What dog is an INTP
Getting a dog isn't a small investment of time, money or energy. While you might be tempted to consider basic characteristics of different types of dogs, like size or life span, here's another angle you should definitely be considering: your Myers-Briggs score. Choosing a dog based on your Myers-Briggs score can make you first figure out the pieces of your personality that you'll need to consider before you choose a dog breed.
The Myers-Briggs personality test, which determines what kind of personality type you are based on how you choose to use your perception and judgment, can be very useful in figuring out what type of dog you'll mesh best with. Just like people, dogs have different personalities and character traits, based on their breed.
First things first, you need to take the Myers-Briggs type indicator test, which is free and simple and found online. There are certified evaluators for the test, like therapists or counselors, who might be able to give you more insight into the answers, but you can get a pretty good idea by answering the questions yourself and calculating the answers.
Carl Jung, a famous psychologist, theorized that there were different psychological types, and mother-daughter duo Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers came up with a test to put that theory into practice, according to The Myers-Briggs Foundation, and that's how the personality test was created.
Based on your responses to the questionnaire, you'll be given four letters that indicate your personality type: extrovert or introvert, sensing or intuitive, thinking or feeling, and judging or perceiving. Once you have your four letters, you can start figuring out what kind of furry friend to bring home!
1
ESTJ Australian Shepherd
The typical ESTJ likes to organize people and projects, and the Australian Shepherd "exhibits an irresistible impulse to herd anything," including people, animals, birds or kids. The American Kennel Club warned that the Australian Shepherd might be a little too much for the average novice dog owner, but luckily the ESTJ shares the impulse to have everyone follow their plans.
2
ESTP Weimaraner
"Smart and highly energetic," is how Vet Street described Weimaraner dogs, and ESTP personalities are similar. Weimaraners definitely need an extrovert because they've been "Nicknamed the Gray Ghost for his habit of shadowing his owner." That probably wouldn't be an introvert's favorite quality in a dog!
3
ESFJ Husky
ESFJ personalities like cooperation and working with others. Sound like any dog breed you know? Huskies are notorious for working with others to pull sleds across Alaska, but you should know that the husky "needs companionship and to feel like it is part of the family," according to Pet Guide. So if you're getting one, you might need to get it a buddy.
4
ESFP Dalmatian
There's a reason why Dalmatians have such an adorable reputation as fire house dogs. They're known to be generally outgoing and friendly dogs that are especially loyal to those they know. ESFP personalities enjoy working with others to get things done, and are equally outgoing and accepting.
5
ISTJ Akita
An Akita would be a good bet for an ISTJ because "He is a fearless and loyal guardian of his family," according to Dog Time. ISTJ personality types value loyalty and traditions, and enjoy keeping things orderly and organized. The Akita is a large dog, known for being affectionate, and respectful as well.
6
ISTP Labrador Retriever
ISTP personalities tend to be flexible and tolerant, which is exactly why they might like a labrador retriever, one of the most happy-go-lucky dog breeds. Dog Notebook explained, "Their zest for life, eagerness to please and ability to read human emotions makes Labs the perfect family dog," and you won't find another dog that's more game for unexpected action than a lab!
7
ISFJ Newfoundland
An ISFJ personality is known for being committed and conscientious, pairing well with a Newfoundland dog that shares a few important characteristics. The Newfoundland is a particularly hardworking dog, "He was originally used as a working dog to pull nets for fishermen and haul wood from the forest," said an article on Dog Time. While he's bound to be affectionate and loving, he's not going to be asking you to play every ten minutes!
8
ISFP Pug
When the American Kennel Club describes a dog by saying, "Pugs live to love and to be loved in return," you know it's bound to be sweet. Likewise, ISFP personalities are typically quiet, friendly, sensitive and kind. Put the two together and you've got a match made in dog heaven! Pugs tend to show their emotions on their expressive faces, showing surprise, happiness, and curiosity to their owners.
9
ENTJ Doberman
10
ENTP Irish Wolfhound
Bored by routine could describe both ENTP personalities and a whole lot of dog breeds, including the Irish Wolfhound. However, the breed is also known for being kind and gentle, said the American Kennel Club, and very good at reading people, much like a future perfect owner.
