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I’ve already debunked the whole cats and dogs can never get along theory. What about whether you’re a cat person or a dog person, and what that says about your personality? I recently caught part of a NOVA documentary exploring that very thing, and I wish I’d seen more of it. The opening was full of cat people and dog people talking about the respective attributes of their favorite mammals, before examining what life is like at home for each of them.
Although the concept was fascinating, I felt a little put out. What about me? I love dogs and cats equally, so where do I fit in? I know: I’m being a child in the play yard, whining about being left out. Because I do think that, just like with dog breeds, we can learn a bit about someone’s personality from whether they prefer cats or dogs.
For example, cat people are more likely to be a bit less active, preferring quieter moments. They’re more analytical and don’t mind being on their own. In contrast, dog people are extroverts, outgoing; they have energy and like to use it. Of course I can immediately think of an exception to this: my husband.
My husband is definitely a dog person. He’s completely apathetic to our cats but he coddles the dog. He says he prefers dogs because they’re loyal, seem to genuinely want a human’s company, and you can play with them (i.e., roughhouse) much more easily than with cats. However, of the two of us Jon has much more of the cat personality: quieter, calmer, and less desirous of social interaction. I joke that he isn’t a huge fan of cats (though his feelings are more indifferent than opposed) because he’s one himself (he so enjoys sunning himself), of the type that wants to rule and doesn’t like the other cats.
Even with the exception of my husband, having more of a cat personality but preferring dogs, I’m still left in the middle. There are definitely things I prefer about cats, but then there are things I prefer about dogs.
What really struck me while watching the documentary was the narrow-minded views the interviewees espoused (though I’m sure they were prompted to say such things). Cats are better because they’re pickier about whom they love, weeding out the good people from the bad, or dogs are better because they genuinely want your attention. Well, anyone who’s had a cat, or at least certain personalities of cats, knows different.
I can speak to that from my own experience. Unless I’m first getting home, if my dog comes running in response to my call, she’s doing so because she wants food. However, if either of my cats appears at my summons they’re doing so because they genuinely want my attention. It’s the dog who’s mercenary and the cats that are cuddly and loyal.
I’m sure if I’d been able to see the entire documentary things would have evened out a little bit; maybe they would have even backed up my own theories. But maybe it’s because I run in pet-loving circles, but I just don’t see that many differences between people who prefer one or the other, and I know a lot who equally love both. Why can’t we all just get along?
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