temperament

Don't make a same-day decision. Remember, think about it like buying a car, not like picking up a candy bar in the supermarket check-out aisle. manners.gif (9285 bytes)

Don't buy a dog as a "surprise" for someone else. Imagine how you would feel if someone else surprised you by choosing a new roommate for you. A dog is a very personal choice.

After you have surveyed the situation, bring entire family to meet a dog to make sure the dog fits in well with everyone. Some places will even allow you to bring along an existing family pet.

Know the general breed traits for which the breed (or breeds) was selected for over the years (hunting, running, chasing vermin, herding) -- these instincts will be very strong in a purebred dog.
Ask about the dog's background. Try to determine the dogs' experiences with humans and other dogs.

Always temperament test the dog to know what you are getting. Use the Puppy Temperament Test for dogs under 5 months and the Adult Temperament Test for dogs over 5 months. (See the charts below!)

Always observe a dog for awhile before interacting with it. Compare the behavior of the dog you are looking at to other dogs.
Before doing a temperament test on a grown dog, you should take some precautions. If the dog
makes no attempts to be friendly, is agitated, has a stiff stance, or is hyper-active, do not attempt to evaluate the dog. Where the chart says stop, make sure to stop.
Temperament test only one dog at a time. Remove that dog away from other dogs to a quiet and neutral environment.
Make sure the dog has had a chance to do its business before testing and don't test at right before or after meal time for best results.
Remember to be realistic about the type of temperament that will fit into your household. Most people, especially first-time dog owners, want a responsive, adaptable dog.

Temperament Test

Symbol	Types
	Responsive Adaptable Bonds well to humans Good dogs for first-time owners
	Nervous Shy Fearful Unpredictable Usually not good dogs around children
	Aggressive Dominant Unpredictable Usually not good dogs around children or other pets
	Independent Stubborn Good outdoor only dogs

Temperament Test for Puppies:

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* Make sure to separate the dog to be tested from its littermates and mother.

* You will need a collar, a leash, keys, a squeaky toy, canned dog food and a bowl for these tests.

References: Puppy Personality Profile. Wendy Volhard and Melissa Barlett. Available from DIRECT BOOK SERVICE CATALOG
Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide. Michele Lowell. Available from DIRECT BOOK SERVICE CATALOG

	RESPONSIVE	SHY	AGGRESSIVE	INDEPENDENT
Pet the puppy in a stroking motion from head to toe, picking up feet, tail, and ears.	Is the puppy accepting and willing to be petted and examined?	Is the puppy sensitive about one particular part?	Is it sensitive about all parts? Does it try to bite your hand?	Is the puppy completely uninterested in your petting?
Pick the puppy up and cradle him like a baby or (for a larger dog) gently roll him over, belly up and feet in air. Place your hand gently over his throat.	Does the puppy allow you to place your hand over its throat without a struggle?	Are its eyes wide with fear and its body stiff?	Does the puppy wiggle madly to right itself? Does it growl and bite at your hand?	Does it wiggle to right itself and then hurry away to do something else?
Test the puppy's reaction to sound: Use your voice to make a) a high pitched noise b) a deep gruff noise c) a whistle. Throw a squeaky toy near the puppy. Rattle a set of keys.	Is the puppy curious and wagging its tail?	Does the puppy look scared and run away?	Does the puppy try to bite and attack the objects? Does he bark loudly at you?	Does the puppy ignore all of the sounds and act disinterested?
Put a collar and leash on the puppy: Wait and observe the puppy's reaction. Then try to move a few steps with the puppy.	Does the puppy not react at all to the leash and collar or react with some curiosity? Does he walk with you?	Does it freeze in its tracks and not want to move?	Does the puppy bite at the leash and want to tug on it?	Does it completely ignore the fact that you are at the other end of the leash and show no interest in walking with you?
Test the puppy's reaction to the outside: Take the puppy outside. Try to find squirrels, birds, cats, and other people to expose it to.	Does it stick near to you but show a curious interest in these other things?	Does the puppy cower and run the other way?	Does it bark furiously and lunge at everything it sees?	Does it act very uninterested in the things you show it but very interested in everything else it finds on its own?
7. Test the puppy's responsiveness to food: Give the puppy food in a bowl and fill it with canned dog food. Before the puppy finishes, remove the bowl and take the food away.	Does the puppy wag its tail and look expectantly at you?	Is it too scared to eat ?	Does it bite your hands, bark, growl or jump up on you to get the food back?	Does the puppy act very uninterested?

