Does my dog really look like me?
Is it the drooping cheeks or is it the stoic facial expression that makes this fatal resemblance between Edgar and his male St. Bernard, Sam? And doesn't Lisa have exactly the same googly eyes as her poodle lady Miss Molly. Not to mention her dark curls? And why is Julian's body just as sinewy as that of his Vizsla bitch Donna? Is it all just a coincidence when the owner and their four-legged friend are like two peas in a pod? When they seem to be cut from the same cloth in terms of stature, hairstyle, facial expressions or behavior? No, say scientists from various faculties. They have investigated the phenomenon of human-animal twins and have discovered some interesting facts.
Similarity between dog and dog owner
Anyone who would have thought that dogs and humans simply become closer in the course of their lives together and therefore look more and more alike is mistaken. The solution to the animal's reflection is more multi-faceted than you might think and is "like goes with like". Even when choosing their future family member, researchers have found that people - whether consciously or unconsciously - already look for a dog that is similar to them in some way. Psychologists Nicholas Christenfeld and Michael M. Roy from the University of California in San Diego suspect that people want a creature that is like them.
No wonder, then, that bundles of temperament look for an Australian Shepherd and couch potatoes for a more leisurely bulldog. And that hairdressers love Bearded Collies and the older gentleman with the rings around his eyes thinks Bassets are pretty cute. However, the scientists' thesis only applies to pedigree dogs, not to mixed breeds. Only in the case of mixed-breed dogs could one predict, even in puppyhood, how they would look and behave later on.
My dog, my twin: The study on the theory
For their study, the scientists showed 28 selected test subjects photos of 45 dog owners. They put two dog photos with each of them. The test persons had to guess which of the dogs really belonged to the person in the photo. They were right in two out of three cases. The Japanese psychologist Sadahiko Nakajima wanted to know even more and asked himself what the most common similarity between owner and dog was. It's the eyes! He was able to determine this with the help of 502 students to whom he, like his American colleagues, had submitted photos.
The dog adapts to the human
Nevertheless, the length of time a dog and its owner have lived together is not necessarily a criterion for similarity in terms of appearance. In terms of behaviour, however, it is. A dog adapts to its human in about 80 percent of cases, only in about 20 percent of cases it is the other way round. With a relaxed owner, the dog is not so easily upset, with anxious dog owners, the dog is also more insecure after several years of living together. Many dogs adapt certain behaviours from their masters or mistresses.
The Perfect Match - on the inside and outside
Many dog owners have not only subconsciously sought a look-a-like by choosing a puppy, but also consciously want to show this off with matching accessories in everyday life. Many people love to coordinate the leashes and collars for their four-legged friends with their own outfits. If you want a super chic complete look with all the trimmings, it's best to choose the accessories from the William Walker smooth leather collection in the colours Sand, Forest or Noir - this offers a dog collar, dog lead, poo bag dispenser, treat bag, key ring and key chain in the same colour. So you'll not only be partners at heart, but also a perfect visual match.
Do you sometimes match your outfits with the accessories of your four-legged friend? Send us a picture of your coolest partner look with your four-legged friend!
