Research Proves Your Dog Has a Unique Personality!

Your furry friend probably does things that make you believe they could be a human. You can tell when they are happy or sad, and can even understand when you are talking to them. Every dog has their own personality that makes them unique, just like you. So, how are dog personalities studied?

Is Personality Different from Temperament?

While some use the terms interchangeably, they are different. Temperament is the basic tendencies an individual has that influence behavior. However, personality is the combination of characteristics and temperament with their interaction with the environment. In other words, personality comes from individual experiences.

How is Personality Evaluated?

While a dog can’t hold a pen to answer a questionnaire, there are other methods to collect research. Generally, owners fill out questionnaires on their dog’s behalf based on their observations of their pal’s personality. The Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire ask the owners to use a 5-point scale to describe how their dog may react in different situations. There are other observational tests to determine a dog’s personality too. Additionally, the “big five” personality model analyzes a dog’s sociability, playfulness, chase-proneness, aggressiveness, and curiosity/fearfulness.

Can I Predict My Dog’s Personality?

There is no one-to-one relationship between personality and dog breed. There are breed characteristics that are relevant, but they are not the sole determinant of personality. Current tests have low predictive value for future behavior and personality. However, personality characteristics observed in older dogs are more established over time. Your four-legged friend has a unique personality that no other dog has. While it is almost impossible to predict your pup’s personality, breed characteristics influence this a bit. However, as your pal grows and develops, their personality becomes steadier. But knowing your pal is special and unique is nothing new to you! They will always be our best friends and closest companions.