Study shows differences between dog, cat people

HOUSTON – Are you a dog or a cat person? Your answer may tell a lot about your personality, according to a University of Texas study.

UT psychologist Sam Gosling found that those who call themselves "dog people" are more extraverted, more agreeable and more conscientious than self-described "cat people."

Those who prefer cats are more neurotic, but also more open than their canine-loving counterparts.

"This research suggests there are significant differences on major personality traits between dog people and cat people," Gosling said. "Given the tight psychological connections between people and their pets, it is likely that the differences between dogs and cats may be suited to different human personalities."

As part of the research at the University of Texas, 4,565 volunteers were asked whether they were dog people, cat people, neither or both. The same group was given a 44-item assessment that measured them on the so-called Big Five personality dimensions psychologists often use to study personalities.

According to the findings:

• Forty-six percent of respondents described themselves as dog people, while 12 percent said they were cat people. Almost 28 percent said they were both and 15 percent said they were neither.
• Dog people were generally about 15 percent more extraverted, 13 percent more agreeable and 11 percent more conscientious than cat people.
• Cat people were generally about 12 percent more neurotic and 11 percent more open than dog people.