Why dogs resemble their owners: research results

If you look closely at a dog and its owner, you can see the similarities. Research shows that people often choose pets that resemble them.

And it's not just about looks. People instinctively choose a dog that also matches their personality, LiveScience writes.

"Although it's not a universal phenomenon for all owners and dogs, there is some evidence that purebred dogs and owners tend to resemble each other to some extent," said Katrina Holland, an expert at the UK animal welfare charity.

Several studies have found that people can successfully match images of purebred dogs with images of their owners at levels above random probability. In one study, participants were able to match dogs to their owners regardless of whether they were told to choose real dog-owner pairs or simply choose pairs that looked the same.

Another study from 2015 found that facial features, especially eyes, are more important for perceived similarity than qualities such as size, hairstyle, or physical shape. When an expert showed the study participants only the eyes of real and fake dog-owner pairs, they were quite accurate in identifying the real owners and their pets. But when they masked the eye area, the success rate dropped to 50%.

A 2004 study showed that dogs and their owners do not acquire common traits over time. Usually, the resemblance is noticeable from the first days of cohabitation. This suggests that people choose dogs that are initially similar to them.

Studies of human behavior have repeatedly shown that people choose friends and partners who are similar to them. The same thing happens when we choose pets.

"We prefer dogs that look like us because of the 'simple exposure effect'. That is, people prefer familiar objects (or similar features they see in the mirror) to those they have not seen before or rarely see," Katrina Holland explained.

A great example of the effect of simple exposure can be seen in music: a song that you may not have liked the first time you heard it becomes a favorite if you listen to it every day afterward. It's the same with appearance: people see their own faces all the time, so repeated exposure leads them to favor features similar to their own, including those of dogs.

However, the researchers emphasize that it's not just about looks. "The results of a recent study indicate that dogs and their owners are similar to each other on the Big Five personality dimensions: extraversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism," Holland said. These findings also support the theory that people choose pets that are similar to them not only in appearance but also in personality.

However, animal behavior experts emphasize that you shouldn't choose a pet based on looks alone. "Taking the time to fully consider all aspects of dog ownership will help you set yourself up for a long and enjoyable relationship with your new dog," Katrina Holland emphasized.

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