What Your Favorite Dog Breed Reveals About Your Personality
Learn what your favorite dog breed reveals about your personality traits in this summary of breeds and traits! Your favorite dog breed reveals your personality traits, according to Dogology: What Your Relationship With Your Dog Reveals About You.
Before the dog tips, a quip:
“There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face,” said Ben Williams.
Unless, of course, you think dog spit is gross. This book reveals how our behavior with our dogs reveals our personality traits…and how our favorite dog breeds reveal our personality strengths and weaknesses. Read Dogology: What Your Relationship with Your Dog Reveals about You for more info.
And, check out this summary of what your favorite dog breed reveals about your personality!
What Your Favorite Dog Breed Reveals About Your Personality
“Our relationships with our dogs tend to be so unconscious, so bare, and so basic,” write Vicki Croke and Sarah Wilson in Dogology. “Our relationships with our dogs are so much simpler than with fellow humans and less muddied by commentary and feedback about our own behavior and choices…[thus], we’re much less self-conscious when we interact with our dogs.”
If your favorite dog breed is a Retriever or Spaniel (Labradors, Goldens, Labradoodles, American Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels, etc) then your personality traits are:
- Family-focused
- Fun-loving and social
- Easygoing
- Active lifestyle
- Positive perspective, with an “open door” policy at home
If your favorite dog breed is a Pointer or Setter (English Pointers, Weimaraners, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, Irish Setters, English Setters, etc), then your personality traits are:
- Passionate and determined
- Energetic and motivated
- Lover of luxuries
- Rugged (you’ll hike all day!)
If your favorite dog breed is a Scent Hound (Beagle, Basset, Bloodhound, Foxhound, etc), then your personality traits are:
- Determined and focused
- Intense, even relentless
- Funny
- Lover of food
If your favorite dog breed is a Sight Hound (Greyhound, Whippet, Borzoi, Irish Wolfhound, etc), then your personality traits are:
- Relaxed and introverted
- Quiet
- Lover of small groups and close friends
- Organized
If your favorite dog breed is a Terrier, then your personality traits are:
- Fun-loving and funny
- Determined and focused
- Energetic
- Talkative and versatile
- Rough- and-tumble
What do you think — does your favorite dog breed reveal anything about your personality traits? Or, are the authors of Dogology in the doghouse? 
If you’re a new dog owner, read How to Bond With Your Dog – Tips for New Dog Owners.
And, here’s some pet advice for people who’ve lost their dogs and wonder if it’s time to adopt a new one…Should I Get Another Dog After My Dog Died?
Category: Dogs & Doggy Care Tips, Pet Care Tips
Where is the pug??!?!
Hi Laurie,
I have a Rottie/ English Springer cross and an American Staffordshire Bull Terrior. What does that say about me?
I have a newfoundland called spike and a siberean husky named sydney; my brother has a siberean husky named Ice
I wonder what you have to say about that…
Hi Megan,
I’m not sure about Pomeranians, but I think dobermans are dogs that say lots about their owners’ personalities….
Dobermans are determined, fearless, and highly intelligent. They’re devoted and watchful — and very strong. If you like dobermans, then you have to share at least some of those qualities. At the very least, you admire those traits!
If your favorite dog breed is a doberman, then you’re assertive enough to be able to discipline such a strong, protective dog. You’re loyal and affectionate, and people-oriented (an extrovert?).
What do you think?
Laurie
I love Dobermans and Pomernainans. My house just dosen’t seem complet without one of each I would have nothing else. They each have so much character, and are always sassy (got to love it right). My doberman Marcus is also very cat like loves sun, always plays with his paws, and can never be dirty he is so funny. I was wondering what that said about me?
“If your dog likes you, do not get a second opinion!” Your dog can like you unconditionally……. People can take a lesson here.
Thanks for your comments — it’s great to hear how close you are to your dogs! They really do add alot of love, fun, and comfort to our lives.
We have dogs that were throwaways. How someone could throw Lucky and Precious away, I don’t understand. Lucky is our 12 year old Black Lab/Pit Bull mix and he is such a love. Precious is our 3 year old Black Lab/Border Collie mix. She lives up to her name. She really is precious. And, both Lucky and Precious have their very distinct personalities and are both wonderfully funny at times. Maybe we did not rescue them. THEY RESCUED US from a very mudane life!
