Understanding dog personalities: a guide for pet parents

Updated 14 June 2024

What are dog personalities?

Whether you’re on two legs or four, personality is what makes you stand out from the crowd. Dog personalities help us predict how our four-legged friends will react and interact with the world around them based on their unique set of traits, characteristics, and behavioral tendencies. 

While these can be inherited from furry parents and their breed history, lifestyle and upbringing also play a part in shaping dog personality. Now it’s time to put your pooch pals under the microscope as we uncover the top five dog personalities, and how breed history can affect dog personality, too.

The five common dog personalities

• The Leader (Alpha) Dog
• The Laid-Back Dog
• The Shy or Timid Dog
• The Anxious or Nervous Dog
• The Independent Dog

The Leader (Alpha) Dog

When it comes to dog breed personalities, this is the one that comes up trumps. The Leader dog personality packs a punch and they’re not afraid to show it; they’re assertive, confident, and pretty self-sufficient (until you whip out the treats, that is). This clever canine personality loves to be at the head of the table and will be happy to take charge when important decisions (like which trail to follow on the dog walk) need to be made. They won’t think twice when standing up for themselves and will be sure to put you in your place if you step out of line. From small dogs and sassy Jack Russel Terriers to mixed breeds and noble Border Collies, leader doggies come in all shapes and sizes! 

Training the alpha can have its ups and downs but it’s extremely rewarding. Pet parents must assert themselves as the leader of the pack to earn their pup’s respect, and be firm, confident, and consistent in their dog training. If strict training isn't your cup of tea, maybe this type of personality isn't for you.

These pups make great guard dogs when trained with positive reinforcement methods, they also need regular exercise and mental stimulation to keep them engaged and happy. It’s important to socialize these natural born leaders from an early age - they’ll love showing other pups who's boss and perhaps even teaching them a thing or two. Yup, it's safe to say the leader dog personality is one to be reckoned with (in the best way possible, of course).

The Laid-Back Dog

The laid-back dog personality loves making new friends and makes excellent family pets because of their ability to be gentle and patient with young children. These social butterflies enjoy the simple pleasures in life such as napping in a sunny spot or a leisurely stroll in the park, bringing an air of calm to everyday activities and warming the hearts of those they meet along the way. They're flexible and adaptable with a glass-half-full approach, often staying cool as a cucumber when faced with changes in their environment or routine. If choosing a dog breed based on personality, Golden Retrievers are the quintessential happy-go-lucky pups, and French Bulldogs are also known for their ability to go with the flow. So, if it's a no-worries dog personality type you're after, these breeds are a great place to start your research before welcoming a pup home.

When training and interacting with laid-back pooches, it’s all about embracing their relaxed nature and building a bond based on trust and mutual respect. They’re eager to please but tend to have lower energy levels, so it’s important to keep training sessions short, fun, and positive. Patience is a virtue with chilled-out canine companions of this particular dog personality, so let them take life at their own pace. 

The Shy or Timid Dog

When judging dog breeds by personality, shy or timid pups like the Maltese and Great Dane are the sweetest of souls, but they may find it hard to be themselves around furry friends and humans they don’t know. Despite this, these fluffy wallflowers can form incredibly deep bonds with their favorite humans, showing a level of loyalty that knows no bounds. While it may take some time for them to warm to your new dog sitter, once they feel safe and secure they can be the most devoted and loving canine companions. So, if it's a deep bond you're after with your canine (who isn't, really?) welcoming one of these dog breed personalities can be a seriously rewarding for pet parents new and old.

It’s important to be gentle and patient when training a shy pup as they can be easily overwhelmed. Slow and steady wins the race and it can take a while for them to build up trust. Create an environment that makes your pup feel safe and calm, and use positive reinforcement based training alongside lots of treats and praise.

The Anxious or Nervous Dog

The anxious dog personality can have problems with a whole host of nerve-racking triggers, from loud noises and new environments to unfamiliar humans and new furry friends. You may notice them panting, trembling, or showing signs of restlessness when faced with a stressful situation, and they can have a tendency to bark or growl if they feel threatened. Anxious dogs often seek comfort from their pet parents if they’re feeling nervous and can be more clingy than other doggies. And while dogs and their personalities are sometimes related to breed, anxious dogs often become so due to their upbringing, whether it's trauma-related, or they've simply not been socialized enough.

This bundle of nerves can be sensitive to changes in their routine or unexpected surprises. Their day should have a predictable structure to it, and their environment should be calming and reassuring. Working with a professional dog trainer can help you create a training plan for your pup which aims to build up their confidence using gentle, patient, positive methods. Nervous pups may also find it comforting to have a crate or safe space to retreat to when things get too much. 

The Independent Dog

The independent dog personality marches to the beat of their own drum and they don’t need no human (well, that’s what they think - they can still make great family dogs). These free-spirited Fidos ooze confidence, preferring to be on their own solo mission rather than glued to their pet parent’s side, often because their ancestors were working dogs. They’re adventurous, self-reliant, and happy to entertain themselves with toys or a sniff around the garden.

