It’s a question as old as time itself; one which has divided great minds, thinkers, and philosophers. Finally, we at Clevry might have discovered the answer. The answer to the oldest question: Who are better – dog people or cat people?
In a recent study, we asked a sample of Clevry Personality Questionnaire (CPQ) test-takers: “Do you prefer cats or dogs? ”. Among our 230 participants, 51% identified as dog people, 40% as cat people, and 9% said they were neither. Using this data, we identified significant differences in personality across 9 CPQ scales. Here’s what we discovered:
Mirroring the warmth of dogs versus the aloofness of cats, this analysis indicates that dog people might be more likely to be welcoming and approachable when meeting new people, whereas cat people may be reserved and take time to warm up to new people.
True to their preferred pet’s reputations, it seems that cat people may enjoy working alone, preferring to minimise time spent with other people. Dog people, however, may be more likely to thrive in social settings, seeking opportunities to meet and collaborate with others.
When it comes to flexing interpersonal styles, cat people appear to be more likely to adapt their style and approach when interacting with different people. Dog people, in contrast, may stick to a consistent approach regardless of the situation.
As confident as a Chihuahua barking at a German Shepherd, so too are dog people in social settings. Dog people may be more confident and comfortable when talking with anyone, whereas cat people may be more reserved and prefer to observe from the sidelines.
You might mistakenly believe that black cats are an omen of bad luck (they aren’t), but it does appear to be the case that cat people are more likely to anticipate outcomes not going as well as expected. Dog people, on the other hand, might be more likely to expect things to go well and anticipate positive, successful outcomes, such as getting a biscuit.
In terms of the types of employers and organisations we like to work for, this analysis suggests that cat people might prefer working for companies with positive social reputations and whose values align with their own. Dog people, however, may prefer working for organisations that prioritise growth and business concerns. You could say that it’s a dog eat dog world out there…
If you enjoy a strong social life in the workplace, then there’s a higher chance that you’re a dog person rather than a cat person. Whereas dog people may prefer to make friends with their colleagues, cat people might be more likely to keep their social life and work life separate, maintaining professional relationships with their colleagues.
Cat people scored lower on the Self-efficacy scale, which suggests that they might hold critical self-perceptions of themselves and be realistic about their personal capabilities. However, dog people scored higher on this scale on average, indicating that they may be more likely to have a strong sense of self-esteem and hold positive self-perceptions of themselves.
Dog people scored higher on the Competition scale, suggesting they may be more motivated by competitive environments and enjoy “playing to win.” Cat people scored lower, indicating they might prefer collaborative work and may be less comfortable with direct competition. You can see this in action if you have ever thrown a stick for a cat.
What does it all mean?
Before you declare dog people ‘better’ than cat people, or vice versa, it’s important to remember that personality is about preferences and tendencies. Scores on the CPQ are not an indication of ‘good’ or ‘bad’ traits.
Group differences ≠ individual predictions
Just because dog people score higher on Competition, Friendship, Approachable, Poised, and Gregarious on average does not mean that every dog lover is a competitive, extraverted socialite. Similarly, not all cat lovers are reserved, cautious, or self-critical. Psychometrics measure tendencies, but variability within groups is always substantial. Group-level trends are useful for understanding populations, but they are never a replacement for individual assessment1.
Context matters
Personality traits interact with context. For example, a dog person’s competitive nature could be an asset in sales, but less relevant in highly collaborative roles. A cat person’s preference for autonomy might be an advantage for independent research, but less suited for people-facing roles. Interpreting scores requires understanding the context of the role, the organisation, and the goals of the individual.
Beware of biases and stereotypes
Even subtle assumptions, like ‘dog people are better leaders’ can distort our interpretation. When interpreting personality results, it’s important to take a step back and reflect on our own biases. We all have our own preconceived notions of what we like and dislike in terms of personality. However, just because you behave a certain way, and prefer when other people do the same, does not mean that it is essential to effective performance in a particular job role. When determining what personal attributes are key to a job role, always conduct a job analysis and refer to the person specification produced as a result2.
Corroboration of information
Psychometrics provide an objective measure of personality, and should be used alongside an array of other assessment methods to gain the best understanding of an individual, such as Situational Judgment Tests (SJTs), interviews, assessment centres, exploration discussions etc. A holistic approach reduces the risk of overgeneralising results, creating a more robust selection process that is better able to identify likely fit with the role.
1 Don’t start asking people if they’re a cat or dog person as part of your selection process. 😉
2 If you’d like help with this, simply contact us here.
Use results to inform development and create alignment
For example, a person who prefers autonomy might thrive if given structured solo projects, while still contributing to team goals. Individuals who love socialising as part of their work may excel in networking-heavy roles, but may also need guidance on balancing collaboration with independent thinking. The focus should be on maximising strengths and mitigating challenges, as well as understanding likely fit within your organisation’s culture, rather than ranking personalities.
