German Shepherd lovers: confident and tough
"Exceptionally confident, tough, and looking for loyalty"— those are the words Karin Wagner, an American Kennel Club representative who judges German Shepherds in dog shows, uses to describe this breed. Think of a no-nonsense high school teacher who won't let you get away with goofing off.
Other research has found that owners of Rottweilers and German Shepherds are more likely to have a hostile or aggressive personality. (These are the secrets your pet is keeping from you.)
Golden or Labrador Retriever lovers: spunky and adventurous
"These owners are outgoing and open to trying new things," says Theresa Viestro, AKC representative for Labrador Retrievers. And if they're anything like their dogs, these owners are also very popular. The Labrador Retriever was just ranked the most popular dog breed of 2014 by the American Kennel Club. (These pet combinations are most likely to hate each other.)
Toy dog lovers: Agreeable and conscientious
Owners of toy dogs, such as Chihuahuas and Yorkshire terriers, were more agreeable, conscientious and open to new experiences, according to 2012 British survey of 1,000 participants. "Openness to new experiences is sometimes lumped in with intelligence," study author Lance Workman, a psychologist at Bath Spa University, told Good Morning America. "There's this view that people who own toy dogs are air heads, so this was quite nice to see."
Beagle lovers: Emotionally stable
If you like Beagles or other hound dogs, that same survey says you might be more emotionally stable or levelheaded. But that doesn't mean quiet or shy. Mary Cummings, the AKC rep for beagles, says that this breed is very outgoing and active. Beagles are very family friendly; they enjoy spending as much time as possible with their owners. "If my beagle were a person, she'd be a kindergarten teacher," Cummings said. (This is how your pet is making you smarter, stronger, and more resistant to stress.)
Bulldog lovers: Stubborn
We asked Victoria Larson, a French bulldog owner and AKC representative, what she thought the typical bulldog owner was like. She laughed and summed it up in one word: "stubborn." Dog expert Cesar Milan agrees that bulldogs are "determined, persistent, and do not give up easily." The French bulldog just broke into the American Kennel Club's Top 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2014, proving that they're also very trendy.
Terrier lovers: ???
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all: If you've got a terrier, you just might be a mystery—studies show no standout personality traits. This is how to pick the best dog breed for you.
