Temperment Test

  Svectzhaus German Shepherds Specializing in Long hair German Shepherd & plush puppies

Call 209-321-2820

Since my breeding is limited to a planned occasional litter. I have been asked to help  find a pup...

 

  • The first thing I do is judge the home is it clean? Smelly? What do the other dogs look like? Are they well groomed? This is a basic aide to preventing a lot of diseases that develop from less than sanitary conditions.
  • Next I ask to see Mom and Dad. Are they polite? Friendly? Nervous or overly protective that I am here? What have they done or what is their job? Are they trained in verious events?  Then I look at the pedigree to see what their ancestors have accomplished. Is it a pink slip (for dogs registered in Germany) or AKC litter registered (not just the parents are registered but the litter as well.)  Is the paperwork limited or do you have breeding rights. Click here for information on backyard breeders.
  • Next, have the dogs been evaluated by someone other than the breeder?  Why are they breeding? Do they know about the breed? You would be surprised how many back yard breeders don’t know how the breed started, why and what the standard in Germany and or the AKC is.
  • Next I check for OFA (hip x-ray) perhaps an elbow x ray as well. This lets me know the bloodline better. In Germany the A stamp is approved for breeding and the hips have passed. In the USA we send our results to OFA and they are rated. As I mentioned before it is good but nothing is perfect.
  • Next we move on to the pup. Temperament is the most important. Color is second along with coat type. I first watch the litter. There is always three, the alpha, bully, and the passive pup. Depending on the needs of my client we do a temper test. This is a series of teststhat help me evaluate the dog to the person. Then I will narrow it down to two and the pup generally picks the owner. Make sure the pup is active, with no watery eyes or sniffles. You want a good healthy bouncy pup.

 You don’t know how to test? General rules of thumb don’t get the most aggressive nor the most timid. Somewhere in the middle is a good compromise for most GSD work.  Be friends with your breeder. Don’t call for every little thing but feel confident that she or he will give you an honest opinion of what works and doesn’t for them.

Don’t be offended if they ask you questions. They are placing their pups in your care and they love dogs otherwise they wouldn’t have bred to begin with.

Congratulations and may you have many years together in friendship and love.

Lee Svec :)

 

© 2007 GSDcoats.com.® All Rights Reserved.

Test

Purpose

Score Code

Social Attraction
- Procedure -
Place puppy in test area about four feet from the tester. Tester kneels, leans backwards and coaxes the pup to her/him by clapping hands gently.

Measures degree of social attraction to people, confidence, or dependence.

1- Came readily, tail up, jumped, bit at hands

2- Came readily, tail up, pawed, licked at hands
3- Came readily, tail up.
4- Came readily, tail down
5- Came hesitantly, tail down.
6- Didn't come at all.

Following
- Procedure -
The tester stands up and slowly walks away encouraging the puppy to follow. Make sure the pup sees you walk away. Coax puppy to follow by talking to it and attracting its attention.

Willingness to follow a person.

1- Followed readily, tail up, got underfoot,
bit at feet.
2- Followed readily, tail up, got underfoot.
3- Followed readily, tail up
4- Followed readily, tail down.
5- Followed hesitantly, tail down.
6- No follow or went away.

Restraint
- Procedure -
Crouch down and gently roll the pup
on his back and hold it with one
hand for a full 30 seconds.

Degree of dominant or submissive tendency. How it accepts stress when socially/physically dominated.

1- Struggled fiercely, flailed, bit.
2- Struggled fiercely, flailed.
3- Settled, struggled, settled with some
eye contact.
4- Struggled then settled.
5- No struggle.
6- No struggle, straining to avoid eye contact.

Social Dominance
- Procedure -
Let pup standup and gently stroke him from the head to back while you crouch beside him.
Continue stroking until a recognizable behavior is established.

Degree of acceptance of social dominance. Pup may try to dominate by jumping and nipping or is independent and walks away.

1- Jumped, pawed, bit, growled.
2- Jumped, pawed.
3- Cuddles up to tester and tries to lick
face.
4- Squirmed, licked at hands.
5- Rolled over, licked at hands.
6- Went away and stayed away.

Elevation Dominance
- Procedure -
Bend over and cradle the pup under
its belly, fingers interlaced, palms
up and elevate it just off the ground.
Hold it there for 30 seconds.

Degree of accepting
dominance while in
position of no control.

1- Struggled fiercely, bit, growled.
2- Struggled fiercely.
3- No struggle, relaxed
4- Struggled, settled, licked
5- No struggle, licked at hands.
6- No struggle, froze.

