Personalities are an important part of society, giving everyone a unique touch that separates them from the rest. Personality types may sound like a concrete set of characteristics, but each type has subcategories to help define who you are. Animals also have personality types, which is partially why people connect with them so well. And, just like people, dogs also have a wide range of personality types. If you have a dog, you probably already know your dog’s personality type. Read on to see which personality type fits your dog the most- you might find that your dog fits more than one category!
Top 10 Types of Dog Personalities
- The Dedicated Worker Image Credit: shymar27, Shutterstock Pros
Hardworking
Reliable
Obedient
Cons
Usually high-energy dogs
Not for first-time dog owners
Potential Breeds: Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd Dog, Border Collie, Dutch Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher, German Shorthaired Pointer, Weimaraner, Tibetan Mastiff, Poodle Some dogs thrive from working, especially dog breeds like shepherds and collies that are bred for work. The dedicated worker personality type is a hard-working, obedient dog who knows what to do and when. They seem happiest when it’s time to head out for the day, whether it’s doing police work, tracking, farming, or herding. If nothing else, a dog in this category is reliable because of its dedication. The dedicated worker might be a challenge for novice dog owners to handle if they don’t have a daily job to do, so be very careful when looking at breeds falling into this category. Many breeds in this category are high-energy, intensely smart dogs that need hours for training and exercise, which rules out a moderate amount of potential dog owners.
- The Guardian Image Credit: Ricantimages, Shutterstock Pros
Protective
Watchful
Imposing
Cons
Can be dominant
Needs confident owner
Needs extensive socialization
Potential breeds: Bullmastiff, Chow-Chow, Rottweiler, Giant Schnauzer, Cane Corso, Dog de Bordeaux, English Mastiff, German Shepherd, Dogo Argentino, American Pit Bull Terrier, Boxer, Tibetan Mastiff The guardian is the type of dog personality that will do anything to protect their family. This is the type of dog personality that people look for when they want a guard dog, especially if the breed is also large. The guardian needs a very confident owner to prevent dominance issues, which can be prevalent in breeds that have this natural personality type. Though the breeds that fit this type are usually imposing and visually intimidating, many of them are absolute teddy bears with their families. A dog with the guardian personality should never show signs of aggression towards the family and anyone they’ve socialized with, so it’s important to know what you’re doing if you get a dog with this personality type.
- The Class Clown Image Credit: LynetteC, Pixabay Pros
Goofy
Sociable
Entertaining
Cons
Can be unfocused
Clumsy
Stubborn
Potential Breeds: Boxer, American Bully, Labrador, Siberian Husky, Brittany Spaniel, French Bulldog, Yorkshire Terrier, Springer Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Corgi, English Springer Spaniel, Boston Terrier Goofy and usually running around with the case of the zoomies, a dog with the class clown personality type wants to have fun! A class clown-type dog enjoys playing, running, and spending time with people or other dogs. They are simply a happy-go-lucky, fun-to-be-around dog with a goofy personality. Although it’s hard to fault the class clown, it can be a challenge to reign in that type of personality. Stubbornness and lack of focus can cause training to be a headache, so it’ll take patience and time to train a class clown. A class clown-type of dog is also usually clumsy and boisterous, which spells disaster if they are a bigger breed.
- The Family Dog Image Credit: sasastock, Shutterstock Pros
Well-rounded temperament
Great with children
Reliable
Cons
Harder type to find
Can become over-protective
May demand attention
Potential Breeds: Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, English Mastiff, Poodle, Schnauzer, Boxer, American Bully, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Newfoundland, Bullmastiff The classic, reliable family dog personality type is one that many visualize when they want a dog: happy yet calm, playful but not rough, sociable but not overly friendly. TV shows often portray dogs with this type of personality, especially in sitcoms revolving around the idea of families with children. A dog with this personality type usually has a great temperament and a happy demeanor, even under stressful situations. The family dog type is hard to predict with puppies since many breeds can fit this description. A dog in this category may need more attention than other breeds, especially if it’s a dog breed that loves affection. Dog breeds that are natural guardian-type dogs will also fall into this category, so socialization is a must to prevent aggression.
