Do you see the resemblance?
Posted on 02/10/2006 10:18:31 AM PST by girlangler
News Release March 29, 2004
Study Reveals That Dogs Resemble Their Owners As a Result of Selection
Do people really resemble their pets? A resemblance in a movie or on TV between a pet and its owner has occasionally tickled our funny bone. The results of a recent study suggest that a resemblance between owner and dog may be actually determined by the pet lover's selection.
The research, by Michael M. Roy and Nicholas Christenfeld, both of the University of California, San Diego, found that when people pick a pet, they seek one that, at some level, resembles them. These findings will be published in the May issue of Psychological Science, a publication of the American Psychological Society.
The study investigated two possible scenarios that could produce similarity between people and their dogs. One would involve some convergence in features over time, meaning the similarity had grown with the length of ownership. The other would involve people selecting dogs that are like them. (This second situation suggests greater similarity between people and their purebred dogs than between people and their mutts, because a mutt puppy's final appearance is unpredictable, and its selection might also involve less foresight and deliberation.)
Forty-five dogs (25 purebreds and 20 mutts) and their owners were separately photographed. Owners were photographed from the waist up, wearing whatever clothes they had chosen that day and whatever facial expression they chose for the picture. Dogs were photographed facing forward, with the whole dog visible. (The dogs also made whatever facial expression they chose, though often with more emphasis on a steadily lolling tongue.) Judges were shown a picture of one owner and a picture of that owner's dog and one other dog, with the task of picking out the true match.
The judges were able to most often able to properly match the owner and dog. The judges found no resemblance between mutts and their owners, providing evidence that owners tend to choose a dog that looks like them, rather than owners and dogs grow alike over time.
For more information, contact Christenfeld at nchristenfeld@ucsd.edu, or for a complete copy of this article, visit the APS Media Center at www.psychologicalscience.org/media.
Psychological Science is ranked among the top 10 general psychology journals for impact by the Institute for Scientific Information. The American Psychological Society represents advocating science-based research in the public's interest.
Thanks fanfan!
Charlie will turn 10 this year, though 'Beardies' (Bearded Collie) stay puppy-like and playful until they can hardly move. They're great dogs, excellent with kids and people (though Charlie can be a pain around other dogs), and very loyal.
He's the second we've had since I was young. Rosie, our first, used to herd us when we were little in addition to the cat. And Charlie would jump on the trampoline with me when we had one. I only wish he was here at school with me!
If you're thinking of getting a dog, and can find one, I'd recommend them 100%.
Are you crying in that picture?
Dang straight.
Without salt, too.
Do you see the resemblance?
Don't see it.
I've seen the Presa Canaria on TV but can't place the Patterdale.
Please, You forgot to develop that film till now, so it's a good time to run out and get that done because I'll be asking you for more pix soon!
That's what I like, he looks a lot like a pug in the photos, but has a good muzzle, goes with the face, too.
A friend had a pitbull/dobie mix for a very long time. It raised a family, babysat the kids, was wonderful to everyone and smart.
I haven't cried since 1992. And then only briefly!
I was over at Eaker's and he maced me when I tried to steal a puppy.
Not crying, merely a chemical reaction.
Sure...
HUMBLE IS A SENSITIVE MAN!!!!
ALERT THE MEDIA!!!!!!!
He's really cute!
We have 3 dogs already, and one is named Charlie.
An Australian Sheppard.
Ping
That coonhound is -
Aww! Love his eyes too. Herd dogs are great pets. Has he ever gotten to play with sheep yet? We took Charlie to a friends farm where they had maybe 20-ish sheep and let him loose in the pen. He was able to keep them grouped up quite well, and when one got away he brought it back instantly. Neat instincts! Are you others Australian Shepherds as well?
Hmmm, a consensus!
First time ever on FR!
With friends like us.....
Smooches to your puppy!
How cute and they are really loving dogs
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
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