People don’t always pick their dogs because they are like them because many people have no idea what the breed is really about until they have one. I obtained my first Rottweiller by accident and now that my second one is eight years old, I would have nothing else. They are wonderful dogs who seem to pick one person to be his or her favorite. My dog is my camping partner(we often go to the wilderness with just the two of us and a gun, of course). He sleeps at the foot of my bed in the house and when we are camping, he demands that I go to bed when he is tired. We take care of each other.
I would say those are good. But what about herding dogs? I have 2 Australian Cattle Dogs.
Hi Karren,
Wow – it sounds like you have your hands full with all those beloved pets! I wonder what that says about your personality traits? Perhaps that you’re loving, kind, welcoming, compassionate, and adventurous (for taking them on your trucking trips!).
Thanks for sharing, you made my day
Laurie
BY the way all 5 2 female dogs 2 male cats and 1 female cat co exist and get along with each other every day. They share my bed and sleep together on the floor or a chair . Too bad people couldn’t get along as well as thesse animals do. I consider them my second family of children. Or in this case my of family period.
I have had many pets over the years. I personally have never purchased any, they seem o pick me. The 15 yr old cat came from a truck wash in Castaic, ca as a street kitten. His name is Kat Kat. Tiffany also 15yrs old is half Palmeranian and chihuaha. Got her at a truck stop in South Carolina from breeders who where afraid they would lose their license. She is an expensive breed now with a name. Chikita is a minnpinn whose owners abused her. she is I guess about 7 or 8. Sammy another cat about the same age came from a restaurant parking lot out of San Diego. Blue Eyes was abandenned by her owners who where evicted from a trailor court. She is a Burmese cat.All except Blue Eyes have traveled around the country while I was a truck driver. They now guard my bedridden mother who is a stroke victim and show their love affection and loyalty to us everyday
Interesting new research on how the 3 distinct ways people see and treat their dogs:
Some dogs are revered or pampered, with fancy clothes and loads of affection; others work for a living. David Blouin, a cultural sociologist at Indiana University South Bend, said relationships between dogs and their owners generally fall into three distinct categories, with some bestowing more canine benefits than others.
And while some dogs may live the high life, serving as surrogate children to their humans, their circumstances can change depending on their owner’s life course and experiences.
Dog ownership attitudes fell into three categories: Humanist, where dogs were highly valued and considered close companions, like pseudo people; protectionists might be vegetarians and they greatly valued animals in general, not just as pets; dominionists saw animals as separate and less important than people, often using the dogs for hunting and pest control and requiring them to live outdoors.
Blouin said the distinct orientations toward animals were informed by multiple, competing cultural logics as well as personal experiences, demographic characteristics and family structure. Rural dog owners were more likely to leave their pets outside, for example. Empty-nesters seemed to be the most attached to their pets.
Blouin is presenting his findings at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association.
Shih Tzus are SO cute! They’re an ancient companion dog, originating in China.
What does this type of dog say about your personality traits? First of all, did you know that “Shih Tzu” means lion — which means that despite their cute little appearance, they’re quite proud and not afraid to stand up for themselves.
People who like Shih Tzus are usually friendly, alert, and trusting. As companion animals, Shih Tzus are outgoing, happy, and affectionate…and people who like Shih Tzus may have many of those personality traits, as well. Sweet and playful, too!
If you own a Shih Tzu, does this represent you?
what about shihtsu?
Thanks! I think you are right on point. This is a fun page and I enjoy your posts. I am in school for Psychology and we like to compare and research things like this. I LOVE YOUR PAGE! By the way I feel terrible that I did not mention the Aussie’s name is Justice.
Thanks again for such a prompt response.
Ann
Well, Ann, one thing you and your doberman have in common is a high energy level — I could tell that right away from your comment! Maybe the reason you like dobermans so much is because you have similar intense, high energy levels.
And, you and your doberman share the “conversational” personality trait! Like you said above, you could go on and on about Diablo — and he likes to talk, too.
Dobermans are determined, fearless, and highly intelligent. They’re devoted and watchful — and very strong. If you like dobermans, then you have to share at least some of those qualities. At the very least, you admire those traits!
If your favorite dog breed is a doberman, then you’re assertive enough to be able to discipline such a strong, protective dog. You’re loyal and affectionate, and people-oriented (an extrovert?).
An Australian Shepard is a herding dog — similar to a terrier (the traits are above). If that’s your husband’s favorite dog breed, then he might be determined, focused, and have a need to be active. Herding dogs (and perhaps your husband?) need to have something to do, a job to do. They’re also very intelligent.