Takeaway
Trends in personality can be fascinating and amusing, but professional psychometrics is about nuance. Recognising the difference between group tendencies and individual profiles, considering the context, and integrating multiple sources of data are essential for responsible and effective use of personality assessments.
Comments from a Cat Person 🐱
The results of this analysis confirm what cat people have known for generations: cat people are simply superior to dog people. There are, of course, many reasons for this, with cat people consistently demonstrating excellence across a wide range of personality traits.
Of the results, none are so gleamingly obvious as to the prestige of cat people as the CPQ scale: Competition. It’s easy to spot a dog person because they simply never stop banging on about dogs being better. They feel the need to win an argument that no one asked for and that they’re doomed to lose. Let this be a message to all dog people: we do not need you to dogsplain why you prefer the smellier, slobbier, and more needy pet. We’re happy for you, truly. P.S. you do realise that you can prefer dogs without hating cats?
When it comes to the Gregarious scale, is anyone surprised? Dog people just don’t know when to call it a day and chill out. We cat people understand that some people want their own space. There’s enjoyment in time spent with others, but it’s also great to just wind down alone and focus on your own needs. How am I meant to get my work done with someone yapping in my ear?
Cat people once again prove their dominance with higher scores on the Adaptable scale. Dog people rarely adapt their style to others. Much like their belief that everyone must love dogs, they assume everyone will like them exactly as they are. Cat people understand that everyone is different, with their own likes and dislikes. One size doesn’t fit all – you have to flex to meet different people’s needs.
Now, you might think that dog people scoring higher on the Poised scale is a sign that they’re better. But you’d be wrong. Excessive confidence can easily tip into over-assumption. While it might initially appear charming, it can quickly become disingenuous and obnoxious. And honestly, talking in front of crowds isn’t all that impressive anyway.
Lower scores on the Optimistic scale are advantageous and I’ll tell you why. Anticipating potential pitfalls isn’t negativity, it’s intelligence. Cat people don’t expect the worst, but we understand that things don’t always go to plan. Simply “looking on the bright side” doesn’t guarantee success; preparing for multiple outcomes does. Cat people don’t want bad things to happen, we’re just realistic enough to know that sometimes they will.
Cat people are also more Values-focused, which is a value in itself. Dog people tend to chase the latest shiny reward, much like a tennis ball hurled across a park after they’ve destroyed the last one. Cat people aren’t interested in endlessly pursuing financial carrots in the workplace. We’re far more motivated by purpose, principles, and work that aligns with our morals.
You might see that cat people score lower on the Friendship scale and assume that’s a negative. It isn’t. This scale doesn’t measure friendliness, it reflects boundaries. Cat people prefer to keep work and friendships separate. Workplace friendships can be distracting, and by maintaining clear boundaries, we can focus and do our jobs well. We still get along with colleagues; we just don’t always need to be best friends. Dog people struggle with this concept.
Lower levels of Self-efficacy among cat people are yet another marker of excellence. Dog people may be more confident in their abilities, but how do you improve if you already think you’re perfect? Cat people understand there’s always room for growth. As Hannah Montana said, ‘Nobody’s perfect’. We stay self-aware, reflective, and never get too far ahead of ourselves.
Finally, cat people score lower on the Approachable scale. At first glance, this may seem like a flaw, but it’s anything but. There’s authenticity in warming up to people gradually. Being universally “nice” isn’t the same as being genuinely kind, and deeper relationships are built on the latter. Dog people may be friendly to everyone, but that doesn’t mean those connections last. Cat people know where to invest their energy – and where not to.
Comments from a Dog Person 🐶
As a psychologist and a scientist, one of the things I love most about research is when it throws up a result that is counter-intuitive. When a study tells us something about the human condition that challenges our preconceptions and demands that we fundamentally revisit our beliefs about the way people think, feel, and behave.
Very occasionally, a piece of psychological research will reveal a chasm of the previously unknown that has existed, until now, undiscovered right beneath our feet. Everything we know about people will be torn up and thrown into the air. These rare and precious research outcomes will change our grasp of what it means to be human, forever.
This is not one of those studies. This is a psychological research outcome that absolutely confirms what we already knew: Dog people are better than cat people.
It’s true that in personality there is no good or bad. Whenever we conduct psychometric assessments exploring personality, we maintain our focus on this central tenet: personality is style not ability. While this remains true, we also understand that when it comes to pet preference, the dog people are right and the cat people are wrong.
These results prove, with no shadow of doubt, that dog people are warm, people centred, value close relationships, are socially confident, optimistic, and generally feel good about themselves. If they have a fault, it’s their competitive nature; but this is only a facet of their drive to be the best they can be. And get to a stick really, really quickly when someone has thrown it for them.
I appreciate that this is a tough message for the cat people, but I suspect that they don’t really care what other people think.
Happily, there is one thing that dog people and cat people can all agree on – people who don’t have a preference for either pet must be dead inside.
