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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by papillon2 on November 13, 2012, at 21:33:25
... and owners are like their dogs!
No, not in looks (well, not always), but in personality traits such as neuroticism, extraversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness.
Here's a link to the study: http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/applan/article/S0168-1591(12)00178-5/abstract
You can read the (short, easy to understand) abstract for free.I'm trying to focus on the fact that my dog is very loyal, empathetic and a total sweetheart, but he's also quite neurotic and prone to anxiety, with a tendency to snap at other people when stressed. Oh boy!
We're both generally slow to warm up to and trust other people (openness), but once we do we're a friend for life. Our energy levels are pretty similar too. We either border on comatose or have a lot of energy which we try to get out all at once!
How are you like your dog? Don't forget to share the good things!
Posted by Phillipa on November 14, 2012, at 8:54:15
In reply to Study shows dogs are like their owners, posted by papillon2 on November 13, 2012, at 21:33:25
My pups are sweethearts and wouldn't hurt a fly. They are empathetic and tune in to any mood in the home. Not allowed to raise voice or even allude to a fight with husband or they get upset. Only bark when someone strange is around me. Sleep in bed with me. Have to hand feed one as she likes it while other sits on husbands lap and he gets some of what other gets. Separate diets as one is or was in need of some weight loss. My poodle looks like me as has curly hair. They are just sweet and kind and lovers of people and other dogs. Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on November 14, 2012, at 10:22:58
In reply to Study shows dogs are like their owners, posted by papillon2 on November 13, 2012, at 21:33:25
It doesn't surprise me. I can't handle dominant dogs at all, so my dogs tend to come from the submissive, agreeable, and occasionally neurotic breeds.
Not that I'm actually all that submissive or agreeable...
Of my current dogs, neurotic is definitely represented. As is loyal and devoted. I have a definite preference for one person dogs over dogs who love everyone. Even my hounds of the past, who aren't usually thought of as devoted to anyone, actually were one person or one family dogs. They just showed devotion differently. They weren't particularly agreeable in the sense of being obedient or eager to please, but weren't dominant either and they could love as fiercely as a sheepdog. I'm like that, I suppose. Once I attach, I attach for good.
My special favorites have been both introverted and mildly extroverted one man dogs, both neurotic and not at all neurotic. Their strongest common characteristics were intelligence and self confidence combined with a strongish will and a love of life. To a large extent, they appealed to me both because we were similar and because they provided things I was lacking. I need their zest for life to lend spice to my life. I also enjoyed watching their self confidence and will, since it was unaccompanied by dominance.
As dogs go, I prefer the ones like sheepdogs best. Sweetness accompanied by liveliness.
But I'm most like a sighthound. Devoted and loyal, but with greater distance and need for solitude and independence.
Enough similarities to make us in sympathy with one another, but enough differences to add something to my life.
Perhaps the reason they're similarly neurotic is because we can sympathize with flaws we share more than flaws we don't share? I have sympathy for a frightened dog in a way I just don't have with an aggressive dog. I prefer a sensitive dog, aware of everything around them, to a stolidly insensitive dog because I understand the former better than the latter? When I think back, sensitivity is one thing sheepdogs and sighthounds definitely share.
Posted by gadchik on November 14, 2012, at 15:29:37
In reply to Study shows dogs are like their owners, posted by papillon2 on November 13, 2012, at 21:33:25
My dog is small,feisty,and neurotic,not unlike someone very close to me: me!
Posted by 10derheart on November 21, 2012, at 0:44:56
In reply to Re: Study shows dogs are like their owners » papillon2, posted by Dinah on November 14, 2012, at 10:22:58
>>and they could love as fiercely as a sheepdog. I'm like that, I suppose. Once I attach, I attach for good.
So - at times - damnably true. You and me both. It's a way of being that's a blessing and a huge curse.
A curse especially when the object of lifetime loyalty and fierce, pure love decides they couldn't possibly care less. Ah, but I digress....
Posted by Dinah on November 25, 2012, at 10:13:01
In reply to Re: Study shows dogs are like their owners » Dinah, posted by 10derheart on November 21, 2012, at 0:44:56
That *is* the curse of the sheepdog. We're surrounded by all sorts of other dogs.
FWIW, I don't think it's that he couldn't care less. The history reveals a fair amount of caring. It's more that he didn't care as much as you needed.
This is the end of the thread.
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