Puppy Temperament Test
We had our friend and breeder, Dianne Ellis, temperament test our pups today. Dianne has been training animals forever, and has a degree in Animal Science from UNH (just like Amanda). I don't know how much the test means in real life. Seeing the test and seeing that the results were not any kind of a surprise actually made the testing seem more valid than I had previously thought. It helped us quantify some of the behavior we already saw in the yard. I also know the same test was given to Winnie and she proved to be a dominant pup, and was when she came here. She did not remain so...
GTO, when pinned on his back was quick with the tooth. He's also 40% smaller than his littermates, so it comes as no surprise to me that when pinned, he bites. Does it foretell a dominant streak that will last forever? I just don't know. He will need owners who can correct the puppy nipping quickly to put an end to it.
Mustang always seems to be the last to come. Does it mean he's not attracted to people? Dianne suggests he might be more aloof around the house, and might be a one-man (or woman) kind of dog. That reminds me of my Diva, but she was more like Portia as a puppy.
We talked about the pups we found attractive and why, and they were the more up-tempo dogs in the batch. More dominant is always attractive in a puppy. It makes me wonder if the softer dogs aren't "the" dogs to own. It would go a long way on my theory about the "last pick" dogs being some of the finest I've ever seen.
I wish I had some crystal ball that would tell me how the dogs would be in the future, but for now, this is the best picture I can provide. I do know the pups I've sold who turned out "better" than the others went to more dedicated trainers and hunters. That's probably the reason I'm picky about where they go. Good owners take a good puppy and make him better.
GTO, when pinned on his back was quick with the tooth. He's also 40% smaller than his littermates, so it comes as no surprise to me that when pinned, he bites. Does it foretell a dominant streak that will last forever? I just don't know. He will need owners who can correct the puppy nipping quickly to put an end to it.
Mustang always seems to be the last to come. Does it mean he's not attracted to people? Dianne suggests he might be more aloof around the house, and might be a one-man (or woman) kind of dog. That reminds me of my Diva, but she was more like Portia as a puppy.
We talked about the pups we found attractive and why, and they were the more up-tempo dogs in the batch. More dominant is always attractive in a puppy. It makes me wonder if the softer dogs aren't "the" dogs to own. It would go a long way on my theory about the "last pick" dogs being some of the finest I've ever seen.
I wish I had some crystal ball that would tell me how the dogs would be in the future, but for now, this is the best picture I can provide. I do know the pups I've sold who turned out "better" than the others went to more dedicated trainers and hunters. That's probably the reason I'm picky about where they go. Good owners take a good puppy and make him better.
| GTO | Rudy |
Corvair |
Mustang |
Portia | ||
| Social Attraction |
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 hesitant, tail down 6 Didn't come at all |
2 | 2 | 2 | 6 Confidently Investigated Surroundings |
2 |
| Following | 1 Came readily, tail up, got underfoot, bit at feet 2 Came readily, tail up, got underfoot 3 * Came readily, tail up 4 Came readily, tail down 5 Came hesitantly, tail down 6 No follow or went away |
3 | 1 |
3 | 6 Confidently Investigated Surroundings |
3 |
| Restraint | 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 |
1 | 2 | 3 | Whine 3 |
3 |
| Social Dominance |
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 |
3 | 2 | 4/5 | 3 | 2 |
| Elevation | 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 |
3 | 3 |
3 | 3 | 3 |
| Retrieving | 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 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| Touch Sensitivity |
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 |
3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sound Sensitivity |
1 Listens, locates sound, walks towards it barking 2 Listens, locates sound, barks 3 Listens, locates sound, shows curiosity and walks towards sound 4 Listens locates the sound 5 Cringes, backs off, hides 6 Ignores sound, shows no curiosity |
3 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
| Stability Sight Sensitivity |
1 Looks, attacks, bites 2 Looks, barks, tail up 3 Looks curiously, attempts to investigate 4 Looks, barks, tail-tuck 5 Runs away, hides |
1 |
3 |
3 |
3/4 |
2/3 |
| Middle of the road with dominance on restraint |
Dominant but less active defense |
Middle of the road pup. Could go anywhere |
Softest male, very forgiving, more inhibited |
Nice all-around pup. |
Posted by Todd Chrisman at July 27, 2008 
Categories: Non Hunters, C Litter, Breeding Whelping Selling Pups
Categories: Non Hunters, C Litter, Breeding Whelping Selling Pups
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