Like dog, like master

A paper presented at British Psychological Society finds that dog breeds reflect certain facets of their owners’ personalities. Now, we know that a man is known by the company he keeps and we would definitely like to spend most of our time with people who share our traits. So do the pets we choose resonate with who we are in real and are these choices conscious ones?  We leave that for you to decide as we dig into the lives of famous celebrities and their four-legged companions...

Agreeable breeds
Gundog and Toy breed owners are highest on agreeableness

What is agreeableness? Agreeableness is a trait that makes people easy to get along with. Agreeable people sympathise with others, care about their feelings and try to make other people feel at ease



Representative breeds: Gundogs include Spaniels and Retrievers of all sorts, as well as Setters, Pointers and Weimaraners. Toy dogs include Yorkshire terriers, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas



Famous owners: Actor Arjun Rampal and designer Nachiket Barve own Labrador, Gwyneth Paltrow owns a Labrador Retriever, and Jennifer Aniston owns a Golden Retriever. Sir Isaac Newton owned a Pomeranian, and Paris Hilton owns multiple Chihuahuas

Extroverted pups
Pastoral and utility breeds score highest on extroversion

What is extroversion? An extrovert is someone who is outgoing, talkative and the ‘life of the party’

Representative Breeds: Pastoral breeds include Collies, Sheepdogs, Heelers and Corgis. Utility breeds include Dalmatians, Bulldogs, Poodles, Schnauzers and Shar Peis



Famous Owners: Actor Adam Sandler owns a Bulldog, as did Winston Churchill. Actor Chris Evans owns a German Shepherd. The Queen of England owns a Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Emotional quotient
Hound dog owners have the highest emotional stability

What is emotional stability? It’s the opposite of neuroticism, a trait marked by anxiety. Irritation and stress. People low in neuroticism are calm, cool and collected



Representative breeds: Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Foxhounds, Beagles, Dachshunds, Whippets and Greyhounds



Famous owners: George Washington owned a Foxhound. Lyndon B Johnson owned a Beagle. Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas owns two Dachshunds

Conscientious canines
Utility dog owners are the most conscientious



What is conscientiousness? People who are conscientious are dutiful and self-disciplined. They like order and schedules
Representative breeds: Utility breeds include Dalmatians, Bulldogs, Poodles, Schnauzers, Shar Peis, Chow-chows and Boston Terriers



Famous owners: Mariah Carey owns a Shih Tzu, part of this category. Warren G Harding owned a Boston Terrier, as did Gerald Ford and Helen Keller. Martha Stewart owns and shows Chow-chows

Creative spirits
Toy dog owners are the most open

What is openness: People with open personalities are intelligent, open to new experiences and appreciative of art



Representative breeds: Toy dogs include Yorkshire terriers, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Pekingese and Pugs



Famous owners: Stand-up comedian Vir Das owns a Pug, and so does fashion designer Valentino. Natalie Portman, Paris Hilton, Alyson Hannigan and Lindsay Lohan all own Yorkies

The risk takers
Working dog owners score high in agreeableness and openness

What’s that: People with such personalities are smart, ready to take chances and have a creative side to their personality



Representative breeds: Portuguese water dogs, Great Danes, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, St Bernards and Boxers



Famous owners: Justin Timberlake owns a Boxer. President Obama owns a Portuguese water dog. Jim Carey and Abhishek Bachchan own a Great Dane and Will Smith owns a Rottweiler