Temperament Test for Dogs:

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* Before doing a temperament test on a grown dog, you should take some precautions. Always evaluate in the presence of another adult. If you have no background information about the dog at all, you must proceed with caution and stop if the dog shows any signs of resistance. If the dog makes no attempts to be friendly, is agitated, has a stiff stance, or is hyper-active, do not attempt to evaluate the dog. Do not evaluate an intact (un-neutered) male dog or a female dog in heat. Be sure to end the test with the dog as soon as shows signs of being aggressive in any way.

* You will need a collar, a leash, a chair, a few dog toys, a 4-6' long rope, a 3' stick or a broom, a piece of paper, canned dog food and a bowl for these tests.

References: "Temperament Testing for Shelter Dogs". A seminar by Sue Sternberg. Video available from Puppyworks.
Choosing a Shelter Dog". Bob Christiansen. Available from DIRECT BOOK SERVICE CATALOG
"Shelter dog activity-level-rating" information from Gene Takagi of the San Francisco S.P.C.A.

	RESPONSIVE	SHY	AGGRESSIVE	INDEPENDENT
Put the dog on a leash. Test the dog's reaction to the outside: Take the dog outside. Try to find squirrels, birds, cats, and other people to expose it to. Call the dog over to look at something.	Does it walk near you but show a curious interest in these other things?	Does it cower and run the other way?	Does it bark furiously and lunge at everything it sees? END TEST	Does it act very uninterested in the things you show it but very interested in everything else it finds?
Come inside, but keep the dog on a leash. Sit in a chair and neutrally observe the dog.	Does the dog lick or nudge your hand? Does it look at you as if to ask for attention? Does it wag its tail?	Does the dog cower and avoid and interaction?	Does the dog mouth you? Does it jump up on you roughly? END TEST	Does the dog strain at the end of the leash toward some distant smell or noise?
Talk in a high-pitched, squeaky voice to the dog for 30 seconds. Stop and suddenly go neutral.	Does the dog respond to your change in behavior?	Does the dog avoid interacting with you?	Does the dog jump up, mount, or mouth you? END TEST	Does the dog not seem affected by your change in behavior?
Test the dog's reaction to toys: Use toys to get the dog excited and playing for 30 seconds. Stop and suddenly drop the toy.	Does the dog play with you, but also respond to your change in behavior?	Does the dog avoid interacting with you?	Does the dog jump up, mount, or mouth you? Does the dog take the toy and try to run off with it? END TEST	Is the dog unable to change in response to your change in behavior?
Test the dog's prey drive: With the dog on a leash, have another person run by several times, dragging a toy behind and making a "hissing noise".	Is the dog more focused on the runner than the toy? Does the dog wag its tail?	Does the dog act afraid of the runner and the noise?	Does the dog whine and strain to go after the runner? Does it bark uncontrollably? END TEST	Does the dog ignore the runner and the mouse?
Toss a crumpled piece of paper on the ground. While the dog is sniffing it, yell "Hey! Give me that!" Use a long stick or broom-handle to take the piece of paper away.	Does the dog stop immediately and come back to you as if to "apologize"?	Does the dog cower and try to run away?	Does it grab the paper and try to run off with it?	Does it not react at all to your yelling?
Pet the dog in a stroking motion from head to toe several times. Observe the dog's reaction closely.	Is it accepting and willing to be petted and examined?	Does the dog sink down under your hand?	Does it remain very stiff? Is it sensitive about any parts? Does it utter a growl? END TEST	Is it completely uninterested in your petting?
7. Test the dog's responsiveness to food: Give the dog food in a bowl and fill it with canned dog food. Before the dog finishes, use a long stick or broom-handle to pull the bowl away.	Does the dog wag its tail and look expectantly at you?	Is it too scared to eat ?	Does it lift its lips, bite at the stick, bark, growl, or jump up on you to get the food back? END TEST	Does it act very uninterested in food at all?

This page was last updated on 07/17/03.

The Choosing the Perfect Dog Web site is based upon a class designed by Michele Godlevski in 1994. This class was featured in the AKC Gazette in 1995.

Black & white drawings by Jane Finneran.

None of the images on this page may be used without permission.

Site and text written by Michele Godlevski.