Dogs copy traits of their owners.
The idea that dogs adopt some of the features owners have received scientific confirmation.
Austrian researchers claim that dogs can copy the worrisome and negative behaviour of their owners.
On the other hand, friendly and funny Pets can infect these qualities and people, helping owners to cope with stress.
More than 100 dogs and their owners participated in various tests during which they measured the heartbeat and reaction to the threat.
The researchers also paid attention to the levels of cortisol in saliva, indicating the level of stress.
Then the owners of the animals were evaluated on five key personality traits: neurotic, extroversion, openness to experience, flexibility and integrity.
The personality of each dog is described with the help of questionnaires.
Dr. iris Shoberl from the University of Vienna says that the owners and dogs affect coping mechanisms to each other. Thus people have a greater impact on animals than the animals on them.
“Our results fit in well with the practical experience: the owners and dogs are a social pair, and they all affect each other to counteract the stress,” she told BBC News.
According to her, dogs are sensitive to the emotional state of their owners and are able to reflect their emotions.
Dogs live with people for over 30 thousand years.
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