Published in Anthrozoös, this exploratory study by Tania C. Plueckhahn, L. Schneider, and P. Delfabbro examines the relationship between owner personality and dog temperament using validated questionnaires: the Monash Canine Personality Questionnaire–Revised (MCPQ-R) and the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ). The sample included 74 owners (97.3% female) and 123 dogs spanning multiple breeds and breed groups.
Results revealed several noteworthy associations. Owners scoring high on Conscientiousness rated their dogs higher in training focus, motivation, amicability, and extraversion. This suggests that structured, organized, and attentive owners may perceive—or cultivate—dogs with stronger engagement and sociability.
Higher owner Extraversion and lower Neuroticism were each linked to higher ratings of dog amicability. These findings indicate that emotionally stable and socially outgoing owners may interact with their dogs in ways that shape, reinforce, or more positively interpret friendly and affiliative behaviors.
The study also examined how dog demographic factors relate to temperament ratings. Taller dogs in this sample were rated lower on extraversion and motivation, suggesting potential morphological or expectation-based influences on owner perceptions. Breed-group differences emerged as well: • Crossbreeds were rated higher in motivation, • Working dogs were rated higher in training focus, and • Gun dogs, utility dogs, and crossbreeds scored higher in amicability than hounds.
Together, these results support the use of brief temperament questionnaires in field research and underscore the complex interactions between owner personality, dog characteristics, and temperament ratings. They highlight the importance of considering owner traits when evaluating canine behavior, selecting dogs for specific roles, or addressing behavior concerns.
The authors recommend further investigation into how owner psychological profiles influence dog training, welfare, and long-term relationship outcomes, noting that owner perceptions may reflect both actual dog behavior and interpretive biases shaped by personality.
Source: Plueckhahn, T. C., Schneider, L., & Delfabbro, P. (2022). Comparing Owner-Rated Dog Temperament Measures and a Measure of Owner Personality: An Exploratory Study. Anthrozoös. Published April 28, 2022.
