do different breeds of dog have different personalities?

Question

if so, how is this so, and can you think of examples

Answer 1

Yes, breeds have different personalities - how could they not? They were all breed for different purposes!

Since purebreds are bred from a limited gene pool, there are 'breed personalities' overall, but always with some 'mavericks' from time-to-time.

I have had mostly Boxers, and they are exuberant, playful, silly, happy & cuddly. Also have owned several Rottweilers: more serious, protective, territorial, calmer. But both being in the Working Group, they have a need to keep busy with a 'job', needed obedience training, and like to do things to please their owners.

Toy breeds tend to be more clingy & owner dependent, Terriers tend to be more independent and rough & tumble. Retrievers like to play fetch & have toys, sticks, etc. in their mouths, Siberian Huskys love to pull & run, Beagles love to follow a scent & bay, etc. These all have basis in what the breed was developed to do, by man manipulating their genes through selective breeding. Which is why is is SOOOOO important to research & learn about a breed's personality & needs before buying a dog - there is much more to consider than just liking how it looks!

Answer 2

Of course. Just like people - they have different personalities. And intelligence levels.
You have to decide what you want out of a dog. And how much care you are willing to provide them with. Some of them need a great deal of exercise, while others, not as much. Some are guard dogs and some (like my Golden Retriever) will bark fiercely, but would not harm a living soul - they would just lick them to death. I have a female Golden Retriever (the females do not get as large as the males. The Goldens are very silly, happy dogs. They love to play all the time. They do want a lot of exercise - at least one run to the park a day - preferably 2 times a day. They are really, REALLY people dogs, and seem to suffer and become melancholy if left alone. They are good with children and the elderly. They are intelligent and highly trainable.

Another really smart dog is the poodle.

Generally, from what I have seen - the small dogs bark a lot and seem to be somewhat aggressive. I will admit, I prefer Goldens over any other breed. If you are going to get a dog, I cannot recommed Golden Retrievers too highly. Do make sure, however, that you get them from a reputable breeder. You want to be certain there are no inherent problems with hip dysplasia.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Most dogs were originally bred for certain tasks, making behaviors quite similar within the breed.Pugs were bred to be companion animals, so they are laid back and want nothing more than to make people happy. They are mostly interested in people and other pugs and don't make very good playmates for other dogs. They are quiet and gentle. However this does make them the same, The pug I grew up with and the one I have now are 2 distinctly different personalities. The one I have now is distinctly an Alpha Dog. She is much more stubborn than my 1st dog and wants nothing to do with being primped. There are many similarities within a breed but every dog does have it's own personality.

Answer 4

it depends mainly on what they were originally bred for, temperement of parents and how they are treated as Pups.
As the owner of a lot of German Shepherds I can say they are loyal, gentle dogs and as pups can be quite boistrous if not taught manners. Best dog ever in the right hands.
Greyhounds are one of the laziest breeds I've ever known. One quick sprint and they want to spend the rest of the time lounging around doing as little as possible.
Collies as pups are great fun! They try and round up everything and sit looking confused when it doesn't work. They need a lot of exercise and are happiest when given something to do which is why you see so many in Agility and Obedience competitions.
I could go on but wont or I'll bore you to tears.
Every dog has a different personality because like us they are unique!

Answer 5

Yes.
I have 2 dogs, 1 a Irish wolfhound who is very loyal and she will protect me if she feels threatened but listens to my commands, but as a sight hound will take chase of things like birds or rabbits as they were breed for hunting and as guardians.
And a St Bernard,who is once again very loyal but will spend most of his time tracing scents, which is what he was trained for in the alps by the monks to rescuse people, but before that used as wach dogs and protectors.
Both are very affectionat but would look after me no matter what, so iam very lucky to have this bond, i just hope it will never be tested to the full.
However i lost 2 dogs to old age recently (a wolfhound rottweiler x, and a terrier) and the seemed to train the others their traits, so i can say from experiance, the under dogs learn from the pack leader even if its a different breed.
So i think they can not only have their own personalities but take tips from the leader in the pack.

Answer 6

Yes they do.....it all depends on what the breed was breed for....I know my Brits are very hyper and active dogs....and every great dane My parents have had has always been a lazy pup that really just wants to lie around and do nothing.....

Some breeds are hyper, others just like to relax.....it all a matter of breeding.......

Each dogs has a different personality also....just like people each one is different


fOR THE RECORD GERMAN SHEPARDS ARE NOT NATUALLY VICIOUS....JUST LIKE ANY DOG, THEY HAVE TO BE TRAINED THAT WAY....

Answer 7

I have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and he loves to be picked up and cuddled. My grandchildren roll all over him, pull at his ears , open his mouth and look inside and he just accepts it. I would trust him not to hurt anyone.
I also have a very small mongrel with a lot of terrier in her. She enjoys a cuddle but if you try to pick her up when she doesn't want it, you are wasting your time. If we have a lot of visitors she will go off and hide out of the way and I don't entirely trust her with the kids.
If you go for a run with a collie, a natural sheep dog, he will always run out to the side and try to get in front of you and head you off.
A corgi is a greedy dog and can be very nasty, particularly where food is involved. (sorry Ma'am)
Yes all dogs are different and every breed has it's own particular traits.

Answer 8

Dogbreedinfo.com is the site with the answers. Each dog has its own personality, but dog breeds as a whole do have tendencies. Dog Breed Info .com is a wonderful source of information. My favorite dog. English Mastiff. Loyal. Non Aggressive. Dry Mouth. Low Energy. 200 lbs of cuddlebug.

Answer 9

That is why so many people are unhappy with the dog they get, they can be very different.

Dogs were bred for different reasons. My breed, Whippets, were bred to run down prey, on their own, without direction from people. So they have a high prey drive (as do the other Hounds). They are also not as trainable, being they were bred to hunt on their own (whether by sight or smell) and make their own decisions.

Terriers were bred to go down hole and go after nasty vermin, so they tend to be diggers and have 'hard' temperaments.

Shelties and other herding breeds were bred to herd livestock, often nipping at their heels and barking, so it should come as no surprise when herding dogs bark and nip at the heel of the kids running around the backyard.



ezee - " i had a weimeraner.... both gaurding dogs but my dobe is a lot more protective of me than the weimeraner!

Well, maybe that is because the Weim is a hunting/sporting breed. Your Dobe, being a guarding breed, SHOULD be more protective.

Oh! I thought you said "both gaurding dogs".

Answer 10

Breeds in general have similar traits that are specific to their breeds. Boxers should be confident and alert, some breeds are known for being outgoing, others for being more reserved and quiet.

But as for personalities? Each dog is uniquely individual, just like people.