Dogs: Are You a Dog Person?

Are You a Dog Person?
The Dog Daily

Are You a Dog Person?
Dog Person

According to research conducted by a psychologist from University of Texas at Austin, there really are dog people and cat people, with notable qualities distinct in each type.

The study, published in the journal Anthrozoos, found that individuals who define themselves as dog people are more extraverted, more agreeable and more conscientious than self-described cat people.

Fans of felines, on the other hand, were found to be more neurotic, but also more open than their canine-loving counterparts.

Project leader Sam Gosling says, “There is a widely held cultural belief that the pet species -- dog or cat -- with which a person has the strongest affinity says something about the individual's personality.” He adds, “Given the tight psychological connections between people and their pets, it is likely that the differences between dogs and cats may be suited to different human personalities.”

It remains an open question, however, whether the pet takes on certain aspects of the owner’s personality and lifestyle, or if owners tend to select a pet that matches their own attributes. All of these factors probably come into play.