Northern Hills Magazine 2015 Easter Issue | Page 7

a Poodle or a Bichon Frise. Coren adds that “People who get dogs that require special grooming, especially fancy clipping- such as Poodles-are often people who care a great deal about their own appearance and grooming.” TOY COLLECTOR? Size also matters when it comes to deciphering a person by his or her pooch. Those same fastidious folks who cringe at the thought of dog hair on the décor are also likely to grow faint at the thought of large, dirty paws and the puddles of drool that can go along with big dogs, so they will most often stick to the smaller breeds. Big dogs also typically require more exercise, so owners of such dogs are generally those that like to be active in the outdoors, people who are probably more interested in sports than in designer drapes. “A SUSPICIOUS PERSON WILL ALSO WANT A DOG THAT IS ATTENTIVE ONLY TO THEM, AND WILL FOSTER THAT DOG’S SUSPICION OF OTHER PEOPLE” Then, of course, there is the macho factor: big dogs appeal to the male ego in ways that even the snappiest armpit piranha never could. As Coren says, “People often choose dogs to reflect their own body image. Big men or men who feel that they are tough, powerful, or in control seem to like big dogs, and little dainty women seem to like small dogs. However, there are always exceptions-thus Jack Nickleson has a flock of Shih Tzus.” ANTISOCIAL ANIMAL? Your dog’s personality provides yet another glimpse into what kind of WWW.NORTHERNHILLS.CO.ZA person you are. Friendly, outgoing dogs usually have sociable, outgoing owners, while more standoffish dogs often belong to less gregarious individuals. “Shy and less-secure people often want a dog that is only attentive to them, and proves to them that they are somehow special,” says Coren. A suspicious person will also want a dog that is attentive only to them, and will foster that dog’s suspicion of other people. Such people may be attracted to the guard dog breeds, but as Coren explains, there is more than one type attracted to the guarding breeds. “The two extremes of people who like guard dogs are those who want a dog to make them look as tough as they feel they are, and those who worry about the state of their world and want a dog to protect them.” Think about your dog’s training (or lack thereof), as well, if you’re wondering what people will assume about you from your dog. According to Coren, “A poorly trained dog often says that the owner doesn’t spend enough time with the dog, or that the owner really doesn’t have much empathy with other people, so he or she is not bothered by the fact the dog is pestering or annoying others.” A highly trained dog, on the other hand, can be evidence that a person simply loves interacting and working with their dog, or it can be a sign that a person has a strict or controlling personality. As for aggressive dogs, Coren says, “If a dog has a persistent aggression problem and is encouraged by the owner in such behaviour, it is likely that the owner has a persistent hostility problem of his own.” BEDROOM SOFTY? How about your dog’s living and sleeping quarters? A dog that has the run of the entire house probably belongs to a caring person who sees a dog as a member of the family. The owner of a dog kept outside, locked into a kennel, or kept on a chain, may lack empathy or see a dog as more of a possession than a friend or family member. If Precious sleeps on her own, custom-made, canopied velvet bed, you are indulgent and likely have no children; if Fido beds down snuggled up next to you, you are likely to be soft-hearted and affectionate. HEALTH-FOOD HOUND? Even what your dog eats provides others with a glimpse into your personality. If you cook or prepare your dog’s food yourself, this indicates that you are highly health conscious and you probably eat healthy foods yourself. You might also be a bit of a skeptic, as you doubt the claims made by dog food companies who say their foods are healthy for your dog. You have likely read one or more books on dog nutrition, suggesting that you are educated and self-directed. However, this doesn’t mean that a person who buys their dog’s food is a naïve hillbilly whose idea of haute cuisine is a freshly opened bag of pork rinds. What we can deduce about owners ݡ