What Your Favorite Dog Breed Says About You – A Brief Overview
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You’ve likely heard about dog owners looking like their dogs, but what about personality? Is it possible that having a preference for a particular breed says something about you as a person?
When you consider how many breeds there are and how widely varied dogs can be, that seems quite likely. After all, if you’re a couch potato, you probably won’t be that interested in a Husky.
We used the 10 most popular dogs according to the American Kennel Club (AKC) to make this list. Bear in mind that these are generalizations that may or may not be accurate—but the results might just surprise you!
French Bulldogs
Surprisingly, the French Bulldog took the lead as the most popular breed in 2022, bumping the popular Lab from the number-one spot, which they had held for over 30 years!1
French Bulldog owners are thought to be stubborn, which is the top trait that you can see in this breed. Frenchie people also tend to be independent and strong extroverts with strong family bonds and a bit of a couch potato in their souls.
Labrador Retrievers
The Lab is the second most popular breed due to their easygoing and happy nature. You can expect Lab owners to be social people that are smart yet easily distracted.
They are also dependable and enjoy spending time in the great outdoors. But overall, they love hanging around at home and spending time with friends and family.
Golden Retrievers
Loving the Golden Retriever can mean being a people person. Golden owners love getting to know other people and are generally agreeable, easygoing, and patient. They are good at making other people feel at ease.
They are also quick to make someone feel better when they are down and are capable of loving life passionately.
German Shepherds
German Shepherd owners are likely active and sporty and take their work seriously. They are social and more extroverted when they are with their close friends but can be quite confident in general.
One thing to bear in mind when around German Shepherd owners is that they can be friendly, but there might be a bit of a fierceness underneath!
Poodles
Poodles come in three different sizes—standard, miniature, and toy—and there are minor temperament differences. But all Poodle lovers tend to be athletic, smart, and extroverted. They are definitely outgoing and chatty people—the life of the party!
English Bulldogs
The English Bulldog is relatively similar to the French Bulldog, and they also have a stubborn trait. They enjoy life and can be silly but are persistent and won’t give up easily.
Bulldog owners also tend to be conscientious and dutiful and generally prefer to have schedules and routines.
Rottweilers
Rottweiler lovers tend to be as intense as the breed. They are confident and courageous people who are quite devoted to their family and friends. They can be leaders too—they will step in and take charge if the situation arises.
They are active and insightful, can be open to new experiences, and try to make people feel at ease. Just don’t get them angry!
Beagles
Beagle lovers are curious and inquisitive and enjoy learning about the world around them. They tend to be quite open to new experiences and can even be mischievous at times.
Beagle lovers are not overly emotional; they tend to be calm and cool. They are also amazing friends!
Dachshunds
Lovers of the Dachshund tend to be as brave and stubborn as the breed. This means when they want something, they won’t give up until they have it! They might have bossy moments, but like Beagle owners, they can be calm and not overly emotional.
Sometimes their courage can lead to acting as though they are invincible. Since Dachshunds love digging, owners might enjoy gardening too.
German Shorthaired Pointers
Owners and lovers of Pointers tend to be active and athletic and love being outside. They are brave and motivated and can easily get excited but then become bored if they are stuck in a rut.
They can be quite agreeable and empathetic. They care about people’s feelings and try to make them more comfortable.
Mixed Breeds
The mixed breed might not be on the AKC’s top 10 list, but so many people own mixed breeds that we would be remiss if we didn’t talk about them.
Mixed-breed owners tend to be open-minded and fun-loving and don’t necessarily believe in rigid rules. They prefer to take things as they come and don’t sweat the small stuff.
To Sum Things Up
- Extroverted breeds: These are pastoral and utility breeds. Pastoral breeds are sheepdogs, Corgis, heelers, and collies. Utility breeds are bulldogs, Schnauzers, Dalmatians, Poodles, and Shar-Peis.
- Agreeable breeds: These are gundogs and toy dogs. Gundogs are setters, pointers, Weimaraners, spaniels, and retrievers. Toy breeds are Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas, and Pomeranians.
- Conscientious breeds: These are represented mainly by utility breeds. Other breeds in this category are Chow Chows and Boston Terriers.
- Emotionally stable breeds: These breeds tend to be hounds, including Beagles, Foxhounds, Dachshunds, Greyhounds, Whippets, and Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
- Open personality breeds: These are toy breeds too, along with Pugs and Pekingese.
- Agreeable and open breeds: These breeds fall into the terrier and working dog The terriers include Border Terriers, Cairn Terriers, Bull Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. Working dogs are Great Danes, Rottweilers, St. Bernards, Boxers, Portuguese Water Dogs, and Mastiffs.
Final Thoughts
Now you have a much better idea of what your favorite dog tells you about your personality! Of course, these generalizations are probably accurate for some people, but not for all.
An active, outgoing extrovert might be more inclined to own a Golden Retriever, and a quiet, introverted person might be happiest with a Basset Hound. Still, it’s no coincidence that the breed that you like best will likely have a similar personality.
Featured Image Credit: Sbolotova, Shutterstock
