Testing pups' personalities

Sam Gosling, Ph.D, researches animal personalities. His latest research adapted a five-factor personality test for humans to test dogs. Gosling asked the owners of 78 dogs, both purebred and mixed, to rate their dogs based on intelligence, energy levels, anxiety, and affection and aggression. He then had someone else rate each dog.

One key finding: Personality traits differ within breeds-so you can't bank on every Lab being laid back. Gosling's conclusion: A similar test might help shelter workers match adopting owners with adoptee pets. Gosling hopes a personality test before could reduce the number of dogs unwanted later for behavior problems. Of course, a potential pet owner may find a cat's a better personality fit-or a fish. Gosling found that even guppies express such personality traits as extroversion and emotional stability.