What your dog says about you
It’s not on unfounded truths that the saying goes: “dogs look like their owners”. According to popular research, a main reason for the dog owner facial resemblance is the so-called ‘mere exposure effect’, belonging to the idea that a man may choose a dog which looks similar to themselves due to the human preference for the familiar.
Aside from physical attributes, there are visible personality traits and common themes that occur in relation to certain breeds and their owners. It is with this in mind that we are able to draw certain stereotypes as to what a man’s dog might say about him…
LABRADOR, RETRIEVER, SPANIEL, TERRIER
Screaming of traditionalism, owners of these dogs are most likely the red-trouser wearing, Chelsea-dwelling (with a place in the country for weekends, obviously) type of man. As at home on the shooting field as he is on the King’s Road, this man probably grew up with an AGA and an endless supply of battered Barbour jackets and Hunter wellies.
STAFFIE, PITBALL, BULLDOG
A gym-junkie, Vodka Revolution loving type of man, the owner of these dogs often resembles his pets muscular physique and solid stance. Although his bark is worse than his bite, this brash demeanour is all part of the look and he’s most likely a gentle giant at heart.
PUG, FRENCH BULLDOG
The most in vogue of breeds at present, the type of man to own one of these dogs can been found drinking craft beers or artisan coffee in a trendy East London hangout, or at his friend’s latest art gallery pop-up with a vintage camera hanging off one shoulder and his model girlfriend on the offer.
CHIHUAHUA, POMERANIAN, SHIH TZUS
Like a snappy armpit piranha, these dogs and others of a similar vein might look sweet from a distance, but unless irony is his middle name, a man owning one of these dogs can only mean one thing – his girlfriend chose the puppy.
ROTWEILER, DOBERMAN, GERMAN SHEPHERD
These larger dogs appeal to the male ego in ways that the toy variety never will. Like men who drive fast cars or flash their cash like it’s nobody’s business, owners of these breeds might just be trying to make up for something else…
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