11
ENFJ Collie
An article in Psychology Junkie explained the best type of dog for an ENFJ personality, who is typically charismatic and a big-picture thinker, is a collie: "Like the ENFJ, collies have an uncanny ability to know when something is wrong, and this ability has made them the subject of many heroic dog stories including Lassie."
12
INTJ Greyhound
Combining intensity and independence is a combination for INTJ's and greyhounds. DogTime described the greyhound as "quiet, gentle, and affectionate." They're also impressively athletic and known as the fastest dog breed, able to run faster than 40 miles an hour. That's perfect for INTJ personalities who tend to speedily look for solutions to problems and then carry out their plans.
13
INTP Basset Hound
Quiet and a little reserved, INTP personalities don't always like a lot of social interaction. That means they're best suited for a dog that doesn't need a ton of social interaction either. Here's how The American Kennel Club described the Basset Hound: "Although they may not be wildly demonstrative in their affections, they are steadfastly loyal." The two can sit quietly together without too much interaction, but be undeniably happy.
14
ENFP Airedale Terrier
An ENFP personality is likely to be warm and enthusiastic, but also in need of a lot of affection from other people. Enter one of the most affectionate dog breeds, the Airedale terrier, and you've got a winning combo. DogTime described the dog's personality as such: "Airedale possesses a wonderful playful streak," meaning there should be fun to be had for the whole family with an Airedale around.
15
INFJ Mastiff
A mastiff is one of the largest dog breeds, so bringing one into your home isn't a decision you'll make lightly, but an INFJ seeks meaning and connection in relationships, so the dog and owner are both going to be in it for the long haul. The American Kennel Club said, "Eternally loyal Mastiffs are protective of family," but cautioned that "a natural wariness of strangers makes early training and socialization essential."
16
INFP English Toy Spaniel
INFP personality type tends to view the world with rose-colored glasses and a giant sense of wonder, according to Psychology Junkie, and would be better suited to team up with an English Toy Spaniel, because "They dont like a lot of commotion and excitement and get easily overstimulated from a lot of sensory overload in their environment."
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Why Does My Dog Stare Into Space: 9 Reasons For Blank Stares
Any change in behavior might be an alarm for a dog owner. Figuring out what exactly is the problem (and whether there is one at all) might be challenging, but as soon as you ask yourself, Why does my dog stare into space?, youre already on a good path to solving the issue.
There are various reasons why a dog might be staring into space. In most cases, blank staring represents a symptom of a medical condition, but it can also be a simple natural reaction that doesnt require any further action.
Its not easy to give a specific answer to the question, Why does my dog stare into space? without causing any concern, which is why I created a list of possible reasons for such behavior with all the information you may need before you pay a visit to the vet.
Read on to find out why your dog seems to be making eye contact with blank spaces and walls instead of humans and other dogs.
Why Does My Dog Stare Into Space?
There are several reasons why your dog might be staring off into nothing.
The most common reasons for this specific behavior are listed down below.
These stares might be just a natural reaction that your dog has to something you cant hear, but they can also be a symptom of an underlying condition.
Check out the rest of this article in order to discover why your dog stares into space!
1. It might be onto something.
Dogs are known for an amazing sense of hearing, which is much more sensitive than humans. Dogs can detect sounds four times better than us, which might be one of the reasons why your dog stares at seemingly nothing.
Your dog might be hearing sounds in the house that are inaudible to you. One of the possible reasons for staring are critters that you might not be aware of.
It might look to you as if your furry friend is looking at an empty space, but it might be trying to solve the mystery of unusual sounds in your house.
Its not easy to recognize the exact cause of the dogs behavior, but if you pay attention to your pet, it wont take long until you finally get the idea as to why your doggie keeps staring at nothing.
If your pet tilts its head from time to time as a sign that theyre trying to figure out something, theyre definitely hearing sounds that you cant detect.
Your dog seems to be telling you that its time to call the exterminator, which just proves that dogs are an extremely helpful part of every family and household.
2. It might be asking for your attention.
Furry pets are just as manipulative as they are cute! They know how to get what they want from their owners, especially when it comes to petting, cuddles, and food.
