From a Chihuahua to a Great Dane, dogs come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and display an array of temperaments. Studies suggest that the type of dog breed that you choose can tell a lot about your personality. The following are a few generalizations about what owning a certain breed says about your personality. How similar to your dog breed do you think you are?

Bulldogs

Bulldogs are determined, persistent, and do not give up easily. People who own bulldogs are said to be silly and love to laugh but can be viewed as stubborn at times. They are extremely efficient and methodical in completing tasks. While they appear intimidating, bulldogs are gentle and loving members of the family known for being hopeless romantics with sentimental streaks.

Terriers

Terriers are energetic, fun loving, and playful companions. People who own terriers are said to be flexible and able to focus on the task at hand. Just like the dogs, terrier owners are often feisty, brave, and competitive. They are extremely talkative and have good sense of humor.

Labradors and Golden Retrievers

Labs and golden retrievers are friendly, good-natured, and make wonderful family pets. Owners of these breeds put their families first and said to be easy going and carefree. Labs and goldens are known for having an active lifestyle and loving the outdoors. People who own these breeds are social butterflies who are honest and lovable.

Beagles

Beagles are inquisitive, loyal, and willing to learn new things. Owners of Beagles tend to be open to new experiences, curious, and willful. Beagle owners make great friends and bring laughter and joy to everyone’s lives. They can also have a mischievous side.

Poodles, Chihuahuas and Toy Breeds

Owners of these breeds are sincere, fun loving, and loyal. Toy breed owners are said to love traveling since the small dogs make excellent travel partners and can be easily put into a carrier. Owners of these dogs take pride in their appearance, are very neat and keep very orderly homes. They are very versatile and can enjoy evenings in with a bottle of wine or a night out partying on the town. See article Where Are Toy Breeds Today?

Boxers

Boxers are busy dogs that exude high amounts of energy. People that own boxers are said to live life to the fullest and are known to be extremely playful. Boxer owners are busy, love life, and quickly welcome strangers as new friends. Boxers banish stress with their silly and playful demeanor and their owners are generally happy-go-lucky people.

Cocker Spaniels

Cocker Spaniels are sweet, respectful, and gentle. Owners of this breed are charming, trustworthy, and affectionate. Cocker Spaniel owners are said to lead busy lives but put spending time with their family first. They maintain a group of close lifelong friends, which they much prefer to spending time with strangers.

English Pointers, Weimaraners, Irish Setters

These breeds are naturally alert, likable, and well-rounded companions. Owners of these breeds enjoy being active, outdoor activities, and hunting. They have a great sense of courage, are highly intelligent, easily excited, and motivated. These breeds are very energetic and their owners enjoy intense activities such as all day hiking and extreme sports. They can get bored easily if not subjected to new experiences.

Greyhound, Whippet, Basenji (Sight Hound Group)

Owners of these breeds tend to be more relaxed, calm, and introverted. Sight hounds enjoy the company of close groups of friends and prefer social outings with small groups. They are highly organized, curious, and always alert. People who own sight hounds are fast and agile and often excel at sports, especially track and field.

German Shepherds

German shepherds are sometimes shy around strangers but warm up once they get to know you. Owners of German shepherds would do anything for their friends and make extremely loyal companions that are protective of those that they love.

Dachshunds

Dachshunds are stubborn and brave, often acting as if invincible. When owners of dachshunds want something, they don’t give up until they get it. Dachshund owners love gardening and just like the dogs, digging up things. They can sometimes be bossy and often dislike not getting their own way.

Rottweilers

Rottweilers are determined and are often described as intense. This breed commands a certain amount of respect and is considered to be a courageous breed. People that have rottweilers are confident and are loyal and devoted to their friends and loved ones. They are laid back but quick to react if someone rubs them the wrong way.

Pugs

Pugs are often viewed as the “class clowns” of the canine species. People who live with pugs are cheerful and have a zest for living life to the fullest. Just like pugs who will do anything for a good belly rub, their owners enjoy frequent massages and days of pampering at the spa.

Doberman Pinschers

These dogs are very serious, intense, and determined. Owners are leaders versus followers and love to plan and organize a situation. People who live with dobermans are said to be very organized and go about achieving their goals in a polite yet firm fashion.

Siberian Huskies

Siberian husky owners are huge sports fans. Whether it’s Monday Night Football or college basketball, it’s likely that they are out watching the game somewhere or within the comfort of their own home. Owners of huskies enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and outdoor sports. They can be strong willed but are lovable and welcoming to strangers.

