Jovana Radojcic, 2012/895, group F

Abstract
The so-called differences in personality between cat and dog lovers have been the subject
of many researches and suppositions. The aim of this research is to explore and discuss
the personality differences that came from the findings. The methodology employed
included a questionnaire that consisted of thirteen questions. Forty subjects took part in
the research. Special emphasis is put on the aspects of extroversion and introversion. The
results point to dog people as more extroverted and open to new people, while cat people
are more independent and open to trying new things.
Key words: cats, dogs, personality, introversion, extroversion

Is there a personality difference between cat and dog people?

Introduction
People delight in classifying themselves into groups and categories. Therefore, its not
uncommon that we are frequently asked Do you prefer coffee or tea? Chocolate or
vanilla? Summer or winter? Cats or dogs? People ask those questions in order to find out
more about their interlocutor.
Could it be that these classifications really tell us something about the other person? The
subject of this research is to find out whether there is a difference in personality between
people that identify themselves as exclusively cat or dog lovers.
Naturally, cats and dogs belong to different species and as it can be expected - there are
obvious differences in their behavior. It could be that because of those distinctions there
are strongly held beliefs that the personalities of cat and dog lovers are also poles apart.
Cats are often perceived as intelligent and mysterious independent creatures that are more
attached to their environment than owners. Dogs, on the contrary, are generally seen as
loyal, playful and attention-seeking animals that depend on their owners. They are often
referred to as a mans best friend.
People have always been interested in analyzing and exploring the way human brain
functions and what makes individuals different from one another. What makes us
different is our personality. One of the definitions of personality is that Personality refers
to those characteristics of the person that account for consistent patterns of feelings,
thinking and behaving (Pervin, Cervone & John, 2005, p.6). Those characteristics that
make us unique have been of interest to many psychologists, thus it led to a plethora of
personality classification tests such as Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Big Five
personality traits, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and many others.
Most people are familiar with the characteristic that refers to introversion and
extroversion. Introverts are described as people that would rather spend some time alone
than associate with large groups of people. In fact, social situations where one is expected

to mingle around and talk constantly drain their energy. Therefore, introspective time
alone is their favorite sanctuary to recharge.
On the other hand, extroverts are total opposites of introverts. Being with other people
energizes them and makes them feel better. This is why they seek out social situations,
while spending time alone kills their spirit of a social butterfly.
Introversion and extroversion are the main characteristics that I will try to connect with
people that have a strong preference for cats or dogs. However, some questions can give
us answers to matters of independency and dependency, willingness to work with other
people and openness to new things.

Background
In 2010, Samuel D. Gosling, from Department of Psychology at University of Texas, with
Carson J. Sandy and Jeff Potter, conducted a research on this subject named
Personalities of Self-Identified Dog People and Cat People. Respondents were first
given a Big Five personality traits test. A total of 4,565 volunteers participated in the
research, both male and female. Forty-six percent identified themselves as dog people
and only twelve percent as cat people. This research included the option of identifying as
both (28 %) and neither (15 %). The results of this research showed that dog people
indeed were more extroverted than cat people, but also more conscientious and agreeable.
On the other hand, cat people were more neurotic and open than dog people.

Methods
The data for the purposes of this research was gathered with the help of a questionnaire
that contained a total of 13 questions, most of the questions being close-ended and 2
open-ended questions.
To begin with, the first two questions allow participants to classify themselves into one of
the two groups that this research was about cat or dog lovers and owners. In addition to
this, the third and fourth open-ended questions take into account participants own
opinion on their pets characteristics and which characteristics they might share with

them. Furthermore, fifth and sixth question reveal if participants are more introverted or
extroverted. Similarly, answers to seventh and eighth question give information about
participants both introversion/extroversion and openness to new acquaintances in social
situations. Coupled with answers to thirteenth question, it also shows participants
openness to new things. Next, questions number nine and ten show if pet owners prefer
environment and activity assigned to their pets. Finally, eleventh and twelfth question tell
if participants are dependent on other people or not.
I contacted all my friends that owned exclusively cats or dogs and preferred one or the
other to participate in the research. They filled a questionnaire online through Google
Forms. A total number of respondents were 40. Respondents were both male and female
aged between 19 and 22 years. I decided not to include people that preferred both cats
and dogs or neither, because they were not the subject of this research and the findings
about their characteristics would not be relevant for my research. It could be that this
number of participants is not enough to get a clear picture on the matter, but this is the
number of people that matched the type of persons needed for this research to be
conducted and were willing to participate in it. In my humble opinion, this research still
presents some general picture on the subject.

Findings
Of the forty participants, nineteen identified as cat lovers and owners (47, 5 %) and
twenty-one as dog lovers and owners (52, 5 %).
In the first place, twenty-eight respondents (70 %) stated that they preferred to spend
their leisure time alone and only twelve that they would rather do something with others
(30%). Even though both cat and dog lovers preferred to spend their time alone, more
dog lovers (38 %) responded that they would do something with other people. The results
were likewise for the preference of having a lot of friends or associating with a small
group of hand-picked people.
Next, the majority of cat lovers reported that it was not easy for them to communicate
with new people and make new friends (68 %), while on the other hand, dog lovers
reported that being sociable came naturally to them (71 %).

