Dogs and their Owners
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My previous Hub was about dogs and the possibility of them having a sixth sense. It received pretty good traffic and generated some good comments. Thinking about this, I decided to do another Hub about dogs and their owners.
Have you ever considered how people choose their pets and what characteristic they look for in their pets? Is it that they try to emulate their own characteristics in their pets? I have seen some really close relationships with their canine friends and some even look like them. I read some time ago that people take on the look of their animals, especially their dogs. You may have seen similar cases like this, but some pictures can say a thousand words. Hopefully you will enjoy them as much as I did.
The University of California San Diego psychologist confirmed this curiosity in 2004, for people who choose purebred dogs. The researchers collected 45 pictures of dogs and their owners, taken separately with differing backgrounds, and had 28 undergrad judges try to match the owners with their real dogs based on resemblance. Out of 25 pedigreed breeds there were 16 strong matches with their owners – who looked strikingly like their dogs! Among the mutts, resemblance to their owners was not correlated.
Once the researchers had paired the randomized photographs, the high incidence of resemblance between purebreds and their owners led the psychologists to conclude that it’s the owner’s fault – people choosing a purebred dog tend to choose the dog that most resembles themselves.
Researchers found that members of the public could predict which breed of dog a person would own almost twice as accurately as they should be able to, just by looking at a photograph of their owners.
Volunteers rightly connected poodles, Labradors and Staffordshire bull terriers with their masters.
There were a number of physical reasons why owners looks suggested which dog they would have, including what clothes they wore and their build, said Dr Lance Workman, from Bath Spa University.
The tests also showed that overall the dog owners were nicer or "more agreeable" than the general population, the only major personality difference the study found.
Psychologists asked 70 people to match 41 dog owners, found through the Kennel Club, to their breeds.
They were correct between 50 and 60 per cent of the time, when chance suggested that they should have a success rate of around 33 per cent.
The volunteers were shown full-length pictures of the owners, mainly photographed in their own homes.
The team behind the study decided to look at Staffordshire bull terriers because the breed has had a lot of negative publicity in recent years, while they were interested to discover if poodles attracted more "sophisticated" owners and Labradors were considered to be a "neutral" breed.
The findings were presented at the British Psychological Society annual conference in Brighton.
Now I hope I don’t fall into this category as my dog is much prettier than I am and a lot smarter too. Sometimes I have to wonder who the PET in this household is. Hope you enjoy the pictures.
Do Dogs have a sixth sense?
- Do Dogs have a Sixth Sense?
I was reading an article today about the Haiti Earthquake and it was devastating to say the least. Who knows how many people have died and are missing under the rubble of toppled buildings? During my search...
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ehern,
I had heard that people look like their pets, but I had no idea there had been scientific research done to affirm this phenomena.
Ehern
I also believe dogs tell a lot about people; for instance George W. Bush brought a Springer Spaniel named Spot to the White House. This breed's coat only comes in a single color combination of white with red markings; they are loyal and affectionate; they become much attached to family members and are wary of strangers. They are a working dog, bred for hunting!
King Hussein the First purchased a Portuguese water dog and named him Bo. This is a relatively rare breed!
Thus Bush goes with solid, ordinary and chooses a common well established American Name for his “working dog”. On the other hand in order to keep up the façade; just look how extraordinary this individual really is that we chose as our first Monarch in American History, King Hussein chooses a Rare Breed of a dog.
Bush names his dog Spot; after the characteristics of his coat; the King names his dog Bo; what’s a Bo?
Dogs do reflect a lot about their owners!
Excellent, entertaining hub! I had an e-mail not too long ago that had probably 15 to 20 pictures like this, I thought maybe air brushed pictures but since there was a study they were probably real. I don't guess I'm as pretty as a Rottweiler but I think we have a lot in common. Good job!
Well, I like your picture (hope that's you at the top of the hub!)
