by Denna Ochs

Created on: October 14, 2009   Last Updated: October 18, 2009

A soul is often defined as one's personality. We sometimes refer to the soul as the spirit that exists within the body. Dogs do have a soul and, just as in humans, the soul will continue to grow if given the opportunity. Dogs, like humans, can be introverts or extroverts or a mix of the two personality types. Some dogs thrive on being the center of attention or the life of the party while other dogs want to just be a lap dog.

Dogs also exhibit character traits just like humans do. Dogs are loyal, rebellious, affectionate, aloof, devoted, interested, persistent, stubborn, sensitive, selfish, enthusiastic, forgiving, resentful, friendly, hardworking, lazy, jealous, clumsy, mischievous, funny, athletic, and loving. The loyalty of a dog is amazing; there are stories of dogs that travel thousands of miles to be reunited with their owners. The rebellious nature of a dog is evidenced by stories of furniture being chewed to pieces or sofa cushions being destroyed. A special toy can keep the interest of a dog for long hours; if in doubt, take a Labrador Retriever outside and throw her a tennis ball. If you question whether or not a dog is hardworking, ask a friend who has a dog that incessantly digs holes or remember the Alaskan Malamutes that sled many miles in the harshest of conditions. Nothing defines clumsy better than a goofy Boxer puppy or a big St. Bernard; imagine those two breeds in a glass shop. Then, consider the athleticism of a Greyhound or the intelligence of a German Shepherd. However, the most intriguing trait is the love that a dog gives to a new born child or to an owner ailing in health. While some dog personality traits are endearing others are loathed; we can say that for humans as well.

Next, consider the consciousness which is the awareness of the surroundings. Do dogs respond to what is going on around them? Dogs can understand when someone is angry with them and they can sense when someone is showing them affection. Dogs know when they are being threatened and they know when they are being enjoyed. Perhaps they don't know how to talk or understand out native tongue, but they do understand the body language and they understand the tone of the sounds that they hear. Dogs can be conditioned to respond to accordingly, which indicates they have the concept of what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

The bottom line is that a dog does have a soul. The degree of its development depends on the type of interactions and experiences the dog has had throughout its life.

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