I love all animals. I have a dog and he is like my second kid.

But I am allergic to cats, so I can't have one. Just have to enjoy my mom's kitties and wash and sinus rinse thoroughly after associating with them.

I can honestly say, I love both equally. I have always had cats and dogs from childhood on. When I married my ex-husband I had to rehome my two cats because he has asthma and is allergic to cats. I also love birds, lizards, snakes, fish, turtles and frogs and have had all as pets at one time or another in my life.

Definitely dogs, but cats seem to love me despite my relative lack of interest in them. Seems strange, but maybe they are into unrequited love?

I suspect my preference has a lot to do with growing up in a farming/ranching community. Dogs were working partners and guardians, while cats lived in the barn.

I think my profile picture answers this question

DH and I are total dog people! I love cats too - we had our dear Jasper for 18 years - but I will always have and love dogs (both of mine are sitting next to me right now, waiting patiently for their bedtime snack).

Dog person here, and a total introvert! I think my beagle gets me in a way no person ever could!

A good mix of dog and cat people, but most of you didn't say whether you're extraverted (extroverted? never know how to spell that one) or introverted! So I can't do my informal survey. Lol.

One interesting thing is that many of you are so very emphatic about your preference (I am too, so no judging here!).

chewyspaghetti, I've noticed that too. Men don't generally like cats as much. There's no stereotype of the "crazy cat gentleman". It's always a lady! Lol. But I have no idea why, to be honest. And it's not universal -- I dated a man once who was very fond of his cats. He had two. Maybe that's why it fizzled out with him, lol. I am fundamentally dog-oriented.

Sisi, yes, I think I know what you mean. Dogs are devoted in a way that cats aren't. I think the reason cat people are cat people is that they don't appreciate blind devotion as much, or perhaps they value independence more.

Beth and Anne, I forgot that some people are actually "secret option C" (some other kind of animal!). I wasn't expecting goats as an answer, though.

Staysfit, we had a semi-trained cocker spaniel/poodle cross too! She was a lovely, sweet dog, and everybody wanted to cuddle her, despite the fact that she could be a bit naughty when it came to sandwich-stealing and trying to jump into people's cars. She loved everybody. (And she loved stolen food! She wasn't nearly as interested in food that she was given). I will do a better training job on our next dog!

kerry, it's so true that cats are less work. It's way less of an investment. I'm sure we'd have one if we weren't all so allergic (it's not just me; it's my whole family).

Diplomatic as always, Angie.

Will respond to the rest of you later -- got to get the kids to bed!

Equally introvert/extrovert here.

Also, while there's no equivalent of crazy cat lady for men - there is the phrase 'he has a cat wife.'

Dogs all the way, and more extroverted than introverted, though I am a writer, so there's that. But dogs are good company for writing days, and I like people the rest of the time .

Cat person who also grew up with and loves dogs.

Why don't I have one then? Mainly because for the past few decades my life has involved so much travel and upheaval -- it just hasn't seemed fair or right or just.

But I'm truly miserable without a cat in the house. And cats can manage better with temporary caregivers. Though ours hates to be alone and really prefers us to anyone. (He is a Siamese).

I'm an outgoing introvert. If that makes sense. People don't peg me as an introvert, but alone time is what I need to remain sane.

A cat story: My dad and step- mother have cats. One of them I had never seen until one day I was in the bathroom sitting on the toilet. Suddenly the cabinet door under the sink snapped open and shut closed again very quickly! It was startling! I decided to investigate. Before I could, it happened again, but the second time I could catch a glimpse of a cat paw deliberately opening and closing the cabinet door. It was Lurker, the mystery cat. I later learned that Lurker could do this with the linen closet also. Lurker is rarely seen.......

Definitely a dog person. But I was raised with cats and loved them dearly. My mum still has cats and I enjoy visiting them. Especially when they sit on your lap and purr But I got my first dog at 18 and it changed my life in ways it is impossible to describe. They are such loving, joyous, loyal companions. I just can't imagine living without them. And I am like Suz - an outgoing introvert. People are generally surprised to hear I am an introvert but I definitely am. Having a dog sometimes helps me to be more social (eg I have made friends at the local dog park) but also sometimes prevents me from being more social. I always give my dog priority and hate to leave her at home alone, which tends to rule out after work social events.

I'm a dog person and an outgoing introvert as well. But I love visiting friends with cats. One of my close friends has a real snuggler that sits on my lap and purrs the whole time. It's very relaxing to pet her, but when I get home I have to put my clothes straight in the washer because my husband is quite allergic.

Spotted on Amazon.com. Maybe this explains the popularity of cats (and dogs).

I am a dog person and extreme introvert. I like cats, and grew up with one, but am very allergic.

I didn't know I was a dog person until I got my first dog at age 35. Before that, I would have said I was a bird person. Now, I never want to be without a dog -- I think it keeps me sane. This year we got a second dog, and while I've heard differing opinions on the subject of one vs two dogs, having two has been a great experience for us, even with the challenges the second dog brings (rescue dog who went through several homes). It has been wonderful to see the bond form between the two dogs, and the rescue dog settle in and start to trust us.