Great Danes

Owners of Great danes are good-hearted and responsible. They tend to work hard and put one hundred percent into everything they do. Great dane owners enjoy staying up on news and current events and welcome the chance to debate important issues with others. This breed tends to be serious and enjoys relaxing around the house after the workday is done.

Bichon Frises

People who own bichons enjoy being pampered and are considerate of their appearance. Bichons are naturally sociable and are the happiest when they are part of a family or among a group of friends. Bichon owners are self-assured and gravitate towards a classy lifestyle. They are often wine connoisseurs and art aficionados who enjoy dining at 4-star restaurants and being seen around the town.

Australian Shepherds

Australian shepherds are active and thoroughly enjoy being outside. Owners of this breed enjoy playing Frisbee at the beach, going to the park, and camping outdoors. This breed has a passion for living life to the fullest and people who live with Australian shepherds are said to have a lot of friends. Aussie owners can be competitive, especially when it comes to a sports match.

Pit Bulls

Pit bulls have a strong desire to please and will do anything for their family or friends. Pit bull owners are courageous, full of vitality, and are constantly looking out for those they love. They enjoy being around children and make excellent parents and grandparents. There is no better babysitter than a pit bull.

Mixed Breeds

Mutt owners are fun loving, open minded, and carefree. They enjoy coasting along and riding the wave of life over following strict and rigid plans. They don’t sweat the small stuff and keep their eye on the bigger picture. In their spare time, mutt owners are often seen volunteering at or spending time with their diverse group of friends.

In the comments section below, tell us how similar to your dog breed you think you are?

Content courtesy of Cesar’s Way.

And today is dedicated to unusual pets!

I handed the receptionist at my doctor’s office a business card as I was paying my bill, and we chatted about the “Your Pet Space” website for a moment.  As I was heading out the door a man in the waiting room asked, “What is it you are doing with hunting dogs?”

I chuckled. Our dogs are traditional hunting dogs, but we never hunt, so I replied, “I am teaching them to be house pets.”  We chatted about the website and how we are putting together pet care information in one place.

I haven’t hunted in years, but when I adopted my Brittany I thought I might want to get involved in field trials, so I started Castle’s training using tips in the book  Shortcuts in Gun Dog Training** by Ronald Mohn. Whether you intend to hunt or not, this book offers exercises that will help you bond with your dog.  It includes things all dogs need to learn such as coming when called, sit, wait, and stay.  My favorite exercise is retrieving.  The book explains how to teach your dog to retrieve game using a “soft” mouth as to not damage the game. It makes for a fun game of fetch.

What do you do with your dog? Dogs need to work out daily to keep their minds sharp and to expend their energy.  If they don’t spend their energy in a productive way they will use it in a destructive way. You have probably heard the sales pitch claiming you can train your dog in ten minutes, and that is true. Ten minutes a day every day. So choose a path with your dog that will be personal and meaningful for you, and work with your dog daily.

Dave Jones is an insurance sales desk supervisor by day and a professional magician by night.  He lives with his wife Joy in Anderson, Ohio, but grew up on a farm with pigs, chickens and cows as well as dogs and cats.  You can e-mail Dave at mrjones@usa.com as well as follow him on Facebook.

**Shortcuts in Gun Dog Training is now out of print, so we suggest you reserve it at your local library.

Hi!  My name is Tina Caldwell. I have been training dogs and their families for about twenty years. I like to work with all kinds of dogs and people.  I have shown and competed in many different events over the years.   Some of my specialties are conformation, obedience and agility trials.  My favorite breed of dog is the cane corso.

          One of the questions I get asked a lot is:

Why should I take my puppy to obedience school?  

All pups should attend at least twelve weeks of school to have a good social foundation. All pups need to develop good social skill by being in a group class with other folks and pups.   I have found over the years, that folks tend to wait until problems develop with the pup, then decide to bring the pup to school.  It is easier to bring the pup to school and teach all the basic things a pup should know.  Simple  tasks such as sit, down, stay, come, leave it and loose leash walking.  It is nice to have a trainer on hand to help with things as the pup grows and changes. What I like best about puppy class is the pups coming and having a good play time with their puppy friends.              

Have a great day!

Do you have a question for Trainer Tina?  Send it to joy@yourpetspace.info

Pets and music!

Ever try doing yoga with your pets?