WHAT does your choice of dog say about you?
When picking a pooch, most people go for one that is like them, recent research suggests.
Dr Lance Workman, Visiting Professor of Psychology at the University of South Wales, and colleague Jo Fearon studied the personality traits of dog owners by breed and found remarkable similarities.
Lance says: “People choose dogs to fit in with their lifestyle, which reflects their personality.
"It’s like picking a romantic partner.
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"Your personalities have to be compatible.”
So what does Lance think celebrities’ mutts tells us about them?
From David Walliams' Border terrier to Adele’s Goldendoodles, it’s furry revealing . . .
Jennifer Aniston - Minature schnauzer
THE Friends actress, who also starred in doggy tearjerker Marley & Me, has a three-year-old miniature Schnauzer called Lord Chesterfield.
She called him “lovable, squeezable, talkative, cuddly” in a post for Puppy day in 2022.
She also has a Schnauzer mix, Clyde.
In the study, miniature Schnauzer owners tend to be very conscientious, organised and preferring to stick to the rules.
Lance says: “Owners of this breed are very friendly and open to ideas.”
The King & Queen - Jack Russell
WHILE the late Queen loved Corgis, King Charles and Queen Camilla own two Jack Russells, Bluebell and Beth, which they got from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 2017.
Jack Russell lovers were found to be loyal, faithful and good listeners.
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“Owners tend to be very balanced people, which is interesting as Jack Russells can be crazy dogs,” says Lance.
“But maybe the most stable people are the ones who can best look after a volatile Jack Russell.”
Kate Middleton - Cocker spaniel
THE Prince and Princess of Wales are huge fans of cocker spaniels, frequently taking snaps with the family dog, Orla. She replaced another cocker, Lupo, who died in 2021.
Owners have dominant traits of loyalty, wanting to help others and trustworthiness but they are also the most family orientated.
“Cocker owners come high on all measures,” says Lance.
“They are friendly, conscientious and intelligent and, like Kate, are sporty and enjoy the outdoors.”
Emilia Clarke - Dachshund
REVEALING her new canine companion, Ted, to the world in 2020, the Games Of Thrones actress wrote: “He physically cannot stop being the most beautiful puppy in the entire world.”
The unusual look of a Dachshund attracts quirky owners drawn to the unique and who don’t like to stand out in a crowd.
Lance says: “Dachshund lovers tend to be not too extrovert or introvert, scoring average on most personality traits.”
Reese Witherspoon - Labrador
THE actress cradled a cute Chihuahua in 2001 hit Legally Blonde, but her own dogs are a lot bigger.
She has Labradors Hank and Major.
Telly’s Ant McPartlin is also a fan of the trusty breed and has shared chocolate Lab Hurley with ex-wife Lisa Armstrong since their split in January 2018.
“Labrador lovers are outdoorsy and friendly,” says Lance.
“The pooches are about reliability and constancy and sometimes your dog provides something you don’t get from else- where in life, like stability.”
Adele - Goldendoodles
THE singer has two goldendoodles, Bob and Freddy, which she introduced to fans in 2021, calling them a “spark of joy”.
The cuddly pooches – a golden retriever and poodle cross – are affectionate and devoted to owners but as a result are prone to separation anxiety.
Lance says goldendoodle owners can be people pleasers.
He explains: “They score high for being agreeable, but it can mean you say yes to everything, leaving them frustrated as they take on too much.”
David Walliams - Border terrier
THE comic wrote a children’s book called The World’s Worst Pets, but says his own border terriers, Bert and Ernie, were too “well behaved” to be in it.
Presenter Lorraine Kelly is also a fan of the breed, with beloved family pet Angus often popping up on her Instagram feed.
According to charity Kennel Club, owners are “charming, lively and exuberant”.
“They are often agreeable,” says Lance. “Lorraine and David seem extrovert but owners mostly come out middling.”
Michelle Keegan - Chihuahua
THE Fool Me Once star is a lover of the toy dogs, owning Chihuahua Pip as well as dachshund Phoebe.
Michelle has even dressed her pooches in coats matching her own Very clothing range.
The study found toys dogs are often chosen by people with busy lifestyles as they don’t need hours of exercise.
“Chihuahua owners ranked high for being agreeable and extroverted,” says Lance.
“But they come out below average on emotional stability.
"They are great fun to be around but may vary in mood.”
Jack Grealish - Cockapoo
AFTER a burglary at his home on Boxing Day, the Man City ace posted a snap with a fierce-looking £25,000 Belgian Malinois.
He bought it from a specialist protection firm, along with cuddly cockapoo Skye.
Lance says: “For Jack, these particular dogs serve different purposes in his life. People buy dogs for three reasons – one to show off, another as a child substitute and the third for protection.
“But owners of both breeds are affable and cockapoo owners are generally extrovert.”
