Puppy Temperament Test - Page 2

Kimmelot,

 I just had a look at the test and it's probably good for someone who can't spend much time looking at the puppies before selecting one. I personaly wouldn't allow anyone testing my pups to roll them on their backs and pin them for 30 sec.

These tests do not replace a keen eye and careful observation in my opinion.
The breeder should know what he has and have taken the time to do these observations from day one.

I have things I look for in a pup but could not give you an accurate set of guide lines to go by, only things to avoid.

What you see in a pup can change.

I've used the ENS on puppies to see if it made a difference, but had mixed results. You can get the same outcome by simply exposing puppies to various sights and sounds that occur naturally in a busy environment and not rely on a set of tasks.

Temperament tests, if you put any weight into them, are only a snapshot in time and a generalization.  Puppies can change and it's best to rely on observations from the breeder. Ask for specific things the puppies are doing, that you are interested in... and get a video if you can't go there in person. It helps.

In any case, it's just part of the selection process...there are several other things that factor into getting the best match possible.

I agree with both of you nothing replaces 8 weeks of observation by the breeder. I took my current litter out to see the world at 5 weeks and kept introducing them to new sights and sounds everyday. Some might call it socializing, but I was doing it to get a good picture of temperament and to find each pups strengths and weaknesses.

That is what socializing also means to me, a great way to judge character and all of the other plus and minuses.

Thing is, to choose a breeder who knows what they are looking at...and to be honest about it, not just blow smoke up a buyer's ass to make a sale.

I think they do gain in the long term. Many are still breeding and still selling their dogs that aren't what they were represented as.

I try to be as honest as possible with puppy buyers as well. If I don't have what they are looking for, I tell them so.