of stereotypical perceptions of its characteristics and by that breed’s physical appearance. For instance, I know someone who loves the look of Siberian Huskies and considers the fact that they work in conjunction with humans to pull a sled means they would be good companions. However, they failed to consider the breed’s need for extensive physical exercise, and that they are bred to think for themselves and bore easily living in a city apartment with only a brief leash walk twice a day. In this case, the human’s perception did not match the reality of the breed’s true personality, and the dog had to be re-homed.

Becoming educated on a breed’s actual personality rather than relying on stereotypes is highly recommended. One good way to begin is to research what the dog was initially bred to do. For example, consider the beautiful Dalmatian. These dogs were developed to accompany horse-drawn coaches and protect the vehicle and the horses. So, by deciding on this breed, you are signing up for an active dog that requires exercise and mental challenges. You can also expect that this breed might have protective tendencies and probably won’t be overly friendly with other dogs (one of their jobs would have been keeping dogs away from their coach.)

vector illustration of three differently sized dogs surrounding a dog dish
Further examples would be sight or scent hounds, bred to hunt independently by sight or smell. Pet owners should not be surprised that these dogs want to be on the move and can rarely be reliably trained to come when called or respect boundaries. They were developed to pursue, and that is what they still want to do.

Additionally, one’s lifestyle should influence the type of dog one chooses. Large, active families with children and friends in and out of the house all day would be unwise to choose a breed with strong protective tendencies. More sedate people who prefer to stay at home and be quiet should not select a very active breed.

The space available to share with a pet should also weigh in on what type of dog is desirable. A 15-acre pasture is likely wasted on a Toy Poodle but would be much appreciated by a Standard Poodle. Likewise, a studio apartment would be confining for a Newfoundland but might be just right for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Understanding what our personality traits say about us and learning what to expect from dog breeds that appeal to our tastes is an ideal way to choose a canine companion who will fit our lifestyle well.

References:

  1. Pappas, S. (2012, April 20). What Your Dog’s Breed Says About You. Animal Health Foundation. https://www.animalhealthfoundation.org/blog/2012/04/chosen-dog-breed-may-reflect-personality-traits/
  2. Cherry, K. (2023, March 11). What Are the Big 5 Personality Traits? Very Well Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/the-big-five-personality-dimensions-2795422
  3. Ionescu, A. (2022, October 11). People select their dogs according to their own personality. Earth.com. https://www.earth.com/news/people-select-their-dogs-according-to-their-own-personality/
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