Have you ever heard people resemble their pets? You may think it is just a myth, but there is science behind it. On the Huffington Post an experiment was conducted by Nakajima in 2009. The story showed that people were able to easily match the owner with their dog just by looking at photographs. Nakajima states, “the evidence from his and other scientists’ research shows that the popular belief in dog-owner physical resemblance is empirically valid.” 

The experiment consisted of random people given unobstructed photos. When the contestant’s mouth was covered in the picture 73% of the people were correct. When the eyes were covered only about 50% were correct. This showed that owners’ eyes seem to resemble their pets the most.  

(Picture from the Huffington Post)

“The results clearly show that individuals make decisions on dog-owner resemblance primarily by comparing features of the eye region between dogs and owners,” Nakajima said in his paper.

Why is this? 

“A major reason for the dog-owner facial resemblance is the so-called ‘mere exposure effect,'” or the idea that a person might choose to get a dog who looks similar to themselves because of a preference for the familiar.” Nakajima said 

Let’s see if the students agree: 

Can you match the student to the pet?

1.How many pets do you have?

Junior Melissa Karastury 

One cat

Junior Paige Rodgers

Six pets

Junior Grace Gilmore

Four, two cats and two dogs

Junior Natalie Goldscheitter 

Six, five cats and one dog

2.Do you have a favorite pet?

Melissa Karastury 

Yes, the only one I have.

Paige Rodgers

Yes, I do.

Grace Gilmore

Yes, I prefer dogs to cats.

Natalie Goldscheitter 

My cat Dexter.

3.What’s your favorite memory of you and your pet(s)?

Melissa Karastury 

My Favorite memory was when we got her.

Paige Rodgers

When my dog Anika and I play in the snow together.

Grace Gilmore

When I came home late one day, my dog had waited outside my bedroom door until I got home.

4.Any funny pet stories?

Melissa Karastury 

When she was a few months old, she would run loops around the house like she was crazy.

Paige Rodgers

My dog Delta once started playing with a ground-hog in our yard and my sister started freaking out.

Grace Gilmore

Whenever anyone pets my dog then stops, he will try to use his head or paw to put the person’s hand back on his head to continue.

Natalie Goldscheitter

One time one of our cats ate a whole chicken. 

5.Do you think people look similar to their pets?

Melissa Karastury 

I think a lot of people look and act like their pets.

Paige Rodgers

Yes, I do think so.

Grace Gilmore

No, not really.

Natalie Goldscheitter 

Sometimes,  yes!

6.Do you think you look like your pet(s)?

Melissa Karastury 

Not at all.

Paige Rodgers

Yes, a little bit.

Grace Gilmore

No.

Natalie Goldscheitter 

I used to before I bleached my hair. 

7.Anything else you would like to add?

Melissa Karastury 

Her name is Mittens.

Paige Rodgers

Anika now has three legs instead of four.

Grace Gilmore

Another funny story is one of my cats adores one of our dogs, and follows our dog around everywhere.

Most of the students interviewed agree with the statement, “Pets resemble their owners.” Let’s see if they look like their pets.

Do you think people look like their pets? 

“Some people do.” – Sophomore Meredith Martin

“Yes 100%” – Junior Hanna Howell

“I’d say so for the most part.”– Senior Jaydon Crawford

“Honestly yes, it sounds weird but they match their vibe.” – Junior Eden Moyer

Matching Answers:

1 – d

2- a

3- b

4-c