- The Watch Dog Image Credit: Hanna Dyka, Shutterstock Pros
Vigilant, Alert
Highly Aware
Cons
Excessive Barking
Requires a lot of Attention
Needs extensive socialization
Potential Breeds: Keeshond, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Pekingese, Japanese Chin, Boxer, Corgi, Beagle, Alaskan Klee Kai, Siberian Husky, German Shepherd, Poodle, Chihuahua The watchdog may seem like the guardian type, but not all watchdogs are natural guardians. A dog with this personality type loves to bark and alert the household of possible intruders, which can easily turn into a dog with excessive barking issues. A dog with this type of personality can be quite friendly, barking aside. The watchdog type needs an owner that can curb excessive barking, as well as socialize them to prevent aggression or people-based fear. They may also have a “favorite” person, which can lead to possessiveness and aggression towards anyone else. A dog with the watchdog personality may also have a shrill bark, as some breeds were created for that purpose.
- The Aristocrat Image Credit: VKarlov, Shutterstock Pros
Feline-like
Prefers quieter homes
Self-assured
Cons
Can be hard to train
Not the best type for families with kids
Potential Breeds: Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Shar Pei, Chow-Chow, Afghan Hound, Akita, Poodle, Schnauzer, Airedale Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Chinese Crested Dog, Japanese Chin, Pharoah Hound, Chihuahua The aristocrat type of dog personality is the type of dog that may come off as stubborn or moody, but that’s due to its self-assured, independent nature. A dog with this personality can be active but not necessarily playful, often sitting around and watching instead. A dog with an aristocrat personality has an elitist vibe, especially breeds that attach themselves to one person. A dog with this personality type can be a great pet, especially for quieter homes or single-pet homes. But motivating a dog with the aristocrat-type can be a challenge for training, as some may shut down when bored. However, the aristocrat type is usually an intelligent dog, which can be both a benefit and a challenge.
- The Independent Thinker Image Credit: Mary Swift, Shutterstock Pros
Self-assured
Intelligent
Self-starter working type
Cons
Hard to train
May get into trouble
Pushes buttons when bored
Potential Breeds: Jack Russel Terrier, Blood Hound, Basset Hound, Siberian Husky, Cairn Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Pekingese, Chow-Chow, Chihuahua, Borzoi, Akita, Afghan Hound, Beagle The independent type personality is similar to the self-assured, aristocrat type, but usually without the “elitist” vibe. A dog with this type of personality will have its own agenda and plan, which can lead to trouble. A dog with this personality type will push buttons, which can get old quickly. The independent thinker is usually a working breed that knows its job without cues so that training can be a mixed bag. A dog with an independent thinker personality will typically enjoy the company of people but may seem a little wary of new people. They may also balk at traditional training methods, which means you’ll have to out-think the thinker. However, an independent thinker-type dog that fits right into an individual’s lifestyle can be an extremely rewarding pet to have.
- The Social Butterfly Image Credit: Nick Stafford, Pixabay Pros
Sociable
Outgoing
Loves Attention
Cons
Varied energy levels
May not enjoy household with kids/pets
Potential Breeds: Papillon, Pomeranian, Keeshond, Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Newfoundland, Bichon Frise, Great Dane, Boxer, Brittany Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Maltese A dog with the social butterfly type personality loves to be in the spotlight, whether out in public or at home. This personality type loves to be the center of attention, sometimes to an obsessive degree. A dog with the social butterfly personality enjoys greeting everyone, regardless of its energy level. The social butterfly type of personality doesn’t necessarily mean it enjoys being around children and may not even like other animals. The social butterfly type may also share traits with other personality types, such as the class clown or family dog types. A dog with the social butterfly type is usually a smart dog that can learn a wide variety of tricks, so competitive sports may also be an option.
- The Athlete Image Credit: MichaelGaida, Pixabay Pros
Loves exercising
Can be sociable
Highly intelligent
Cons
Usually very energetic
Requires a lot of daily attention
Potential Breeds: Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd, Weimaraner, German Shorthaired Pointer, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Poodle, Doberman, Newfoundland, Chesapeake Bay Retriever The athlete type of dog is the one who enjoys the outdoorsy or competitive lifestyle, whether it’s long hikes in the mountains or flying through an agility course. This dog type isn’t just a dog that is physically athletic but truly lives for exercise. A dog with the athlete type of personality is ready for any challenge, as long as it’s entertaining. They are usually sociable, which is crucial for competitive sports. Many working breeds will fit into the athlete type of personality, especially hunting and herding breeds. A dog with this type of personality will also have a lot of energy, so getting an athlete-type dog requires a significant chunk of time. A dog with this personality can be a great solo companion or family dog, as long as they can exercise daily.
