How dog choice can reveal real personalities as experts analyze celebrities
WHAT does your choice of dog say about you?
When choosing a dog, most people choose a dog that looks like them, according to recent research.
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 that suit their lifestyle, that reflect their personality.
“It's like choosing a romantic partner.
“Your personalities should be compatible.”
So what does Lance think celebrity mutts tell us about them?
From David Walliams' Border Terrier to Adele's Goldendoodles, it's furry and revealing. . .
Jennifer Aniston – Miniature 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 “sweet, squeezable, talkative, cuddly” in a post for Puppy Day 2022.
She also has a Schnauzer mix, Clyde.
The research shows that miniature schnauzer owners are generally very conscientious and organized and prefer to stick to the rules.
Lance says, “Owners of this breed are very friendly and open to ideas.”
The King and Queen – Jack Russell
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While the late Queen loved Corgis, King Charles and Queen Camilla own two Jack Russells, Bluebell and Beth, which they received from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 2017.
Jack Russell lovers turned out to be loyal, faithful and good listeners.
“Owners tend to be very balanced people, which is interesting because Jack Russells can be crazy dogs,” says Lance.
“But perhaps the most stable people are those who can best care for a volatile Jack Russell.”
Kate Middleton – Cocker Spaniel
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THE Prince and Princess of Wales are big fans of cocker spaniels and regularly take photos 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-oriented.
“Cocker owners score high on all measures,” says Lance.
“They are friendly, conscientious and intelligent and, like Kate, are sporty and love the outdoors.”
Emilia Clarke – Dachshund
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The Games Of Thrones actress revealed her new canine companion Ted to the world in 2020, writing: “He physically can't stop being the most beautiful puppy in the world.”
A dachshund's unusual appearance attracts quirky owners who are attracted to the unique and who do not like to stand out from the crowd.
Lance says: “Dachshund lovers are generally neither too extroverted nor introverted and score average on most personality traits.”
Reese Witherspoon – Labrador
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THE actress rocked an adorable chihuahua in the 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 familiar breed and has been sharing chocolate Lab Hurley with ex-wife Lisa Armstrong since their divorce in January 2018.
“Labrador lovers are outdoorsy and friendly,” says Lance.
“The puppies are all about reliability and steadfastness, and sometimes your dog offers something you don't get elsewhere in life, like stability.”
Adele – Goldendoodles
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THE singer has two goldendoodles, Bob and Freddy, who she introduced to fans in 2021, calling them a “spark of joy.”
The cuddly puppies – a cross between golden retriever and poodle – are affectionate and devoted to their owners, but are therefore prone to separation anxiety.
Lance says goldendoodles owners can please people.
He explains: “They score highly because they are friendly, but it can mean saying yes to everything, leaving them frustrated because they are taking on too much.”
David Walliams – Border Terrier
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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 appear in it.
Presenter Lorraine Kelly is also a fan of the breed, with much-loved family pet Angus often popping up on her Instagram feed.
According to the Kennel Club charity, the owners are “charming, lively and exuberant”.
“They're often nice,” says Lance. “Lorraine and David seem outgoing, but owners usually come across as mediocre.”
Michelle Keegan-Chihuahua
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THE Fool Me Once star is a toy dog lover and owns both Chihuahua Pip and dachshund Phoebe.
Michelle even dressed her puppies in coats to match her own Very clothing line.
The research shows that toy dogs are often chosen by people with busy lifestyles because they do not require hours of exercise.
“Chihuahua owners scored highly for being friendly and outgoing,” says Lance.
“But they are below average in terms of emotional stability.
“They are a lot of fun to be around, but the mood can vary.”
Jack Grealish Cockapoo
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FOLLOWING a burglary at his home on Boxing Day, the Man City ace posted a photo with a fierce-looking £25,000 Belgian Malinois.
He bought it from a specialist protection company, along with the 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 replacement, and the third to protect.
“But owners of both breeds are friendly and cockapoo owners tend to be outgoing.”