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Our Temperament Testing Process

 

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Each puppy is evaluated and scored as Low, Medium, or High in the following temperament traits. 

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Assertiveness

  • Low: Reserved, gentle, socially cautious

  • Medium: Balanced confidence

  • High: Bold, socially forward

Confidence

  • Low: Cautious in new environments

  • Medium: Adjusts after brief observation

  • High: Quickly adapts and explores

Motivation Level

  • Low: Relaxed, low reward-drive

  • Medium: Engages well with rewards

  • High: Highly driven and eager

Nerve Strength / Resiliency

  • Low: Needs time to recover from stress

  • Medium: Brief reaction, quick recovery

  • High: Immediate recovery

Touch Tolerance

  • Low: Prefers minimal handling

  • Medium: Accepts handling calmly

  • High: Enjoys and seeks handling

Energy Level

  • Low: Calm, low activity needs

  • Medium: Balanced play and rest

  • High: Very active, high stamina

Sound Sensitivity

  • Low: Minimal reaction to noise

  • Medium: Notices but recovers quickly

  • High: Strong reaction to sounds

Sight Sensitivity

  • Low: Rarely startled by visuals

  • Medium: Observes before reacting

  • High: Highly alert to movement

Prey Drive

  • Low: Little interest in chasing

  • Medium: Playful, easily redirected

  • High: Strong chase instinct

Human Focus

  • Low: Independent

  • Medium: Enjoys interaction

  • High: Highly people-oriented

Important Note

Temperament testing provides insight into a puppy’s natural tendencies at the time of evaluation. Environment, training, socialization, and lifestyle all play a significant role in how these traits develop over time.

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Temperament Traits Explained

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Stable Traits

These traits are largely genetic and remain fairly consistent throughout a dog’s life.

  • Assertiveness (Human & Dog): How naturally confident a puppy is when interacting with people and other dogs, influencing leadership tendencies and social boundaries.

  • Motivation: What drives the puppy (food, toys, praise, or play) and how easily the puppy engages in training.

  • Energy Level: The puppy’s natural activity level and need for physical outlets, ranging from calm and low-key to highly active.

  • Prey Drive (Intensity): The instinct to chase moving objects such as birds, squirrels, or toys, varying in strength and persistence.

  • Human Focus: The puppy’s natural desire to engage with and stay connected to people, influencing bonding, recall, and trainability.

 

Adjustable Traits

These traits are influenced by environment, socialization, training, and handling.

  • Confidence: The puppy’s comfort level in new situations, environments, and experiences, which can be strengthened through positive exposure.

  • Nerve Strength / Resiliency: The ability to recover from stress or startling events, which improves with proper guidance and stability.

  • Touch Tolerance: Comfort with handling, grooming, and physical contact, strongly influenced by early positive interactions.

  • Sound Sensitivity: The puppy’s reaction to noises such as vacuums, fireworks, or traffic, which can be improved through gradual desensitization.

  • Sight Sensitivity: The response to visual stimuli such as fast movement or unfamiliar objects, often improving with structured exposure.

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