I adopted a salt and pepper miniature schnauzer last year. At a pet adoption event, she was with a group of schnauzers who needed homes, and I thought she was the cutest. I, too, have salt and pepper hair. I fuss over Meadow's coat, and get annoyed when that pesky undercoat starts showing through.
Smart people pick smart dogs. I also have a poodle. LOL
Interesting info - thanks. I have to admit I hope I don't look like my two Cocker kids -- those ears, you know! Best, Sis
dohn, thanks for the visit. I took your advice to create a link. Glad you enjoyed it and don't get to close to your sisters dog, we wouldn't want you to look like her dog either..LOL
Thanks my friend, enjoy your visits.
Tom, seems like there is a study for everything now-a-days. Thanks for coming by today. I wonder if any of these studies was funded by the stimulus package and we are paying for it.
partison, you are on to something here. The study did show that people often look for personal characteristic in their pets and this could be the case. As for the name BO (Barack Obama) is a little over the top. Thanks for the visit, I appreciate it.
50 Cal, thanks for visiting my friend. I have seen other pictures that make you think if it is true or not. I can see that you may indeed share some of the characteristics of your Rottweiler. Maybe not as pretty but tenacious, committed, loyal, caring, etc.. Not bad qualities in my book.
gracenotes, I appreciate you coming by and reading. No, that is not my picture although I do have salt and pepper hair as well, but not as much hair.. LOL
I have a combo Labrador/Australian Cattle Dog which are suppose to be very smart and worker dogs. If that is the case, she is smarter than I am.. ;o)
Angela, based on your hubs and some of the situations you get yourself into, I am not sure what dog shares your characterisitcs.. LOL You are a trip and fun loving and enjoy your stories so no matter what, you will still have a fan here.. even with the ears..
Ehern, This is a great hub. I have heard before that dogs look like their owners and there have been times I've seen that, but those pictures were great. Thumbs up!
beautiful hub, Like father like son hehe, I like that you have a research to support the claim, but even though there is no evidence scientifically, I can see it anywhere hehe, it is really like father like son LOL< I am smiled at the pictures hehe..
I am glad youre back and youre ok, YEHEY, Good job again, Maita
Pamela, thanks for coming by and reading. I know what you mean. I have seen many photos that I thought were doctored but I guess their is more to this than meets the eye.
Maita, thanks for visiting like always and for your good wishes. I too am happy to be back and a little more involved. I still have to take it slow on this computer but it will get back to normal soon. Glad you enjoyed this and do you have any pets? I have two dogs and they better looking than I am..LOL
hi ehern, I have one cat here, but she doenst want to look like me, I am glad youre really back, love all the pics here, I said it again hehe, Happy weekend, Two dogs, bet they are also handsome like you YEHEY, SMILE --- Maita
maita, you are too much to handle.. LOL Not totally back yet but getting better every day. Will have to catch up when 100%. ;o)
I just came to say, how are you, Take care, and thank you! maita
Hiya, I was getting my hub checking muddled up, and thought I had read this one! duh! I remember when I was about ten years old, down the local park, they always had a dog contest, and one year they did do the one about, do you look like your pet? I didn't win that one, I had a poodle cross something or other at the time!, but I did win the one the dog with the waggiest tail!! well, not me, but the dog!, I think.....lol cheers nell
I was reading Ms Nell commenst and I smiled, hehe! I just came to see if you have a new hub, and say Hi, Maita
I enjoyed your Hub very much. The photos you provided are uncanny! Excellent work.
hahahaah!!! I loved this one my sister owns three cocker spaniels absolutely adorable! I am going to have to see now if she resembles them. lololo I know my neighbor resembles her Rottweiler to a 'T' but you didn't her it from me. :D
Sir ehern, this is the link, this is the correct link Sir, my other account is alexandriaruthk thank you! I hope you can read this before wednesday March 31 12 pm. thank you thank you!
Hi Nell, sorry for the delay. Been away and having trouble catching up. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.You are a trip, always enjoy your comments and puts a smaile on my face, or confusion; not sure which one yet.. LOL Love your sense of humor.
