Does Your Personality Affect Your Dog? Here's How You Can Find Out

by Kristin Butler When I adopted my dog Kia from a puppy rescue center three years ago, I became a member of a growing sub-culture of people who focus their time, money, and love on their dogs. Once valued for their ability to perform work, dogs are now more often considered to be a part of the family. This trend is evidenced by an increasing number of pet friendly hotels, restaurants, and workplaces in our communities; by brain imaging research that indicates we love our dogs like we love our kids; and by economic statistics that show we are spending more money than ever on our four-legged friends. Despite dogs’ more elevated status in our society, according to the Center for Canine Behavior Studies, four million of them are still surrendered to shelters by their owners each year due to the dogs’ behavior problems, and 2.2 million are euthanized. Last ...