Independent dogs are often extremely loyal dog breeds and form strong bonds with their favorite humans despite themselves. They won’t need 24/7 attention but they’ll still find ways to show you they love you, whether it’s with a nuzzle of the head or a wag of the tail. These lone wolves can be stubborn at times and patience and persistence will be needed when training an independent pup. Once they’ve mastered their commands though, they’ll be the best of buddies!

Dog personality types based on breed history

Dog personality is determined by many factors, including breed, socialization, training, and any significant events (like trauma, unfortunately) in their lives so far. Along with all of those ways your pooch’s personality comes to life, many also agree that another factor affecting dog personalities is their breed history. It’s thought that what a dog has been bred to do for generations upon generations upon centuries affects their instincts, or at least their tendencies and sometimes their temperament. So with this in mind, we’re going to explore dog types and personalities based on their history as working dogs:

• Sporting dogs
• Non-Sporting dogs
• Herding dogs
• Drafting dogs
• Detection dogs
• Hound dogs

Sporting dogs

Sporting dogs have been bred over the centuries for their hunting instincts and physical abilities. This dog personality is well-tempered and intelligent, plus they’re athletic, full of energy, and always eager to please their humans.

Sporting dog breeds:

• English Cocker Spaniel
• English Springer Spaniel
• English Setter
• Labrador Retriever
• Golden Retriever
• Vizsla

Non-sporting dogs

According to the American Kennel Club, it can be difficult to make generalizations about non-sporting dogs and their canine personality because the group is made up of such a variety of breeds. Although, many are great watchdogs and house dogs, and make for very rewarding furry friends.

Non-sporting dog breeds:

• French Bulldog
• Bichon Frise
• Boston Terrier
• Dalmatian
• Chow Chow
• Shar Pei

Herding dogs

Herding dogs are often on the easier end of the spectrum to train as they’re known for their intelligence and loyalty towards their humans - great dog breed personality traits if we do say so! These pups are also athletic and filled with energy. In fact, if you welcome a herding dog into your home, you might even get herded yourself!

Herding dog breeds:

• Border Collie
• Australian Cattle Dog
• Australian Shepherd
• German Shepherd
• Welsh Cardigan Corgi
• Old English Sheepdog

Drafting dogs

Just in case you haven’t heard of them before, drafting dogs were bred for their strength, helping around farms to pull sometimes heavy carts. Drafting dog personalities are pretty easy going - they’re known for their mental stamina and easy going nature.

Drafting dog breeds:

• Newfoundlands 
• Bernese Mountain Dogs
• Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs
• Rottweilers
• Saint Bernards
• Leonbergers

Detection dogs

Of all the dog personality types, detection dogs have to be one of the most motivated. They’re known for being easy to train and eager to please, and their obedience means they’re perfect for the job.

Detection dog breeds:

• German Shepherds
• Belgian Malinois
• Bloodhound
• Boxers
• Doberman
• Beagle

Hounds

When it comes to the hound dog types and personalities, they’re made up of several breeds with one thing in common: they were bred to help humans hunt. Some using their eyesight and others their sharp sense of smell, hounds are known for their independence, sometimes aloof nature and single-mindedness. 

Hound dog breeds:

• Basset Hound
• American Foxhound
• Dachshund
• Bloodhound
• Whippet
• Greyhound

Understanding your dog's personality

Understanding dog breed personality traits means knowing what to expect from your pooch pal, and creating a training program that'll work for them. Not only does it prepare pet parents for all their funny, furry quirks, but it can also help to ensure owners lead a lifestyle that matches their chosen dog breed’s personality.

Knowing the factors that affect dog personality can also help owners have an understanding for the reasons behind aggressive behavior when rescuing pups, and what to do about it. Plus, having an understanding of dog breeds and their personalities can also be helpful if you’re dog sitting or meeting a new pooch pal for the first time. 

Now you know the different dog personalities, how do you determine which personality type your furry friend falls under? Dog breeds can be a great place to start, but while your Shiba Inu might be the natural leader of the pack, it’s never a good idea to determine dog personalities by breed alone. It’s also important not to jump to any conclusions too early, your three-month-old Siberian Husky might be by your side at all times, but they can grow up to have quite the independent streak. The best way to understand dog personality traits is by examining your furry friend’s behavior over a period of time. This is best done once they reach adulthood, by which time they will have been exposed to all the sights and sounds of the world around them. 

Once you have an understanding of your dog’s personality, you can begin to tailor your interactions and activities to their needs. If your pooch pal’s more of a scaredy cat, make sure they’re living in a calming, stress-free environment, respect their boundaries, and never force them into situations they’re going to feel uncomfortable in. If your furry friend’s got an independent streak, leave them to their own devices rather than smothering them with cuddles. 

Curious to know if you and your future furry friend are a perfect match? Take our dog personality quiz and discover which breed is your ideal companion!

How to gain a dog's trust

If you've got a nervy pup that's struggling to warm to you, find out ten ways to gain a dog's trust in our handy guide.