- The Old Soul Image Credit: nonmisvegliate, Pixabay Pros
Laid-back
Wise,
Gentle
Cons
Can have bouts of energy
Can be hard to train more than basics
Potential Breeds: Greyhound, Borzoi, Irish Wolfhound, Scottish Deer Hound, Italian Greyhound, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Old English Sheepdog, Polish Lowland Sheepdog, English Mastiff, Anatolian Mastiff The old soul personality type is a dog that seems to have wisdom far beyond its years. They tend to have that calm, laid-back personality with a keen awareness of their surroundings. Often polite around people, a dog with the old soul type of personality tends to like quieter homes but will tolerate children. A dog with an old soul type of personality can bring calmness to others, almost like a beacon of peace. They seem to know exactly what a person needs, whether it’s comfort or space. A dog with this type of personality can be tricky to train beyond basic obedience, preferring to nap or hang around instead. However, some energetic breeds have old-soul types of personalities and may still have some bouts of energy. •You might also like:
Featured Image Credit: danielle828, Pixabay
Personalities are an important part of society, giving everyone a unique touch that separates them from the rest. Personality types may sound like a concrete set of characteristics, but each type has subcategories to help define who you are. Animals also have personality types, which is partially why people connect with them so well. And, just like people, dogs also have a wide range of personality types. If you have a dog, you probably already know your dog’s personality type. Read on to see which personality type fits your dog the most- you might find that your dog fits more than one category!
Top 10 Types of Dog Personalities
1. The Dedicated Worker
Pros
Hardworking
Reliable
Obedient
Cons
Usually high-energy dogs
Not for first-time dog owners
Potential Breeds: Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd Dog, Border Collie, Dutch Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher, German Shorthaired Pointer, Weimaraner, Tibetan Mastiff, Poodle
Hardworking
Reliable
Obedient
- Hardworking
- Reliable
- Obedient
Usually high-energy dogs
Not for first-time dog owners
- Usually high-energy dogs
- Not for first-time dog owners
Some dogs thrive from working, especially dog breeds like shepherds and collies that are bred for work. The dedicated worker personality type is a hard-working, obedient dog who knows what to do and when. They seem happiest when it’s time to head out for the day, whether it’s doing police work, tracking, farming, or herding. If nothing else, a dog in this category is reliable because of its dedication.
The dedicated worker might be a challenge for novice dog owners to handle if they don’t have a daily job to do, so be very careful when looking at breeds falling into this category. Many breeds in this category are high-energy, intensely smart dogs that need hours for training and exercise, which rules out a moderate amount of potential dog owners.
2. The Guardian
Pros
Protective
Watchful
Imposing
Cons
Can be dominant
Needs confident owner
Needs extensive socialization
Potential breeds: Bullmastiff, Chow-Chow, Rottweiler, Giant Schnauzer, Cane Corso, Dog de Bordeaux, English Mastiff, German Shepherd, Dogo Argentino, American Pit Bull Terrier, Boxer, Tibetan Mastiff
Protective
Watchful
Imposing
- Protective
- Watchful
- Imposing
Can be dominant
Needs confident owner
Needs extensive socialization
- Can be dominant
- Needs confident owner
- Needs extensive socialization
The guardian is the type of dog personality that will do anything to protect their family. This is the type of dog personality that people look for when they want a guard dog, especially if the breed is also large. The guardian needs a very confident owner to prevent dominance issues, which can be prevalent in breeds that have this natural personality type.
Though the breeds that fit this type are usually imposing and visually intimidating, many of them are absolute teddy bears with their families. A dog with the guardian personality should never show signs of aggression towards the family and anyone they’ve socialized with, so it’s important to know what you’re doing if you get a dog with this personality type.