An interesting thing is that people might choose their favorite dogs based on traits they admire or wish they had — not those they actually do have. The authors of Dogology are approaching it from the “if you like those dog breeds, then these are your personality traits” angle….but I think it could get a little more complicated than that. It’s fun matching human personality traits with dog breeds, though!
Thanks for being here — and have fun with Diablo and the shepard.
Laurie
I LOVE my doberman! I have had two of this breed and they have to be my fav.!! My Diablo is almost 8 years old now. He knows all basic commands and some special tricks too. He can speak on command and will howl with you. LOL! He knows how to “drop it”. Oh I could go on and on. So I was wondering what a doberman says about me. My husband just got a Australian Shepard and I am also curious about that.
Ann
I recently came across your blog and have been reading alot of it. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. I will keep visiting this blog very often!
Betty
Yup, the basic point of Dogology is that our favorite types of dog breeds reflect our personalities and lifestyles.
What’s your favorite dog?
You got me on the Ben Williams question. There are several famous guys with that name (and American author, a British soccer player, etc) — I’m not sure who exactly “There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.”
So the basic point of this book is that we are drawn to living creatures that mesh with our lifestyles and personalities?
Also, who is Ben Williams?
My one and only favorite is a Newfy. Or Newfoundland. So awesome!
Wow, thanks for answering the question I asked. You asked does it jive with me? Well, they are very smart (Thats me). The poddles are in the Bathroom at night being they don’t seem to be “outside” dogs, and I don’t want them out at night, being they are like my little son’s that I don’t have. I believed God for two of them being I didn’t want to separate one from the other. I never thought about them probably having other sis’ & bro’ until I actually found a lady that invited me to her “Beautiful” home in the “Kendall Hammocks” in South Miami, and their were 5′ in all. Lucky for me Two were her own, and one of the baby poddles where white with a spot around the white she wanted to keep that one. Shes spanish and thought that one fits her. So, anyway I walked in with my daughters and the two puppies came running to me. I absolutely Love them sooo much. I didn’t have the heart break of feeling like I was leaving one and taking the others. She had giving away all the pup’ she before I met her (God knows the desires of my heart~hes such a Good Husband to me). Anyway, they are in the Bathroom at night, and have a cute little bed that I got from WM that they Love. They jump in the Tub to use the bathroom (seeing my daughters use the bathroom has inspired them too,also LOL) They are very intelligent and Loves company. Your right! They have no favorites. Although they do think that I’m their mom. If I walk in a room and they see me they jumps up from whom ever their with and run to me. After I Love of them, they go back to who ever they were with. Who ever pays them the attention, gets the attention. They are put on the balcony alot during the day time, until the girls come from school. So, around a certain time they know they coming they work on the screen door (tore the screen up till I had to place a big card board their when their out of the balcony) and eventually gets in. They also, have made a whole at the bottom of the think card board putting their paw in it, then finally after alot of effort, pulling the card board out enough to give them a crack in-between the door post to get in the house. Wow! They are determined like me also! They are potty trainned yet, if allowed to be on the living room carpet they may go on it. I’m trainning them in small spaces for now. But, anyway back to the balconies screen door. Since they’ve torn the screen of the balcony door and the card board that I placed their to help keep them from getting through the now “Big” hole, they have learned to go on the side of the screen door and pull the rubber that made of the side of the screen door, in-order to pull the entire door (slide the door open) while the other puppy “Adolpho” works on knocking the New Card Board down….I believe me with persistance they get the Job done. I need to change the more “eager” poddles name to “persistance” instead of “Adonis”. I just wanted to tell you that you are so right about poddles. Oh, I also like to rest up after I ran errands for my self, family, house chores or Ministrying and cleaning the church. They fit me! I learned this from reading your comment to me, that they fit my “personality”. I’ve always wanted a poddle. Don’t quite know why. Are they house dogs? Do a dog ever know not to go in the house or on the carpet? I was told they are “Russian Poddles”. Are their such a breed? I checked it out on the internet, and found one thing. It showed some circus “Russian Poddles”. My poddles looks different from the normal breed. How do I know? Oh, why do one of the poddles I have get on top of the other one as if hes trying to mate with him? Is this normal behavior? They were outside playing with another pup (different breed of pup) and they both did this to the pup. It was a boy dog??? Do I have “Gay” pups. lol Is there an less inexpensive why to find out? Thanks so much for answering my comment. It really helped and I appreciate your time, that you’ve given me. God Bless You!
Your comment about cats and dogs is hilarious
It reminds me of the old saying: “Dogs have masters. Cats have staff.”
Thanks for commenting!