Study finds pet owners really do look like their pets — and the reason is surprisingly simple

Resemblance can help the bond, but shared experiences between a dog and its owner build a lasting connection.

PUBLISHED 2 HOURS AGO

A mature man and his small white dog have the same fashion sense (Representative Cover Source: Getty Images | Photo by Jonathan Kirn)

Dogs resembling their owners isn't uncommon, although the reason behind it was never clear. It was most often treated as a myth among non-pet people. However, this bizarre phenomenon finally has an explanation. Earlier this year, Renata Roma, a researcher at Pawsitive Connections Lab, University of Saskatchewan, uncovered evidence that shows that it isn't just a coincidence, but a real pattern with surprising reasons behind it. According to the researcher, the uncanny resemblance goes beyond physical features.

A man with his Afghan dog posing for the camera. Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Rainer Elstermann. — A man with his Afghan dog posing for the camera. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Rainer Elstermann)

According to Science Alert, Roma, who studies the human-animal bond, established that dog owners share similarities with their pets. As per the June 2025 research authored by Yana Bender, Franziska Roth, Stefan Schweinberger, Simone Witte and Juliane Bräuer, 15 empirical studies have found that dogs and their owners can share "parallel traits" including anxiety, sociability, and extroversion. The research also states that some people deliberately choose dogs that physically resemble them, especially while choosing purebred dogs. For example, women with longer hair often gravitate toward dogs with longer ears, while short-haired women prefer breeds with shorter ears. Another 2015 study by Sadahiko Nakajima found a positive correlation between the eye region of humans and their dogs, which hints that shared features in this area might be stronger evidence for striking similarities overall.

Senior dog owner with his pet (Image Source: Getty Images | Jonathan Kirn) — Senior dog owner with his pet. (Image Source: Getty Images | Jonathan Kirn)

Beyond physical traits, Roma notes that the similarity in traits shared by pets and owners can come from years of living together. Speaking through evolutionary contexts, she wrote, "These patterns continue to influence our relationships with others, favoring connections with people who appear to align with our values, behaviours or even physical traits." Roma also points out that people may "reinforce certain behaviors" intentionally or unintentionally. "At the same time, emotional exchanges between humans and dogs can also shape each other's emotional states over time," she added. But such perceptions can hold "greater emotional investment" in the bond. "For example, they might be more tolerant of certain behaviors when they identify a similar pattern in themselves," the researcher stated.

A dog imitating the owner (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Blue Bird)

However, the researcher also revealed that even in cases where the owner and the dog do not share any similarities, they can still "match" perfectly. "Imagine a dog who is playful and energetic, living with someone who may be more reserved or introverted. The dog's energy can encourage the person to be more active, which can lead to healthier habits such as walking or spending time outdoors. Sharing moments of joy, frustration or even sadness with a beloved dog can also provide a sense of companionship and emotional support," she wrote. As Roma explained, resemblance can help in holding the bond together, but ultimately, it is the shared experiences between the canine and its owner that build a lasting connection.