3. The Class Clown
Pros
Goofy
Sociable
Entertaining
Cons
Can be unfocused
Clumsy
Stubborn
Potential Breeds: Boxer, American Bully, Labrador, Siberian Husky, Brittany Spaniel, French Bulldog, Yorkshire Terrier, Springer Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Corgi, English Springer Spaniel, Boston Terrier
Goofy
Sociable
Entertaining
- Goofy
- Sociable
- Entertaining
Can be unfocused
Clumsy
Stubborn
- Can be unfocused
- Clumsy
- Stubborn
Goofy and usually running around with the case of the zoomies, a dog with the class clown personality type wants to have fun! A class clown-type dog enjoys playing, running, and spending time with people or other dogs. They are simply a happy-go-lucky, fun-to-be-around dog with a goofy personality.
Although it’s hard to fault the class clown, it can be a challenge to reign in that type of personality. Stubbornness and lack of focus can cause training to be a headache, so it’ll take patience and time to train a class clown. A class clown-type of dog is also usually clumsy and boisterous, which spells disaster if they are a bigger breed.
4. The Family Dog
Pros
Well-rounded temperament
Great with children
Reliable
Cons
Harder type to find
Can become over-protective
May demand attention
Potential Breeds: Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, English Mastiff, Poodle, Schnauzer, Boxer, American Bully, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Newfoundland, Bullmastiff
Well-rounded temperament
Great with children
Reliable
- Well-rounded temperament
- Great with children
- Reliable
Harder type to find
Can become over-protective
May demand attention
- Harder type to find
- Can become over-protective
- May demand attention
The classic, reliable family dog personality type is one that many visualize when they want a dog: happy yet calm, playful but not rough, sociable but not overly friendly. TV shows often portray dogs with this type of personality, especially in sitcoms revolving around the idea of families with children. A dog with this personality type usually has a great temperament and a happy demeanor, even under stressful situations.
The family dog type is hard to predict with puppies since many breeds can fit this description. A dog in this category may need more attention than other breeds, especially if it’s a dog breed that loves affection. Dog breeds that are natural guardian-type dogs will also fall into this category, so socialization is a must to prevent aggression.
5. The Watch Dog
Pros
Vigilant, Alert
Highly Aware
Cons
Excessive Barking
Requires a lot of Attention
Needs extensive socialization
Potential Breeds: Keeshond, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Pekingese, Japanese Chin, Boxer, Corgi, Beagle, Alaskan Klee Kai, Siberian Husky, German Shepherd, Poodle, Chihuahua
Vigilant, Alert
Highly Aware
- Vigilant, Alert
- Highly Aware
Excessive Barking
Requires a lot of Attention
Needs extensive socialization
- Excessive Barking
- Requires a lot of Attention
- Needs extensive socialization
The watchdog may seem like the guardian type, but not all watchdogs are natural guardians. A dog with this personality type loves to bark and alert the household of possible intruders, which can easily turn into a dog with excessive barking issues. A dog with this type of personality can be quite friendly, barking aside.
The watchdog type needs an owner that can curb excessive barking, as well as socialize them to prevent aggression or people-based fear. They may also have a “favorite” person, which can lead to possessiveness and aggression towards anyone else. A dog with the watchdog personality may also have a shrill bark, as some breeds were created for that purpose.
6. The Aristocrat
Pros
Feline-like
Prefers quieter homes
Self-assured
Cons
Can be hard to train
Not the best type for families with kids
Potential Breeds: Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Shar Pei, Chow-Chow, Afghan Hound, Akita, Poodle, Schnauzer, Airedale Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Chinese Crested Dog, Japanese Chin, Pharoah Hound, Chihuahua
Feline-like
Prefers quieter homes
Self-assured
- Feline-like
- Prefers quieter homes
- Self-assured
Can be hard to train
Not the best type for families with kids
- Can be hard to train
- Not the best type for families with kids
The aristocrat type of dog personality is the type of dog that may come off as stubborn or moody, but that’s due to its self-assured, independent nature. A dog with this personality can be active but not necessarily playful, often sitting around and watching instead. A dog with an aristocrat personality has an elitist vibe, especially breeds that attach themselves to one person.
A dog with this personality type can be a great pet, especially for quieter homes or single-pet homes. But motivating a dog with the aristocrat-type can be a challenge for training, as some may shut down when bored. However, the aristocrat type is usually an intelligent dog, which can be both a benefit and a challenge.
