PUPPY ASSESSMENT

THE BULK OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY
SHANNON MCKAY (ACCREDITED CANINE BEHAVIOUR CONSULTANT – ABC OF SA (C) 1998)
WHO CONDUCTS OUR TEMPERAMENT ASSESSMENT FOR US.
SEE LINKS PAGE FOR CONTACT DETAILS

Are you undecided about what type of dog would mesh with your lifestyle? High energy or couch potato? What do you like to do for fun? How much space and time do you have for a dog? Do you have children or other pets?

Put some serious thought into what personality you would most enjoy living with. By 7 weeks, puppies have begun to develop a world-view. Each puppy has a unique personality and behaves accordingly. Energetic, bright, and bossy types are highest in the hierarchy. More laid-back puppies are in the middle ground, and more timid types rank lowest.

Which puppy is right for you? A good rule is that you will need persistence to convince a high-ranking puppy of your authority, patience to train the relaxed middle levels, and time to build up a shy puppy’s self-esteem.

Take with you the puppy assessment form – selecting the puppy that is right for you. By now, you should know which type of puppy you’d like to bring home with you.

Active puppies are a lot of work, but they’re also lots of fun. Spirited and intelligent, they are well-appreciated by those who have the time and determination needed to train them.

Neutral puppies are relaxed and undemanding – sort of the “regular guys” of the world.

Passive and shy puppies appreciate love and support but are fearful of change. They do best in a consistent environment.

Now you are ready to select your pup. How will you recognize your future family member by their personality? Here are a few signs.

TYPE A+: “THE TOP DOG” (Working Home)
The top dog will be playing and wrestling, mock fighting with squeaky toys and she will charge forward to meet you with her tail wagging furiously. She mouths excessively, jumps, and may climb on top of you to show off her confidence. This is an extremely self-assured and potentially aggressive dog which can easily be provoked to bite. Her overriding nature will attempt to resist human leadership.
HINT: she will need a companion with the time and perseverance to train her; without this serious commitment, the puppy will become a tyrant and make a difficult family pet. Only the most experienced of handlers-no children and no other animals. Not suitable as a pet.

TYPE A-: “THE TOP DOG” (Working Home)
Similar to an A+ except that she/he would be less inclined to take charge in every situation.
HINT: Only an experienced handler. May be suitable with opposite gender dogs in an adult home.

TYPE B+: “THE TOP DOG” (Working Home/Possible Pet Home)
This pup is self assured and he/she can be provoked to bite; however he readily accepts human leadership that is firm, consistent and knowledgeable.
HINT: This is not a dog for a tentative, indecisive individual. This puppy would be suitable for an adult household with older children and opposite gender dogs.

TYPE B-: “THE MIDDLEMAN” (Working Home/Pet Home)
The middleman loves to explore, she defends herself in a wrestling match, but competition is not her cup of tea. She will sit calmly, perhaps getting up to follow you around the room. Her energy level is moderate and she is a great dog for laid back families, having a high tolerance for noise and confusion. Her need for training will not result in a battle for control. A tamer version of a B+, however still requiring a firm hand
HINT: A family household with older children and opposite gender dogs would be suitable. May be too much dog for a family with small children or an elderly couple who are sedentary.

TYPE C+: “THE MIDDLEMAN” (Working Home/Pet Home)
This pup is outgoing and friendly and will adjust well in situations in which he/she receives regular training and exercise. He/she has a flexible temperament that adapts well to different types of environment, provided he/she is handled correctly.
HINT: A multy-dog family household with children would be suitable. May be too much dog for a family with small children or an elderly couple who are sedentary.

TYPE C-: “THE MIDDLEMAN” (Possible Working Home/Pet Home)
Similar to a C+ except that a puppy in this category will be more reliant on his owners due to his higher need for guidance.
HINT: A multy-dog family household with younger children would be suitable.

TYPE D+: “THE PASSIVE OR SHY PUP” (Possible Working Home/Pet Home)
The passive or shy pup will submit passively to other puppies, and enjoy quiet interaction and play, or may show fear when approached by more dominant littermates. These puppies may be content to watch, or sit in a corner. This is an easily controlled, adaptable puppy whose submissive nature will make him look to his master for leadership. This pup is easy to train and reliable with children.
HINT: Their companions should use the gentlest handling techniques and be prepared to do everything possible to enhance the puppy’s self image, using lots of positive reinforcement. An extremely shy puppy may not be good with children, because loud noises and chaos send him/her into a state of shock. Virtually any home.

TYPE D-: “THE PASSIVE OR SHY PUP” (Pet Home)
He bonds very closely with his owner and requires regular companionship and encouragement to bring him out of himself. Though he lacks self-confidence, he makes a high-quality family pet.
HINT: Virtually any home

TYPE E: “THE PASSIVE OR SHY PUP” (Pet Home)
This is a pup that is extremely submissive and lacking in self-confidence. If handled incorrectly, this pup will grow up very shy and fearful. HINT: He will do best in a predictable, structured lifestyle with owners who are patient and not overly demanding, such as an elderly couple.

EAGERTRIEVE LABRADORS

We have assessed over 30 puppies to date. All have been lovely litters with a normal range of temperaments between (B- and D+). The general temperament tends toward that of active, confident and outgoing puppies, which are very friendly and sociable to people.

None of the puppies displayed people aggression tendencies, which is important in any breed and critical in any large breed. They also all showed appropriate behavior in the presence of an unknown senior dog.

The activity level of the puppies is high to medium/high and this should be borne in mind by the puppy buyers in terms of keeping their pups appropriately stimulated. The puppies are well socialized and very comfortable with novel stimulus.