Retrieving
- Procedure -

Crouch beside pup and attract his attention with crumpled up
paper ball. When the pup shows interest and is watching, toss the object 4-6 feet in front of pup.

Degree of willingness
to work with a human. High correlation
between ability to
retrieve and successful guide dogs, obedience
dogs, field trial dogs.

1- Chases object, picks up object and
runs away.
2- Chases object, stands over object,
does not return.
3- Chases object and returns with object
to tester.
4- Chases object and returns without
object to tester.
5- Starts to chase object, loses interest.
6- Does not chase object.

Touch Sensitivity
- Procedure -
Take puppy's webbing of one
front foot and press between finger and thumb lightly then more firmly till you get a response, while you count slowly to 10. Stop as soon as puppy pulls away, or shows discomfort.
*Do NOT use fingernail.

Degree of sensitivity to
touch.

1- (8-10) counts before response.
2- (6-7) counts before response.
3- (5-6) counts before response.
4- (2-4) counts before response.
5- (1-2) counts before response.

Sound Sensitivity
- Procedure -
Place pup in the center of area, tester or assistant makes a sharp noise a few feet from the puppy. A large metal spoon struck sharply on a metal pan twice works well.

Degree of sensitivity to
sound. (Also can be a
rudimentary test for
deafness.)

1- Listens, locates sound, walks toward
it barking.
2- Listens, locates sound, barks.
3- Listens, locates sound, shows
curiosity and walks toward sound.
4- Listens, locates the sound.
5- Cringes, backs off, hides.
6- Ignores sound, shows no curiosity.

Sight Sensitivity
- Procedure -
Place pup in center of room. Tie a string around a large towel and jerk it across the floor a few feet away from puppy.

Degree of intelligent
response to strange
object.

1- Looks, attacks and bites.
2- Looks, barks and tail up.
3- Looks curiously, attempts to
investigate.
4- Looks, barks, tail-tuck.
5- Runs away, hides.

Interpreting the Scores

Mostly 1's. A puppy that consistently scores a 1 in the temperament section of the test is an extremely dominant, aggressive puppy who can easily be provoked to bite. His dominant nature will attempt to resist human leadership, thus requiring only the most experienced of handlers. This puppy is a poor choice for most individuals and will do best in a working situation as a guard or police dog.

Mostly 2's. This puppy is dominant and self-assured. He can be provoked to bite' however he readily accepts human leadership that is firm, consistent and knowledgeable. This is not a dog for a tentative, indecisive individual.  In the right hands, he has the potential to become a fine working or show dog and could fit into an adult household, provided the owners know what they are doing.

Mostly 3's. This pup is outgoing and friendly and will adjust well in situations in which he receives regular training and exercise. He has a flexible temperament that adapts well to different types of environment, provided he is handled correctly. May be too much dog for a family with small children or an elderly couple who are sedentary.

Mostly 4's. A pup that scores a majority of 4's is an easily controlled, adaptable puppy whose submissive nature will make him continually look to his master for leadership. This pup is easy to train, reliable with kids, and, though he lacks self-confidence, makes a high-quality family pet. He is usually less outgoing than a pup scoring in the 3's, but his demeanor is gentle and affectionate.

Mostly 5's. This is a pup who is extremely submissive and lacking in self-confidence. He bonds very closely with his owner and requires regular companionship and encouragement to bring him out of himself. If handled incorrectly, this pup will grow up very shy and fearful. For this reason, he will do best in a predictable, structured lifestyle with owners who are patient and not overly demanding, such as an elderly couple.

Mostly 6's. A puppy that scores 6 consistently is independent and uninterested in people. He will mature into a dog who is not demonstrably affectionate and who has a low need for human companionship. In general, it is rare to see properly socialized pups test this way' however there are several breeds that have been bred for specific tasks (such as basenjis, hounds, and some northern breeds) which can exhibit this level of independence. To perform as intended, these dogs require a singularity of purpose that is not compromised by strong attachments to their owner.

The remainder of the puppy test is an evaluation of obedience aptitude and and working ability and provides a general picture of a pup's intelligence, spirit, and willingness to work with a human being. For most owners, a good companion dog will score in the 3 to 4 range in this section of the test. Puppies scoring a combination of 1's and 2's require experienced handlers who will be able to draw the best aspects of their potential from them.

This is only a test and each dog is an individual and with your help and guidance I have seen dogs that scored in the 1’s and 2’s be the most loving gentle dogs as adults and visa versa. This is only a guide and not a declaration. :)

Have fun and enjoy your friend and best buddy.  That will rate the best of ALL !

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