Of course, you wont find anything wrong in petting your dog when it stares into space, but that might actually be the true intention of that clever and adorable ball of fur.
Once you give in, your doggie will repeat this odd behavior every time it wants cuddles, and you wont stand any chance.
If your doggo starts wagging its tail every time you cuddle it after it has spent time staring at nothing, the answer is clear it has found a way to get cuddles whenever it wants.
This is not necessarily bad behavior, but it might turn into it if you continue rewarding your dog for staring at a blank space.Instead of cuddling your pet every time it repeats the same behavior, you may want to distract it by giving it a task instead of giving in to cuddling.
3. Various medical issues.
Unfortunately, this type of behavior might be a symptom of a number of underlying conditions that affect your dogs mental and physical health.
Of course, theres no reason to immediately think of the worst-case scenario. Still, its better to pay more attention to your dogs behavior and check if there are any other symptoms that might determine the cause of such behavior.
It could only be an attention-seeking gesture, but its always better to check in time.
There are a great number of health issues that can cause such behavior, from cancer to eyesight and hearing impairment.
Some of the most common medical issues are listed below.
4. Eyesight troubles.
If your doggie cant see well, itll just stare at nothing because the poor thing might not even realize what its looking at.
There are high chances your dogs eyesight will weaken as it gets older, which is why it sometimes stares at blank spaces convinced that something is located in front of it. Unfortunately, in most cases, its just their eyes deceiving them.
If you notice that your pet is having trouble finding its food bowl or its favorite toy if you move them just a bit from their regular places, your canine is probably having eyesight issues.
If youre worried about your dogs eye health, you can consult a veterinarian for further details and examinations.
5. Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
Some of the first symptoms of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCD) are cognitive decline, blank staring, confusion, and distance from human interaction.
This medical condition is also called dog dementia, although it resembles Alzheimers disease more than dementia. The main causes of this illness are physical and chemical changes in the brain that come naturally with old age.
One of the main symptoms of dementia is staring at walls without any reaction. The other symptoms might include anxiety, disorientation, insomnia, and desocialization from other dogs or people.
If a senior dog shows any of the following behaviors, it might have CCD:
Cant use the stairways and doors by itself
Fails to recognize its dog owner, family members, favorite toys, etc.
Becomes uninterested in walks, games, or going outside in general
Doesnt respond to its name
Gets sleep-wake inversion (sleeps during the day, stays awake during the night)
Walks aimlessly throughout the house
Gets lost in the house, back yard, or other familiar places
Pees or poops inside the house no matter how often it goes outside.
Gets stuck behind furniture or walks into room corners
Starts shaking without any reason while standing or lying down
Doesnt react to commands
Has difficulties following the dog training regimen including memorizing new commands, tasks, or routes
Doesnt seek owners attention or praise
Stares into space or at walls, and becomes afraid of interior lighting, the television, and other visual and audio stimuli
Hesitates from eating dog food, drinking water, or taking any treat
If you notice that your dog demonstrates any of the behaviors mentioned above, its time to call the vet.
Fortunately, CCD can be treated, but there are other diseases with similar symptoms that might cause serious conditions if not treated in time.
Make sure to react promptly in order to know what you and your furry friend are up against.
6. Infections.
This may come as a surprise to some dog owners, but different types of infections can be common reasons for canine disorientation.
But, before we continue, lets discuss the key signs of dog disorientation:
Head tilting
Darting eyes
Head tremors
Inability to stand
Vomiting
Motion sickness during car rides
Sudden falls
Disorientation may occur as an acute condition, but it may get worse over time depending on the exact cause.
A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) can cause disorientation, but if its not treated in time, it can lead to a more serious condition such as Cystitis.
Cystitis is a bladder infection that causes great discomfort and pain. Some of the clinical signs of this infection are frequent urination and hematuria (blood in the urine).
If you notice that your dog is urinating more than usual, you should contact a vet.