As for being an open book, more dog lovers reported that they are easy to get to know
(76 %), while just 26 % of cat lovers think the same.
When it comes to being an outdoor or indoor person, most cat lovers said that they prefer
being indoors (95 %). Correspondingly, 76% of dog lovers preferred staying indoors,
while only 24 % opted for outdoors. Not surprisingly, a considerable number of cat lovers
reported that they would like their pet to cuddle with them (95 %) rather than be active,
while dog lovers were on the same page, but a fair number of them reported that they
would rather their pet be active with them (47 %).
Now, open-ended questions were interesting to respondents and they listed a lot of traits
that their pet possessed and that they valued. A significant number of dog lovers put
loyalty in the first place. Playfulness and empathy followed. Other traits that they listed
were affectionate, obedient, friendly, grateful and protective. Only two participants put
intelligent on the list. Dog lovers put loyalty, again, in the first place as a trait that they
shared with their pet. Friendly and affectionate were the two characteristics that were also
common. Empathy, cheerfulness and even being adorable were also found on the list.
Valued characteristics of their pets, cat owners rated in this way: calmness, intelligence
and tidiness were in top three. Among these, other cherished traits were: kindness, being
quiet, playful, snuggly, charming, cunning, independent, laid-back and agile. One person
listed even self-centeredness as a valued trait of their cat. However, the most frequent
shared characteristics were intelligence and independence. Tidiness was the characteristic
in the third place.
With regard to dependency and independency, the majority of cat people (79 %) stated
that they are not likely turn to other people when making decisions. On the contrary, dog
people, sixty-seven percent of them, said that they appreciate others opinion in decisionmaking process. Responses show that eighty-one percent of dog people prefer working in
a team. In contrast, cat people prefer working alone, a total of eighty-four percent opted
for this option.
Finally, ninety-four percent of cat people responded that they enjoy trying new things,
while only fifty-two percent of dog people reported the same.

Discussion and Analysis

According to the gathered data, there is a close correlation between introverted and
extroverted persons and whether they are cat or dog lovers. However, I was surprised
with how many respondents preferred small groups of people and spending time alone,
whether they were cat or dog lovers. But it could be that my sample was not random
enough and it did not include a large number of people. What supported the main theory
were responses to other questions from the questionnaire. Therefore, dog lovers turned
out to be more open to new friendships, cooperation and teamwork, as well as other
peoples advice. Cat people, on the other hand, appeared to be more independent, selfsatisfied persons than dog people, but also more open to trying new things. In addition,
traits that respondents listed as the ones they pet possessed, showed that dogs are still
seen as loyal, friendly and affectionate animals, while cats are perceived as independent
and intelligent creatures.

Conclusion
This research supports the initial theory and it is partly in agreement with the before
mentioned research that Samuel D. Gosling conducted. In my opinion, only partly,
because it did not include any kind of personality test to conclude whether respondents
were truly introverted or extroverted. Taking a personality test beforehand would give a
clear picture of whether there is a significant difference between the personalities of cat
and dog lovers. The results from this kind of research can be useful for certain types of
pet therapy or when choosing a pet in animal shelters. Further research could be done on
the subject whether other types of pets, not just cats and dogs, have anything to do with
the personality of their owners. All in all, this research shows that compared to dog
people, cat lovers are usually more independent than dog people, while dog people are
generally friendlier than cat people.

References
1. Pervin, L. A, Cervone, D, & John, O. P. (2005). Personality: Theory and Research
(9th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

2. Gosling, Samuel D, Sandy, Carson J, Potter, Jeff. Personalities of self-identified

"dog people" and "cat people." Anthrozos, Vol 23(3), Sep 2010, 213-222.

Appendix: Questionnaire
You would say that you are more of a:
1. dog person
2. cat person
You own a:
1. dog(s)
2. cat(s)
What traits do you value that your pet possesses?
Do you share some of those traits with your pet? Which ones?
When I have free time I:
1. prefer to do something with the others
2. prefer to spend some time alone
When it comes to friends, I:
1. have a lot of friends and acquaintances
2. associate with a small group of chosen people
It is easy for you to communicate with new people and make friends:
1. true
2. false
Others would say that I am easy to get to know:
1. true
2. false
Would you describe yourself more as an outdoor or indoor person?
1. outdoor
2. indoor
Would you rather your pet cuddle or be active with you?
1. cuddle
2. be active
You often turn to other people when making decisions:
1. true
2. false
You are a team player and you enjoy working on group projects rather than by yourself:
1. true
2. false
You enjoy taking part in various activities and trying new things:
1. true
2. false