Find Your Match
Some people are able to form lasting and warm relationships with their dogs. But, others don't get much joy from their pets. Stanley Coren, professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, believes that this occurs because people are not matched correctly to their dogs. The best matches happen when the personality of the person fits to the behavioral traits of the dog. The following system is Dr. Coren's way to look at dog breeds, illustrated in his 1998 book, Why We Love The Dogs We Do: How To Find the Dog That Matches Your Personality (published by The Free Press).

Here are all the dog breeds grouped by behavioral characteristics and temperament. After checking them out, click here to Take the Test!

Group 1. FRIENDLY DOGS  (includes affectionate and genial dogs)
Friendliness and approachability are the defining traits of this group. All of these dogs like people and tend to seek them out. They tend not be be particularly dominant or protective, and thus useless as guard dogs.

Group 2. PROTECTIVE DOGS  (includes territorial and dominant dogs)
This group is the opposite of the Friendly group. These dogs make pretty good watchdogs, and the larger ones make good guard dogs. They tend to establish a territory, which is usually their home, and act quite protective about it.

Group 3. INDEPENDENT DOGS  (includes personable & strong-willed dogs)   
This group is quite accepting when it comes to interacting with people. However, they don't seek out human companionship the same way that the dogs in the Friendly Group (1) do. They also may be a bit pushy or dominant around other dogs. These are dogs with their own minds, who will appear to be often more interested in their own plans than in those of their human masters.

Group 4. SELF-ASSURED DOGS  (includes spontaneous, sometimes audacious dogs)
This group's dogs are mostly compact in size, yet quite sure of themselves. They make good watchdogs since they will readily sound the alarm when anyone approaches their home. Spontaneous and outrageous in their behaviors, they are often amusing to watch. 

Group 5. CONSISTENT DOGS  (includes self-contained and home-loving dogs)
This group's dogs are very predictable. Whether timid or pushy, calm or jumpy, their behavior from day to day will be the same regardless of the time or situation. Small, self-contained dogs, they will allow you to be affectionate, but can live happily with little caressing. They like being at home & are often content to rest quietly across the room from you. 

Group 6. STEADY DOGS  (includes solid, good-natured and tolerant dogs)
This group's dogs vary in size but all tend to be quiet indoors and will settle in easily and not fuss if confined for long periods. Agreeable around people, they like human company. They are also somewhat predictable in their day-to-day behavior, as seen with the Consistent Dogs (Group 5).

Group 7. CLEVER DOGS  (includes observant and trainable dogs)
These intelligent dogs have a serious work ethic and willingness to learn. This makes them the easiest breeds to train for most tasks. Always scanning their environment for new things, they make good watchdogs. And being people-oriented, these dogs make good workmates and companions.