Let’s start by saying this: stereotyping and cataloging people based on surface observations is hardly a way to get to know someone. However, there are sometimes shared traits among groups of people. Fortunately for dog people, pretty much all of those clichés are nothing but awesome.
Here are five positive stereotypes about dog people that are almost always true.
1. They tend to be friendly
After watching your pup sniff a stranger’s crotch at the dog park, there are few things that are able to throw you for a loop in the social realm. Dogs are pack animals who need lots of socialization, and dog people are, too.
2. They know the value of loyalty
Dogs are great companions because of their loyalty. And since you expect this loyalty from the furriest member of your family, you often give your loyalty to others you consider near and dear to your heart. Dogs give unconditional love, and dog people have no qualms about giving that to the people in their life who truly deserve it.
3. They also know the value of treats
Dogs can be easily trainable with the right set of treats. Sit? Stay? Roll Over? All are attainable with the promise of a peanut butter-filled Kong.
Much like your dog, you may work off of a reward system to help you get through some of the less pleasant tasks of your day. Need to get that report to your boss by 5 p.m.? There’s a slice of pie waiting for you once you hit “send.” Treat yourself!
4. They pick up on social cues, fast
Dogs react based on social cues. Things like the way you move, your voice volume, and your tone are all things that dogs use to assess how they should react.
Watching your canine’s reactions to your cues can, in turn, make you more aware of those cues. In a sense, that can give you a better understanding of the non-verbal communication that other people use and make you more socially aware.
Much like your dog, you, too, can normally get a good read on a room — not just with dogs, but with people. You know whether your co-worker wants to be left alone or wants to chat about an upcoming project. Some people may think you have a sixth sense. You do — the pup sense.
5. They tend to follow their code and with lots of energy
Combine all of the above traits — the love of socialization, loyalty, and the ability to pick up on social cues — and you have one energetic, rule-abiding citizen.
Because of dog people’s agreeableness and conscientiousness, they tend to follow the rules that help everyone get along. They have a moral code that takes others’ needs into consideration.
We all know that Fido may break the rules every once and a while — and you may, too — but your combined loyalty and conscientiousness make you aware of how you’re affecting others.
