Every dog owner knows that their pooch is one of a kind!

Our furry friends are just like people – no two are alike, and their personalities are what make them special. But what if you tried to describe your dog’s unique characteristics? Would she be a social butterfly, or a studious Einstein? Maybe he’s the class clown or the daydreamer.

Believe it or not, scientists have actually put this topic to the research test. By using information gathered through the Dognition.com website, researchers looked at the quality of dog cognition data in a paper published in the PLoS (Public Library of Science) titled Citizen Science as a New Tool in Dog Cognition Research. Even more interesting, this research is in line with previous work on the topic.

Here are some of the personality types used in the canine analysis:

• Socialite – these dogs, not surprisingly, aren’t about the individual problem-solving thing. They get their pack (in other words – you! – their humans) to do the work for them.
• Expert – because of their good memories, these dogs are able to take care of many of their own problems without the help of humans.
• Ace – these pooches are not only socially savvy but intelligent enough to exercise skilled problem-solving.
• Maverick – these dogs bear a strong cognitive resemblance to their wolf relatives. They are fiercely independent and able to tackle a range of tasks on their own.
• Protodog – this group is smart and skilled, but savvy enough to know when it’s prudent to get human help.
• Renaissance dog – this category encompasses the pooches who know moderation is key. They score equally as well in all five cognitive measurements.

This is just a sampling of the cognitive types used to parse the doggy data. Check out Dognition for more info, including how to interact with your pup in order to nail down their unique personality traits.

While the PLoS piece was definitely geared toward evidence-based scientific methods, LittleThings.com has a different perspective on the matter of dogs’ personalities. They assert that your pup’s sleeping position is an indicator of his or her cognitive bents. So how do the different snoozing practices measure up?

• Side sleepers emanate a sense of peace and utter, complete trust in their people and environment. They tend to be very loyal and happy about life in general.
• The fox curls up with his paws underneath him and his tail wrapped all the way round his body, back up to his face. He is protecting his vital organs and preserving his body heat. These pups are sweet, gentle, and loving.
• Crazy legs is that dog who is supremely confident in who he is and isn’t afraid to assume the most vulnerable position a canine can possibly take – belly up. He is relaxed and independent.
• Super pup is that enviably energetic dog who wants to be at the ready whenever she needs to pop up and play. So sleeping like Superman makes total sense!
• Passed out describes those totally adaptable, laid-back pooches who feel comfortable and confident wherever they are. They’ll typically lay flat on their back, often lifting their legs straight in the air!

These descriptions should give you a pretty good idea where your sweet little Fluffy sits on the personality scale, but if these aren’t enough to satisfy your curiosity, head on over to BarkPost and take their dog personality quiz. For a fun twist, they also have a tweaked version that helps you determine how your precious pooch would fare out in the wild.

In the end, your canine friend is who he is and the only thing that really matters is the joy and love he brings to your life!