Temperament Testing for the Perfect Pup
Formal testing can show which pups are more assertive or dominant and which are more easy-going or submissive. First time owners are usually better off having a pup in the middle of the pack, neither too bossy nor too shy.
Brian had just bought his first house and he was looking forward to buying a dog to keep him company. All of his neighbors had dogs, but after getting to know them, he had even less of an idea what kind of dog he wanted. Polly, next door, was a marathon runner who had chosen a German Shorthair Pointer to accompany her on runs. Unfortunately, Fritz was the laziest Shorthair in the world! Max, the neighbor across the street, was outgoing and often had guests and parties, but he confessed his poor little Corgi was timid around people and frightened by the noise, atypical for this normally friendly breed. How could Brian be sure to find a dog that suited his own personality?
Brian was determined to locate a breeder who would help him find his perfect pup. He did a little research into temperament testing and discovered that, if observed closely, even young puppies show signs of their future personality. It is possible to determine, to a point, how a puppy will behave later in life.
Temperament Tests
A puppy buyer should ask whether formal temperament testing was done and what the results were. If testing was not conducted, ask why. Many responsible breeders feel that their observations over eight (or more) weeks are more astute than any formal testing. Formal testing, however, can show which pups are more assertive or dominant and which are more easy-going or submissive. First time owners are usually better off having a pup in the middle of the pack, neither too bossy nor too shy.
- Temperament tests are ideally conducted when the pups are about seven weeks old.
- A stranger should do the testing, so that pups’ reactions are fresh and not based on prior associations.
- Testing should be done in a place that is new to the pups. Any place that they haven’t played in before, such as a different room or part of the backyard, will do.
- The tests should happen between feedings, so that the puppies aren’t sleepy or too distracted by hunger.
- Each pup should be tested separately, away from littermates and the breeder.
- The breeder should make sure the pups are fully exercised before the test begins so that they aren’t bounding with energy.
- The tester should sit and call the pup, and then call again while walking away. A pup that follows willingly is responsive, whereas a pup that walks in the other direction might have an attitude similar to that of a human teenager!
- To show eagerness and responsiveness to moving objects, drag a towel for the pup to follow and toss a toy for him to retrieve. Retrievers are naturally better at retrieving. Those with a high chase drive (like sporting breeds, terriers, or sight hounds) are often better at pouncing on the towel. A toy breed or a working breed can be trained to do these things willingly, but their original instinct might lead them to yawn and curl up in your lap.
- Holding and petting the pup demonstrate reaction to restraint and human dominance. A restless, into-everything, high-energy pup will only stay an instant without struggling – often best for experienced owners who have high energy themselves! One that piddles or shakes with fear may be timid – a challenge for a household with six kids!
- Startle reaction and recovery time are discovered by opening an umbrella and making a sudden noise. A pup that attacks the umbrella will face any challenge without fear and may be too assertive for most families. One that runs away and hides may need slow exposure to new situations.
Trusting the Breeder
Although temperament tests are helpful, a sleepy pup can skew the results. The breeder has had the advantage of observing the pups over the eight weeks. These surrogate human moms and dads note the pups’ distinct personalities from birth. Some pups yowl and fight their way to the nipple and others snuggle quietly. Later, the friskiest and most determined climb their way out of the box first.
All healthy pups are friendly and playful, but some are bolder than others when it comes to new people and situations. Those that hang back tend to be more submissive. The ones that bounce forth, gleefully chewing on shoelaces and toes, are the most confident. Breeders will note which are more active, quiet, stubborn or responsive. People should look for a pup that will fit well into their own lifestyle. A dog that pleases an active, young family will not be the same one that pleases an eighty-year-old chess addict.
When Brian found a litter of Schnauzers, he asked the breeder if he could conduct the temperament tests. He’d had several dogs as a child, and he knew just what he wanted. These narrowed his preference to three of the seven pups. Within a litter, pups with good temperaments may still range from very active or responsive to less so. The breeder agreed that these three were suitable for Brian’s lifestyle, but her notes showed that one of the pups was more motivated by food or toys. That pup would more likely respond to training. Brian figured the breeder had eight weeks more experience watching the pups, and he chose the recommended pup. Eight months later, he was enjoying a great relationship with a pup that fit his own personality and lifestyle to a T.
Chris Walkowicz is an award-winning author, president emeritus of the Dog Writers Association of America and an AKC judge.