A 2022 study led by Tania C. Plueckhahn and colleagues explored the link between owner personality and dog temperament using two established questionnaires—the Monash Canine Personality Questionnaire-Revised (MCPQ-R) and the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ). Conducted with 74 predominantly female owners and 123 dogs of various breeds, the study revealed compelling connections between human traits and canine behavioral assessments.
Owners who scored high on **Conscientiousness** consistently rated their dogs higher on traits such as **training focus**, **motivation**, **amicability**, and **extraversion**. Similarly, **Extraverted owners** and those low in **Neuroticism** tended to rate their dogs as more amicable. This suggests that the owner’s personality doesn’t just influence their interactions with their dogs—it may also affect how they perceive and interpret their dog’s behavior.
Beyond human traits, the study also examined dog-related variables. **Taller dogs** were more often rated lower in “extraversion” and “motivation.” **Breed group** played a significant role: **crossbreeds** scored highest for “motivation,” **working dogs** for “training focus,” and **gun dogs, utility dogs, and crossbreeds** were all rated more amicable than **hounds**.
This research supports the practicality of using short-form temperament assessments in real-world settings and strengthens the case for matching dog and owner personalities to enhance welfare and compatibility. These insights could also help guide **training approaches**, inform **behavioral interventions**, and aid in **assistance dog placement**, where temperament alignment is especially crucial.
Further studies are encouraged to expand on these findings and to explore whether these associations are consistent across more diverse owner populations and dog types.
Source: Tania C. Plueckhahn, Lisa Schneider, and Paul Delfabbro. Published in Anthrozoös, Volume 36, Pages 53–67, April 28, 2022.