Other infections that might be the answer to why your dog just stares into space are:
Bacterial infection
Tooth infection
Kidney or lung infection
Ear infection
Wound infection (scratches, bites, or cuts)
In case youre wondering how you can recognize these infections, here are some of the most common signs:
Coughing
Dry nose
Vomiting
Lack of energy
Shivering
No appetite
Warm nose and ears
7. Seizures.
Unfortunately, seizures or epilepsy are a common occurrence among dogs.
But, the main issue is that dog seizures arent always easy to detect as they can be expressed in various ways.
Staring into space or at a wall can be a sign of a partial seizure, also known as a focal seizure.
This type of seizure isnt as obvious as a full-on attack, which is manifested by shaking, frothing at the mouth, and convulsions.
If your dog stares blankly into space and repeats this new behavior regularly, its time to look for an expert opinion.
Focal seizures might be caused by a variety of other conditions, from cancer and poisoning to epilepsy. Take your dog to the vet as soon as possible to exclude such serious medical conditions and begin treatment in time.
Another type of seizure that involves similar symptoms is the absence seizure. This medical condition is described as a milder form of epilepsy or petit mal (blank staring not followed by convulsions).
8. Compulsive behavior.
Photo from: @spitzverliebt
Dogs can have an irresistible impulse to perform a certain action or behavior, which doesnt make any sense at the moment.
Its important to understand that these behavior changes cant be controlled. Some dogs might repeat one or more actions inadvertently to the extent of exhausting themselves.
There are various displays of compulsive behavior, such as:
Barking
Shadow chasing
Blank staring
Spinning
Excessive chewing and licking
Toy fixation
Its hard to say what exactly causes this type of behavior, but there might be certain reasons that can serve as a trigger for this compulsive behavior:
Fear of entering a familiar place (for example, the dog might hesitate to go outside to pee or poop because of a traumatic experience)
Physical abuse and punishments
Lack of socialization with other dogs and humans
Regularly tied up or forced to stay in a small space
Attacked by other dogs in the family
In some cases, dogs with compulsive behavior might appear like aggressive canines, but keep in mind that the main cause of such behavior is usually fear.
The more attention you give your dog, the better itll feel, and the sooner itll heal!
9. Depression.
Dog depression cant be equated with the human condition, but there are some similarities between the two, especially when it comes to symptoms.
Losing interest in things that once made your dog excited and over the moon, irregular sleeping habits, staring at the wall or into space, and a loss of appetite are all signs that your dog might be in depression.
This condition may not be easy to identify in dogs, but if you notice that your dog sleeps more or less than before, doesnt want to play, or just stares off into the distance, look for an expert opinion.
Ways To Help Your Dog When It Stares Into Space
If you have ever felt the need to ask yourself, Why does my dog stare into space?, you were already well aware that something isnt right.
Dog owners are generally familiar with their dogs body language, and they can detect any change or unusual behavior as soon as it first appears.
Denying is not an answer to this issue. Its not easy to admit that there might be something wrong with your furry friend, but an immediate reaction can determine whether theres a reason to worry.
The main step toward helping your dog is recognizing the exact cause of this specific behavior. Pay attention to other details and possible symptoms. If you notice anything unusual, except for blank staring, make sure to mention it once you speak to the vet.
Provide your doggie with love and a safe environment, especially when it comes to an older dog. They might not have enough energy to play with you or go for long walks, but that doesnt mean they dont need your attention.
Im sure youre full of love and support for your pet, but make sure to share it as much as you can. Your love and attention might help them overcome any physical or mental condition, or at least ease the symptoms.
Final Thoughts
If you have ever wondered why dogs stare into space without any exact reason, I hope you found the answer you were looking for.Staring into space might seem insignificant at first, but its not something that should be overlooked.
Of course, theres no room for panicking as soon as your dog stares at nothing or at the wall for a few seconds, but if the staring occurs too often or if you notice any other symptom, its time to call the vet.
Unfortunately, some symptoms might be signs of more serious medical conditions, but the good news is that the majority of them are treatable, especially if you react in time!
Taking care of a dogs health is one of the main missions of every dog owner, along with giving cuddles and pets.
You know your dog better than anyone, and if you sense that something doesnt feel right, its time to ask for help.
Consider the vet as your best friend wholl always know the correct answer to all questions regarding your pet.
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