Personality Consistency in Dogs: A Meta-Analysis

Date

2013-01-23

Authors

Fratkin, Jamie L.
Sinn, David L.
Patall, Erika A.
Gosling, Samuel D.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Public Library of Science

Abstract

Personality, or consistent individual differences in behavior, is well established in studies of dogs. Such consistency implies predictability of behavior, but some recent research suggests that predictability cannot be assumed. In addition, anecdotally, many dog experts believe that ‘puppy tests’ measuring behavior during the first year of a dog's life are not accurate indicators of subsequent adult behavior. Personality consistency in dogs is an important aspect of human-dog relationships (e.g., when selecting dogs suitable for substance-detection work or placement in a family). Here we perform the first comprehensive meta-analysis of studies reporting estimates of temporal consistency of dog personality. A thorough literature search identified 31 studies suitable for inclusion in our meta-analysis. Overall, we found evidence to suggest substantial consistency (r = 0.43). Furthermore, personality consistency was higher in older dogs, when behavioral assessment intervals were shorter, and when the measurement tool was exactly the same in both assessments. In puppies, aggression and submissiveness were the most consistent dimensions, while responsiveness to training, fearfulness, and sociability were the least consistent dimensions. In adult dogs, there were no dimension-based differences in consistency. There was no difference in personality consistency in dogs tested first as puppies and later as adults (e.g., ‘puppy tests’) versus dogs tested first as puppies and later again as puppies. Finally, there were no differences in consistency between working versus non-working dogs, between behavioral codings versus behavioral ratings, and between aggregate versus single measures. Implications for theory, practice, and future research are discussed.

Department

Description

Jamie L. Fratkin is with UT Austin; David L. Sinn is with UT Austin and University of Tasmania; Samuel D. Gosling is with UT Austin; Erika A. Patall is with UT Austin.

LCSH Subject Headings

Citation

Fratkin JL, Sinn DL, Patall EA, Gosling SD (2013) Personality Consistency in Dogs: A Meta-Analysis. PLoS ONE 8(1): e54907. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0054907