Do Dogs Have Pup-Sonality?

Personality is the set of qualities and traits that define a person's character and set them apart from others. So, when talking about dogs, we can't quite use "personality," since that's focused on people — but we can talk about "pup-sonality."

Pup-sonality is the unique set of traits, characteristics, and demeanor each dog has, setting it apart from every other dog. There are many different pup-sonalities, and they're also shapeable during each dog's growth and training. Want to know more about your dog's pup-sonality? Let's dive in.

What Influences a Dog's Pup-Sonality?

Many factors can lead a dog to have a calmer, more affectionate pup-sonality, or a more active, watchful one. Although it's true every dog is born with very similar instincts, some have them much more pronounced, giving them a much more intense character.

These are some of the factors that directly influence a dog's pup-sonality:

• Breed / Genetics / Instincts
• Environment
• Training received
• Life stage

Pup-Sonality Based on Breed

Every dog breed carries genetics selected over many generations, meaning a dog's pup-sonality is largely tied to its own breed.

Boxers have a very playful, active pup-sonality, while German Shepherds have a hardworking, active, guardian-type pup-sonality. Other breeds like the Andalusian Rat Hunting Dog have a curious, active, hunting-oriented pup-sonality, while a Rottweiler has a family-oriented, calm, but very protective and watchful pup-sonality.

Mixed-breed dogs, ones that combine two or more breeds, have a completely unique pup-sonality we can only discover once we adopt them and live with them.

The dog's breed is also what determines how developed its instincts are — every dog has the same basic instincts, but some are much more hunting-driven, hardworking, or protective than others. This is due to genetic selection over many years.

Environment Also Influences Pup-Sonality

Another big factor that greatly shapes our dog's pup-sonality is the environment it lives in. Living free in a town surrounded by nature, other animals, and people to play with daily is very different from being tied to a doghouse (animal abuse) its whole life.

It's also different to be in a big yard with your family versus leaving our dog alone for many hours every day in a small apartment. The environment a dog lives in greatly affects its socialization and, as a result, its pup-sonality.

Training Is Essential

A dog with a very active, strong pup-sonality needs more intensive training to balance that excess. So, the training we give our dog is essential for it to have a more or less outgoing, social character.

Guard-type and large dogs are actually the ones that generally need the most intensive training. If their pup-sonality is a bit aggressive, we need them to obey us in any dangerous situation.

Pup-Sonality Based on Life Stage

We should also understand our dog's pup-sonality can change a lot throughout its life and its different stages. While puppies have a very curious, exploratory, playful pup-sonality, elderly dogs generally have a less playful, calmer pup-sonality.

On another note, females that have just had a litter can suddenly show a much more protective pup-sonality — something completely natural stemming from their own survival and protection instinct.

Standards of Canine Pup-Sonality

Just like with human personality, dogs can also be classified into groups based on their pup-sonality. Here are the most common ones.

Keep in mind that every dog is unique — so it may match some traits and not others.

Guard Dogs

This type of dog's pup-sonality is heavily shaped by the protective instinct bred for over years and years of breed selection. The German Shepherd, the Pit Bull, the Rottweiler, or the Doberman, among many others, are part of a large group of quintessential guard dogs.

Their own genetics make them good guardians, but despite having a watchful, protective, guarding pup-sonality, they can also be very affectionate and playful with their family.

Playful Dogs

Very different from the ones mentioned above, we find the group of the most fun dogs on the planet, ones that naturally have a fun, playful, somewhat clownish pup-sonality.

Some examples include the Pug, the French or English Bulldog, the Boxer, the Saint Bernard, or the Border Collie, among many others. This doesn't mean they can't also be a bit protective, but generally, their playful instincts will dominate over the rest.

Reserved Pup-Sonality

There are also somewhat shy dogs, with a reserved pup-sonality toward strangers and one that's watchful and sometimes even a bit unsettling with their own family, as is the case with the Dachshund or the Pinscher.

Can a Dog's Pup-Sonality Be Changed?

Yes and no. We can correct a dog's less-than-ideal behaviors, but we can never change its pup-sonality, since a dog is a dog. Those born with a protective instinct will always be guardians, while those born with a playful instinct will always be fun and active.

Pup-sonality can be shaped, corrected, and guided, but it can never be suppressed. Dogs are who they are, and we need to learn to love them exactly as they are. That said, if something is harmful for them or us, we can always ask a canine ethologist or professional trainer for help.

And now that you know what dogs are like, what's your dog's pup-sonality?