The person behind the personality

     People have personalities. So my question, or topic of discussion for this blog is whether dogs can have a personality or not. According to the American Kennel Club, German Shepards are seen to be the worlds leading Military, police, and guard dogs. Yet this reputation is clarified by a general set of tendencies, usually being seen as mean or overly protective.

     I can tell you first hand that my dog is extremely protective, she will stand up too anyone coming between me and her that she hasn't seen before. This bond that was built between us was established almost as soon as we were pulling in the driveway to bring her home. By that time she had already fallen asleep. My dog follows me everywhere now and basically she is in my shadow every chance she can get. This dog listens to me, and usually only me, but despite the fact that she is always with me, she always has her own way of doing things, for instance she always showing her energetic jitteryness that she shows all the time. She always barks or squeals when she wants something, but only in her own unique voice. She always jumps up on me, and normally only me, she reaches all the way up to my shoulders and is so big now that her paws extended over my shoulders, her head is buried in my chest. Her eyes are squinted, ears are back, and she cuddles closer, and closer, and then as close as she can get. The explanation for this on account of the American Kennel Club, te German Shepard's best friend, is actually in fact a child. 

     Back to the question now, I believe it's not just a radical personification to say that my dog has a personality, yet I think it can be justified in her actions, perhaps simply because I personally have never seen a dog act this way. Sure, maybe in a movie, but not in real life, not with me, not with anyone. I think that it's perfectly acceptable to say that my dog Hannah is bright, energetic, and caring, which normally is only said about humans. Yet this is not the case in my household.

per·son·al·i·ty

 noun \ˌpər-sə-ˈna-lə-tē, ˌpər-ˈsna-\

: the set of emotional qualities, ways of behaving, etc., that makes a person different from other people

: attractive qualities (such as energy, friendliness, and humor) that make a person interesting or pleasant to be with

: attractive qualities that make something unusual or interesting

sources:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

"Personality." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.

American kennel Club

"German Shepherd Dog History | American Kennel Club." German Shepherd Dog History | American Kennel Club. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.