” You may not have thought about it, but the fact is that everything about your dog-its breed, size, personality, training, diet, grooming, and so on-reveals a great deal about you, for better or for worse.“

The following written content by Susan Kauffmann 

If you saw a biker dude walking a Rottweiler with a spiked leather collar, or a Coco Chanel clone with a perfectly clipped Poodle on a Shantung silk leash, you would have little difficulty seeing how those dogs were a good reflection of their owners. But what about your own dog? What kind of portrait of you does your canine companion paint? You may not have thought about it, but the fact is that everything about your dog-its breed, size, personality, training, diet, grooming, and so on-reveals a great deal about you, for better or for worse. 

1. Puppy impulsive?

Let’s start with how you got your dog. If you bought a puppy from a pet store, chances are you’re new to dogs, as most long-time dog owners are aware that responsible breeders will not sell dogs to pet stores, making the origin and breeding of a pet store pup rather questionable. It could also mean that you are impulsive (saw that doggie in the window, had to have it!), as opposed to someone who methodically researches bloodlines, show records, breeders’ reputations, etc.

Then there are those people who rescue strays or adopt dogs from shelters. These folks tend to be compassionate and are not afraid to take chances or let their emotions guide them in making decisions.

2. Purebred planner?

There are also some general differences between “purebred people” and “mutt people.” Stanley Coren, a noted psychologist and author of several popular dog books, including Why We Love the Dogs We Do, says: “In the past, purebred dogs were an issue of status. Today I would judge people who get purebreds as individuals who like to plan their lives and think ahead. The value of a purebred is that you can predict, not only what a dog will look like, but its temperament and behaviour as well.

On the other hand, people who adopt dogs from a person they know are often doing so out of caring for the person who had to give the dog up, while those who adopt dogs from a shelter often do so, in part, with the idea that they are ‘saving a life.’ Both are acting from the heart, and are probably showing a tendency to be warm and empathic.”

In addition, since one can’t really predict what a mixed-breed puppy will be like at maturity, owners of mutt puppies must be able to trust fate and be willing to take a chance. Mutt lovers may therefore be more easy going and accepting of imperfections than those who prefer purebreds.

3. Neat freak?

Another aspect of your dog that tells people something about you is its hair type and the grooming requirements that go with it. As Coren explains, “Fastidious people with neat, well-kept homes seldom have large, hairy dogs that shed. In my home, where two out of three of my dogs have long hair, we have come to accept the fact that dog hair is a condiment.” Thus, if you have a hairy, shedding dog, you are likely not terribly fussy and you don’t worry too much about being judged by others who may not share your nonchalance.

House-proud types are much more likely to get a non-shedding dog like a Poodle or a Bichon Frise. Coren adds that “People who get dogs that require special grooming, especially fancy clipping- such as Poodles-are often people who care a great deal about their own appearance and grooming.” Read more from Modern Dog

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