Introvert here.

Suz, Meredith, Brooklyn: high five outgoing introverts! That's what I am too. People wouldn't guess, except close friends and family, who know that I have an absolute maximum of visiting time before I need to escape into solitude to regroup. (Dogs do not interfere with this process -- I can be "alone" with a dog -- although if circumstances were different, I suspect a cat would work too!).

Rachy, you probably count as an outgoing introvert too. Interesting that there seem to be several of us extra/introverts who are also dog people.

Lucy, can a writer not be an extravert? I too used to like having my dog sit by my feet while I worked.

Staysfit, that's a funny story! My best friend's cat is a ghost cat too. I've only seen him a handful of times and he must be about fifteen by now. Mostly he hides under beds when people come.

Xtabay, LOL!

deb, kerlyn and Runswithscissors, there you go! You are shooting holes into the theory that dog people are extraverted, as I was hoping. (kerlyn, I grew up with a beagle! Does yours obsess over food too? Ours used to break into things -- we had to have locks on all our cupboards).

Gaylene, cats often want to come sit on me too. I think there's a simple explanation: cats prefer people who don't grab at them.

Ummlila, I suspect I would be fond of cats too, if I'd ever had a chance to get to know one. For some reason none of my relatives ever had a cat (although many have dogs), and few of my friends have one (except my best friend, but her cat spends all his time in the attic or under beds, so he doesn't count).

Aargh, Summer, I could do without dead rodent "gifts" as well! Although I cheer on the neighbourhood tortoiseshell kitty who prowls our backyard -- I know she's out there keeping the mouse population down! We had a bit of an issue with rodents last year, because of the drought.

I grew up with both. Until a decade or so ago I would have said I'm more of a cat person, but since the last of my kitties died 13 years ago, I'd now have to say I'm more of a dog person. I love them all, but we've had just dogs for years now. Who knows, maybe someday that will change (dogs certainly are higher maintenance), but now it seems that dogs are our choice. We had a cat on the ranch, but he disappeared and never returned.

My transition to dog person was definitely enabled by my husband. When we got together, he had a dog and I had two cats! Almost 19 years later, we have four dogs. And 400 cows.

Yes! Our beagle is totally food obsessed! I have to double check that the pantry door is shut before leaving the house, or who knows what I'd come home to!

Cats! We have three, but I love certain dogs and am actually trying to convince my husband that we should have one. Like Suz I'm an "outgoing introvert."

I grew up with both cats and dogs. I rescued a cat when I was in my early twenties. Then I rescued my mothers guard dog Chow and turned her into a spoiled house dog. Her name was Sheena. She would spin around really fast, then jump on you. She was like the Tasmanian devil from the cartoons. I started to call her Shedevel, and eventually shortened it to shedev.
I like cats, but I'm firmly a dog lover. A good dog is a life partner for the time they bless your life. They are happy when you are happy and sad when you are sad. They are always up for an adventure with you. They will put themselves in harms way to protect you.

I have only had dogs but cats love you back, too and are easier to keep if you are not allergic to them. You just cannot expect for a cat to act like a dog or vice versa. Why should it be either or? I also love birds, particularly parrots and watching songbirds, they are very smart little creatures.

It's true that cats can love you back. My rescue kitty was very loving. We took the dogs hiking yesterday. My cat really would not have enjoyed that.

I saw someone taking his cat for walk on a leash once. The cat seemed to enjoy it.

Cats all the way. Another outgoing introvert here.

Cats!

Solidly in the BOTH category. In fact, I've rarely met an animal I don't like. We have 2 dogs (one big galoot, one small pillow-hound), 3 cats, an aquatic turtle and a 6-year-old goldfish. Our household is full of life indeed as I also have two teenage sons and a husband. I'd say I'm an extroverted introvert. I think by talking, but crave a shot of quiet alone time (pets don't count) every single day.

I have both. I think cats are harder to warm up to and you have to have one to really get why people love cats. They're not usually super friendly with strangers the way dogs are. Both my older boys (8 and 10) are definitely cat people although they were raised with both dogs and cats. I have no idea why. The 2-year old is a dog person - him and our dog are best friends.

I'm an extrovert who has always had at least one cat. All of my cats (with the exception of one crazy one) have been very friendly and love to hang out with whomever will sit still and allow a fur blanket on their lap. My son (11) loves all animals so I've caved and we are looking to add a dog to the family. He wants fluffy and I want BIG so Great Pyranees it is! I'm overwhelmed by the process of them determining if we are worthy enough to own an abandoned dog.

Definitely a dog person with severe cat allergies. I avoid going to see anyone with a cat because if it had been in the room even if not at the time I'm there, I get sick. It is embarrassing because the cat owner thinks they should have cleaned house better. I doubt it would make any difference.