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A tail of two personalities: How canine companions shape relationships and well-being

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  • Cavanaugh, Lisa A.
  • Leonard, Hillary A.
  • Scammon, Debra L.

Abstract

More people own pets than ever before. Further, people spend more money on pets than they ever have. The increase in pet ownership and spending on pets provides evidence of the importance humans place on the pets in their lives. This study explores the relationships between humans and their animal companions, specifically canine companions. Drawing on decades of research on personality, relationships, and well-being, the current research takes a cross-species approach to examine the influence of pet personalities on human outcomes. Using personality assessments for human and dog, the article examines how both personalities impact relationship satisfaction. The article also examines how human-dog closeness impacts owner well-being. Some findings corroborate results found in the human personality and relationship literature, but others point to some unique aspects of the human-dog bond. These results not only shed light on the human-dog relationship but also suggest some departures from the human relationship literature that could be explored in future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Cavanaugh, Lisa A. & Leonard, Hillary A. & Scammon, Debra L., 2008. "A tail of two personalities: How canine companions shape relationships and well-being," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 61(5), pages 469-479, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:61:y:2008:i:5:p:469-479
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gary Marks & Nicole Fleming, 1999. "Influences and Consequences of Well-being Among Australian Young People: 1980–1995," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 46(3), pages 301-323, March.
    2. Belk, Russell W, 1988. "Possessions and the Extended Self," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 15(2), pages 139-168, September.
    3. Hirschman, Elizabeth C, 1994. "Consumers and Their Animal Companions," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 20(4), pages 616-632, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ana Maria Barcelos & Niko Kargas & John Maltby & Sophie Hall & Phil Assheton & Daniel S. Mills, 2021. "Theoretical Foundations to the Impact of Dog-Related Activities on Human Hedonic Well-Being, Life Satisfaction and Eudaimonic Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-17, November.
    2. José E. Ramos-Ruiz & Minerva Aguilar-Rivero & Jaime Aja-Valle & Lucía Castaño-Prieto, 2024. "An Analysis of the Demand for Tourist Accommodation to Travel with Dogs in Spain," Societies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Rötzmeier-Keuper, Julia & Hendricks (née Lerch), Jennifer & Wünderlich, Nancy V. & Schmitz, Gertrud, 2018. "Triadic relationships in the context of services for animal companions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 295-303.
    4. Kirk, Colleen P., 2019. "Dogs have masters, cats have staff: Consumers' psychological ownership and their economic valuation of pets," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 306-318.
    5. Nicole R. Pallotta, 2019. "Chattel or Child: The Liminal Status of Companion Animals in Society and Law," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-44, May.

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