17 Basic Differences Between Dog People And Cat People
Take this with a grain of salt. I don't really believe it, because I am a dog person and most of my personality traits line up with those of cat people, so I'm not really buying into it. But I have read numerous studies that pretty much say the same thing about "Dog people" and "Cat people". Anyway, what do you think? Is there any truth to this or is it total bullshit? If you think it's crap, then why?
https://thoughtcatalog.com/lorenzo-jensen-iii/2015/06/17-basic-differences-between-dog-people-and-cat-people/
By Lorenzo Jensen III
Updated October 17, 2018
1. There are more dog people than cat people.
About six percent more US households own dogs than own cats. In survey after survey, people who say they love dogs outnumber cat-lovers by as much as five to one. About a quarter of all respondents say they love both dogs and cats—we will refer to such people as “bi-petuals.”
2. Dog people are far more sociable and outgoing than cat people.
Dog lovers are friendlier and more extroverted than cat lovers, who prefer to be alone. Dog lovers also tend to be more confident and dominant than cat people. (I am friendly, but basically an introvert. I don't think of myself as highly confident and I am definitely not dominant, but nor am I submissive)
3. Cat people are more intelligent than dog people.
And they will never let you forget this, nor the fact that they think cats are also far more intelligent than dogs. (I don't know about this, I think it's kind of ridiculous)
4. Cat people are more neurotic than dog people.
Cat lovers tend to be more prone to anxiety and neurotic disorders than dog people. This may be because their pets are far less likely to constantly reassure them. (I definitely tend toward the neurotic side, but less so as I get older. I am still a die-hard dog person.)
5. Cat people are more likely to live alone and in apartments than dog people.
One study shoes that cat owners are a third more likely to live alone than dog owners and twice as likely to live in an apartment rather than a house. The most likely individuals to own cats are single women. (I live alone in an apartment, yet I am still a dog person - I live in a dog apartment building - but most apt. buildings don't allow dogs, so this is kind of obvious)
6. Dog people are more likely to live in rural areas than cat people.
The East and West Coasts are much more likely to favor cat owners, while dogs rule the American South. Overall, dog people are 30 more likely to live in the country, while cat people are 29 percent more likely to live in the city. (This makes sense, but I have always lived in a city in adulthood and there are tons of dogs everywhere)
7. Dog people tend to be more conservative than cat people.
Owning a dog correlates strongly with having traditional values. Dog owners are also generally more rule-abiding than cat owners. Dog owners tend to skew Republican, while cat owners lean Democrat. (Again, I am a very liberal dog person and I know a lot of conservative cat people)
8. Dog people are more obedient—just like dogs.
Cat owners tend to be nonconformists, while dog owners generally follow the tide and obey all rules. (I am not obedient at all - just the opposite. A total non-conformist and very irreverent)
9. Cat people are more open-minded than dog people.
Cat lovers generally score higher on thing such as open-mindedness, imaginativeness, creativity, adventurousness, and holding unconventional beliefs. Dog owners, much like dogs, will pretty much believe anything you tell them. (Again, I am a very open-minded dog person, imaginative, creative, adventurous and unconventional. I do not believe anything that people tell me.)
10. Cat people are more sensitive than dog people. (I am a very sensitive dog person)
SENSITIVITY Cat lovers are sensitive Often times, people see sensitivity as a bad thing. This isn’t necessarily the case. Cat people were found to be more sensitive in this study, while dog owners showed fewer signs of sensitivity in provided tests.
11. Dog people are more masculine than cat people.
It has been said many times that all dogs look like males and all cats look like females. Although there are exceptions, dog owners both male and female tend to view themselves as more masculine than cat owners do. (This is a ridiculous stereotype, it annoys me how people always think dogs are "he"
12. Dog people tend to tolerate cats; cat people hate dogs.
Studies have shown that people who love both dogs and cats—the so-called “bi-petuals”—have personalities almost identical to those of dog owners. In general, dog owners are more willing to tolerate the idea of owning a cat than cat owners are of owning dogs. (I am not very tolerant of cats. Sorry cat people, but I don't really like them because they are not friendly, affectionate, consistent or very likeable. I have tried, really I have, but every time I try to pet a cat or be nice to them, they turn around and scratch me or bite me. When I have stayed with people who have cats, the cat keeps me up all night by climbing all over me and kneading me, meowing, knocking things over, etc. Dogs are cuddly, friendly, and they go to sleep for the night.)
