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Eight in 10 dog owners think it was genuinely fate that they were matched with their dog, according to new research.
And it may be more than just fate matching us with our pets; results showed our personalities very often match, too.
That’s according to a survey examining the connection between 2,000 owners and their dogs, which found a resounding 81% believe it was meant to be that they ended up together, with many saying their dog’s personality feels like a mirror of their own.
The new survey examined whether people choose pets that reflect their personality, and the results show a striking emotional connection.
Seventy-four percent of pet parents said their dog resembles them in key ways, especially when it comes to energy levels, social habits, and emotional sensitivity.
Moreover, whether you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert seems to have direct implications on the personality of your dog, according to the research conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products.
People who describe themselves as “introverts” were more likely to say they have a shy, cautious, or quiet dog. They were also more likely to describe their pet as stubborn, calm, and easygoing.
Those who see themselves as extroverted were more than twice as likely to say their dog has an outgoing personality versus introverts (38% vs. 19%).
And extroverts were more likely to describe their pet as friendly, affectionate, and energetic, as well as being more driven in their personality type overall.
Perhaps most convincingly of all, extroverts are far more likely to have an extroverted dog, with 82% saying this matches their dog’s personality, while less than a third of introverts (32%) say they have an extroverted dog.
Similarly, the majority of introverts (62%) say their dog is an introvert just like them, while just 16% of extroverts say their pup is an introvert.
“So many pet parents feel like it was fate that brought them and their dogs together, and it’s funny how often their personalities really do match,” said Gary Tashjian, founder and CEO of Darwin’s Pet Food. “Science backs it up, too: Studies have found that owners and their dogs often align across major personality traits. It’s a reminder that our bond with dogs is both deeply personal and surprisingly universal, and for those curious, there’s even more fascinating research into how human and canine personalities overlap.”
The survey echoes Darwin’s Pet Food’s internal findings, which surmised that owners who enjoy routines and structure often share their lives with what’s known as a confident controller — a personality type in dogs that thrives on consistency and attention.
While affectionate, outgoing owners often ended up with what the research calls affectionate socialites — dogs who love being around people, crave physical closeness, and never miss a chance to tag along to a dog-friendly café.
Meanwhile, the independent loner pup seems to gravitate toward calm, quieter households, where strong bonds are formed with just one or two people, a dynamic many self-described introverts said felt deeply familiar.
The 2025 survey also saw over two-thirds (68%) describe their dog as their emotional twin, and over half (56%) go even further to describe their pet as their soulmate.
Three in four pet parents (75%) feel they share an unspoken understanding with their pet all the time or often, and 83% say their dog instantly soothes their anxiety.
“What this research really highlights is the depth of the human–dog bond,” added Tashjian. “People don’t just see their pets as companions; they see them as reflections of themselves, even soulmates. Whether it’s fate, personality, or a mix of both, the connection is so strong that many owners feel their dogs understand them in ways no one else can.”
To learn more about how pet personalities resemble owners’ traits and to examine prior research on dogs and personality type.
Top Traits People Think They Share With Their Dogs:
- Friendly (65%)
- Affectionate (50%)
- Energetic (39%)
- Easygoing (39%)
- Independent (31%)
Survey methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 dog owners; the survey was commissioned by Darwin’s Natural Pet Products and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Sept. 4 – Sept. 10, 2025.
