We're going to the dogs

[bigdoglover]

The Daily Telegraph

EVER thought your dog was an extrovert? Well, you could be right.

A Monash University study has found dogs can be grouped into personality types that parallel human traits.

Dr Jacqui Ley, from the Animal Welfare Science Centre at Monash, found that dogs fit into five personality types - extroversion, trainability or cleverness, self-assuredness and motivation, amicability with other dogs and people and cautiousness.

"We found that when people described their dogs they tended to describe them along five personality dimensions, which have parallels with human personality models," she said.

"All of these traits go together to make up the dog, so we can describe a dog as being 'friendly' or 'grumpy', just as you would a person."


Dr Ley is looking for dog owners who can help test the dog models by filling in a questionnaire.

ANYONE wanting to take part in the study should contact Dr Ley at Monash University.