Volhard Puppy aptitude test... - Page 3

I have my own series of tests I use and when I sat and read the vollhard tests I noticed many of them and what I do are very similar.  I don't score them or anything, I just take note of what I see.

Quick edit: If a breeder is going to be biased regarding their pups, that's a problem. Subjectivity is vital when breeding animals.

Kczaja,
It is very important that a breeder know his puppies and what to look for, for a specific purpose...A breeder can actually notice certain characteristis of their puppies very early on even when still nursing......At least you have read the Volhard test and know that you are interested in what they have to say about the testing....Thanks for your reply...Trying to keep this on topic and you helped...THANKS AGAIN....

KCzaja - that's how I feel .. how can you be bias unless your planning on keeping one for  yourself ? It would be a huge problem to sell some the lazy joe in the litter for serious SCH training even if he was your favorite .. doesnt make sence to me.

Kim, I always had someone knowledgeable to do the testing...Its very interesting to watch your babies under the hand of someone else....But thats when you realize that you have once again succeeded and its not just your hopes..Its for real...

I'm not saying people do it on purpose but they do cut favorites slack or in the least not test each pup the same as the last. People have a tendancy to be harder on the tuff ones and easier with the ones we know are softer. Someone who doesn't know the pups as individuals, will not be apt to do such.

I think this is critical.  Right now I have a clients 2 Pit pups, 7 mos. old, same litter.  They are almost identical in looks, but so different in temperament.  One is bold, somewhat animal-aggressive, strong willed, broke out of a cage already, he bit the bars off a crate destroying it.  The other is a little scared of new things, and more compliant and quiet, just lays on his blanket and rests.  The other factor in this type of case is how the 2 personalities formed eachother, growing up together, there isn't room for 2 bossy dogs.  I am fascinated by genetics so as much as I dislike people getting 2 male littermates at the same time, it's interesting to see.

This has to be one of the best reasons to go to a good breeder.  I have no evidence that the Volhard test works, but I believe it does.  It makes sense to me.  I used it parts of it for choosing my Malinios puppy.  Like pinching their scruff and seeing which ones are most reactive (one puppy screamed, one did not even notice it, I chose the latter), dropping something and seeing who recovers the fastest and runs up to it.  With puppy I could hardly hold her, she was so active, and I never tried holding her on her back.  I remember being dissapointed that she didn't want to cuddle and I could not hold her, it was like she never stopped moving or biting things.  I don't think being held still on the back is a desired trait in working dog anyway.

Add your own things to the test.  One thing I like to do, which the Volhard test doesn't have, is put a piece of food on the ground and cup my hand over it, to see what the puppy will do- give up, be persistant, claw at my hand, etc.  A pet owner would want the dog that tries at first, but sees it's not working so tries something else like holding still.  Can gage persistance and food drive

Here it is, for those who haven't a copy, http://www.workingdogs.com/testing_volhard.htm

The test is a vauable tool to use....I do believe that the combination of  breeder's observation of the puppies growing and the use of the Volhard test  is a pretty good idea of what the puppy the potential the puppy could have......We all know that nothing in life is 100% but if we can get alittle help from test like this, at least its not a crap shot, and a total loss. We do get a pretty good idea if potential is there or not.....

Only if you are an experienced evaluator. 

If not the test tells you nothing you can find out more by watching the litter. Socializing the litter and so forth.

I told you that in a nut shell earlier.

SP

Volhard Puppy aptitude test...
by Sock Puppet on 07 September 2010 - 05:09

Sock Puppet

Sock Puppet

Posts: 1792
Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:29 pm
Only if you are an experienced evaluator.

If not the test tells you nothing you can find out more by watching the litter. Socializing the litter and so forth.

I told you that in a nut shell earlier.

SP


First of all SICK PUPPET, nothing you say amounts to a pile of sh-t...I didn't respond to you the first time you said it....I had  my reasons...
Since you admit to telling me once already, why are you trolling after me to tell me again if its not to start trouble...How many more times are you going to post the same sh-t?  Leave me alone, stop trolling after me and I will leave you alone, you low life piece of sh-t....Go back to your whelping box and play with your litter mates..