13. Dog people and cat people have a different favorite Beatle.
Dog lovers prefer Paul McCartney; cat people prefer George Harrison. (Dog person who prefers George Harrison)
14. Dog people and cat people have a different sense of humor.
Cat people enjoy sophisticated, ironic humor that’s built on clever wordplay. Dog people laugh at fart jokes and videos of people accidentally hurting themselves. (Dog person who prefers cat person humor)
15. Cat people are more independent.
As already noted, dog owners tend to be more sociable and obedient. The flip side of this is that cat owners, much like cats, have minds of their own. (Dog person who is independent w/ a mind of my own)
16. Cat people are more likely to be atheists. (Atheist dog person)
ATHEIST some research data that suggests that more cat people than dog people are atheists.
17. Dog people are seeking companionship; cat people are seeking affection.
Dog lovers are looking for a four-legged little buddy, while cat lovers want something that will purr and rub up against them and knead their paws into their fleshy folds when it’s dark and cold and lonely at night. (Dog person who seeks affection and I think dogs are the best providers of that. I don't think cats are affectionate at all, whereas I think dogs are extremely affectionate. Companionship is nice, but what I love about dogs is how loving and affectionate they are. How communicative they are with their expressions and body language and how loyal and loving they are. )
Anyway, I know this is kind of a long post, but would like to know what you all think. Thanks!
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They are very loving and affectionate toward their people. I have three who follow me around the house and demand to be petted. They sleep with me, whine when they see me leaving the house and greet me at the door purring when I come home. Other cats I encounter, even strays on the street, are friendly toward me. Maybe the reason cats don't like you is that they sense you don't like them.
I do not hate dogs. I love them. But my lifestyle never allowed me to have one because until I retired I was away from home too much and wouldn't have been able to care for a dog properly. Cats are lower-maintenance because they don't have to be let out or walked. They are also more suitable for an apartment-dweller for that reason and because they are relatively small and quiet. Also, they are Democrats.
me and scratch or bite after I have been petting them for a bit. I have just learned not to trust them. When a dog is tired of being petted they will just get up and walk away, or not. Sometimes they will just put up with it. I suppose I am afraid of cats because I always expect them to harm me so I have learned to be wary of them. Maybe it's because I grew up with dogs and I am so comfortable with them.
I do think the stereotype about dog people is very off however, I know a lot of Democrats who are big dog lovers. The point is that I don't think you can completely peg someone's personality by the type of pet they choose. However, I have read these stupid articles in science magazines, Psychology Today and numerous websites and they all say basically the same thing. I just think it's lazy science/research. I don't think there is any truth to it. To each their own. 
This describes my experience to a T.
Cats I don’t know are always coming to meet me when I’m taking a walk. And I’ve always had affectionate relationships with every kitty I’ve shared living space with.
Dogs, I love — but not to live with. I love visiting with friends’ and relatives’ dogs and meeting them when neighbors are walking them. As pets, dogs take over your life to too great an extent for me.
In my experience they're all such individuals I can't really generalize! But I've always gotten a kick out of this cartoon:
are off.
Sadly, hubby and I no longer have a kitty in the family because he developed severe allergies to them decades ago. (We found the best home for our last younger kitty who lived to be 21, btw, - her new mom was a pediatrician.)
However, we both LOVE both species but favor dogs a bit more because they're much more attentive to humans and are way less selfish. Dogs will protect their humans even if it means risking their own lives. Cats?...sorry, folks.
Dogs are pack oriented and will therefore protect all members of the family, including "their" cats. One of our sweet pups once defended and chased off a dog who was chasing "her" kitty. She loved her kitty and vice versa - they grew up together. That's the secret to a cat's loving and fully accepting a dog - they must bond as kittens, otherwise, it often seems a bit hopeless.
Personality wise? Hubby, a big dog person, is rather painfully introverted. And me? I'm a very caring, more outgoing/ outspoken but untolerant asshole. As DUers know, that's not a contradiction in terms. Hubby's painful shyness rather gets on my nerves. (Folks think he's a saint but don't know what he says in private.) Conclusion: the article's assertions do not apply to us.