Maita, thanks for coming by again. I have been really busy and away. It seems I will never catch up again. I am going to try but can't sit here long enough to make a dent. I am fine and thanks for your concern. You are a sweetheart.
James, it is always a pleasure when you visit and inspirational. As always thanks for your kind words, it really means alot to me.
Whiteorchids, sorry it took so long to answer. You always have that perfect timing in your writing to make me smile. Thanks for coming by, I missed that sibling thing you share with me (don't tell your sister I said this).. LOL
Maita, I am a little confused about this. I haven't been around for a while and don't know the meaning of this. Hopefully you will visit again and clarify this.
I love dogs but I haven't had one since I was a kid. Maybe this explains why...I haven't been able to find one that looks like me!
i have a courgie and i love her to death but i havent had a dog befroe and i really need some advice on nail trimming
I wish I were still as athletic as my doggies are! Enjoyed this mucho!!
mulberry1, that is to funny. Thanks for coming by and for the delay. To busy lately to have a little fun here.
spriteaddict04, thanks for the comment. Not an expert on nail trimming by far so I usually have an experienced person do it.
habee, I know what you mean. I can't keep up as much as I did. Seems they look at me and wonder why I don't play with them as much.
I am amazed by your research facts. And the pictures were just delightful!
frogyfish, glad you enjoyed it. Just a little fun and curiosity to fill up a mostly dull day.. LOL
Good to hear from you again ehern, Take care always, Maita
Maita, thanks. I appreciate it. Still very busy but gradually you will see me more around here.
Funny! lolololo I believe I don't look like our pets, but as affectionate as they are, I would say I fit in that category. Great read! :)
whiteorchids, thanks for coming by. I think we all fit into one category or another with our loving pets. Glad you enjoyed it. Hope everything is going well for you.
I guess we choose dogs like we choose partners and friends in life - we look for similarities somewhere. Great that some research has been done into this and I loved your pictures!
I'm now going back to my profile and my doggie hubs to look for the similarities between me and my poochies.
Looks like you're getting good traffic from this one too. Am rating it up and following you.
Georgina_writes, I agree with you that we may look for similarities in our pets. Something that we can identify with, even at a subconcious level. I appreciate you rating the hub and for the follow. Will be visiting you soon and try to catch some of your work as well. Thanks.
I love your article. Yes all those pictures do speak a thousand words, I have 4 dogs so I am going to download their pictures, get a picture of myself and when you recieve it you will know which one I think I look like!
Mrs. J.B., looking forward to seeing your pets. Thought it would be a fun article.
Well as a 101 computer student who has no clue as to what they are doing and trust me I don't, my daughter helps me download photos but she is still mad at me since I caught her ex boyfriend in our house on Saturday morning at 7 am which by the way she snuck him in the house late on Friday night...
I think we can all agree you have more important matters to attend to right now. Good luck!
Have seen some uncanny pet matches owner photos, but I've also known some, too. Also have to be careful though, not everyone likes the resemblance!
RTalloni, you have that right. I made a comment one day to someone about how cute her dog was and the first thing she said was doesn't she look like me? In reality they didn't but I just smiled and kept going. Not sure if she was messing with me or really believed it. Thanks for the follow..
Too funny, but we're a funny breed, us humans. ;)
RTalloni, we sure are. If only we could be smarter and wiser..
Just found your excellent hub. The pics made me giggle. I had a dachshund with a very patchy coat, probably a good match for my freckles and pointy nose! he he!!
Gypsy Willow, thanks so much for your comment and stopping by. Glad the pics made you giggle, as your comparison to your dachshund made me laugh as well.
dohn121 Level 2 Commenter 23 months ago
Wow! This was great to see and read! Yes, the resemblance is certainly remarkable--and that includes the first pick as well! My sister's dog, Molly, who's a Pekingese looks just like her, as she too has a flat face! Thanks for a great hub that compliments your other hub. You should create a link for it here and vice versa :)