7. The Independent Thinker
Pros
Self-assured
Intelligent
Self-starter working type
Cons
Hard to train
May get into trouble
Pushes buttons when bored
Potential Breeds: Jack Russel Terrier, Blood Hound, Basset Hound, Siberian Husky, Cairn Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Pekingese, Chow-Chow, Chihuahua, Borzoi, Akita, Afghan Hound, Beagle
Self-assured
Intelligent
Self-starter working type
- Self-assured
- Intelligent
- Self-starter working type
Hard to train
May get into trouble
Pushes buttons when bored
- Hard to train
- May get into trouble
- Pushes buttons when bored
The independent type personality is similar to the self-assured, aristocrat type, but usually without the “elitist” vibe. A dog with this type of personality will have its own agenda and plan, which can lead to trouble. A dog with this personality type will push buttons, which can get old quickly. The independent thinker is usually a working breed that knows its job without cues so that training can be a mixed bag.
A dog with an independent thinker personality will typically enjoy the company of people but may seem a little wary of new people. They may also balk at traditional training methods, which means you’ll have to out-think the thinker. However, an independent thinker-type dog that fits right into an individual’s lifestyle can be an extremely rewarding pet to have.
8. The Social Butterfly
Pros
Sociable
Outgoing
Loves Attention
Cons
Varied energy levels
May not enjoy household with kids/pets
Potential Breeds: Papillon, Pomeranian, Keeshond, Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Newfoundland, Bichon Frise, Great Dane, Boxer, Brittany Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Maltese
Sociable
Outgoing
Loves Attention
- Sociable
- Outgoing
- Loves Attention
Varied energy levels
May not enjoy household with kids/pets
- Varied energy levels
- May not enjoy household with kids/pets
A dog with the social butterfly type personality loves to be in the spotlight, whether out in public or at home. This personality type loves to be the center of attention, sometimes to an obsessive degree. A dog with the social butterfly personality enjoys greeting everyone, regardless of its energy level.
The social butterfly type of personality doesn’t necessarily mean it enjoys being around children and may not even like other animals. The social butterfly type may also share traits with other personality types, such as the class clown or family dog types. A dog with the social butterfly type is usually a smart dog that can learn a wide variety of tricks, so competitive sports may also be an option.
9. The Athlete
Pros
Loves exercising
Can be sociable
Highly intelligent
Cons
Usually very energetic
Requires a lot of daily attention
Potential Breeds: Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd, Weimaraner, German Shorthaired Pointer, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Poodle, Doberman, Newfoundland, Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Loves exercising
Can be sociable
Highly intelligent
- Loves exercising
- Can be sociable
- Highly intelligent
Usually very energetic
Requires a lot of daily attention
- Usually very energetic
- Requires a lot of daily attention
The athlete type of dog is the one who enjoys the outdoorsy or competitive lifestyle, whether it’s long hikes in the mountains or flying through an agility course. This dog type isn’t just a dog that is physically athletic but truly lives for exercise. A dog with the athlete type of personality is ready for any challenge, as long as it’s entertaining. They are usually sociable, which is crucial for competitive sports.
Many working breeds will fit into the athlete type of personality, especially hunting and herding breeds. A dog with this type of personality will also have a lot of energy, so getting an athlete-type dog requires a significant chunk of time. A dog with this personality can be a great solo companion or family dog, as long as they can exercise daily.
10. The Old Soul
Pros
Laid-back
Wise,
Gentle
Cons
Can have bouts of energy
Can be hard to train more than basics
Potential Breeds: Greyhound, Borzoi, Irish Wolfhound, Scottish Deer Hound, Italian Greyhound, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Old English Sheepdog, Polish Lowland Sheepdog, English Mastiff, Anatolian Mastiff
Laid-back
Wise,
Gentle
- Laid-back
- Wise,
- Gentle
Can have bouts of energy
Can be hard to train more than basics
- Can have bouts of energy
- Can be hard to train more than basics
The old soul personality type is a dog that seems to have wisdom far beyond its years. They tend to have that calm, laid-back personality with a keen awareness of their surroundings. Often polite around people, a dog with the old soul type of personality tends to like quieter homes but will tolerate children.
A dog with an old soul type of personality can bring calmness to others, almost like a beacon of peace. They seem to know exactly what a person needs, whether it’s comfort or space. A dog with this type of personality can be tricky to train beyond basic obedience, preferring to nap or hang around instead. However, some energetic breeds have old-soul types of personalities and may still have some bouts of energy.
•You might also like:
Featured Image Credit: danielle828, Pixabay
