could anyone tell me whether puppy aptitude tests are worth doing to puppies in litters that we are thinking of buying. Does it give a reasonably good indicator of temperament etc.

What breed is it, and what do you want the dog for, work show, pet, etc?
Stevie.

We would like to get a blue roan cocker spaniel pup. We wouldn't be showing it, it would be a family pet. I have two children but they are 12 and 14

Excuse me while I try to stop laughing! I have seen these puppy appitude tests and as an experienced breeder and trainer don't think they are worth the trouble!
About two years ago a fellow breeder decided to have such a test done on her litter, to try to find a puppy suitable for working, she was told that one was going to grow up bad tempered and would not be suitable to have in a family home, so she was then faced with, did she believe this and have the puppy put to sleep? Keep it herself? Or sell it regardless?
The results were studied with care, she decided to sell the puppy who was "damned" it is a happy well adjusted little dog. The one she was informed was suitable for working, is not at all suitable, it does not have the right temperment, and is nervous around guns! This pup would have been fine in a pet home, the other would have been fine in either home.
A good breeder will bred for a good temperament first and foremost, but once the puppy has left the breeder at 8 weeks then it is up to who ever trains the dog and looks after it as to the way it will turn out. There is an old and well used saying, "there are no bad dogs, only bad owners".
Whatever you decide you must realise that your little bundle of fluff is still a dog, and what you let it get away with as a tiny puppy it will try to get away with as an adult, thats why you must draw up rules to be followed from day one that the puppy enters your home. Follow this up with attendance at good training classes and you should have no problems. Most experienced breeders will help you with any problems and would advise you as to which puppy might be best for you and your family.

These type of tests are very popular in Europe, especially with breeders of the working/hunting/gundog breeds. Two tests are carried out on 'working' dogs. One test is just a general assessment and the other is known as a 'hunting intelligence test'.

The breeders (in Europe) that I have spoken to about testing seem to think that, if they are carried out by an experienced assessor, then the results can be very helpful for matching the right dog to the right owner.The results are used alongside the breeders own assessment of their pup and NOT instead of.

Our own bracco had such tests and I have a full written assessment of him. I must say that I was sceptical at first, although I digested the report with interest. I am keeping an open mind, but so far the assessment of Bear has been incredibly accurate in all area's.

I'm not sure that I would go to the trouble of assessing puppies in this manner. But I do think that if you can find someone who really knows what they are doing, then they could probably be helpful to confirm what the breeder already knows !

Leigh

I vaguely remember seeing some sort of tests being carried out of pups bred by the met police. It seemed to work for them!

Our male hound's breeder had the litter tested and the report said that he wasn't going to be dominant or anything. Guess what! He is so dominant that we have to keep him apart from our other males and have to be careful when we take him to ringcraft or shows. Although saying that, when he's in the ring he totally ignores them.

It all comes down to the experience of the assessor doesn't it. :rolleyes: Leigh

Yes, I would agree. I think the tests can be very accurate if done correctly by an experienced assessor. Done by someone who doesn't really know what they are doing they can be wose than useless.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

The assessors I wrote about, are a veterinary surgeon and a veterinary nurse both of whom have been trained in behavourial patterns in dogs. They have done a lot of this type of work over many years, and I could quote other cases where they have been so wrong!
I really do take all this with a pinch of salt, because once the puppy leaves your home, do you really ever know how it is looked after? How it is trained? A local vet has just had a young GSD brought in with a badly broken leg, the owner wants it put down, they say it is too boisterous which is how it came to break it's leg. The vet concerned has said he it not so sure, and there is something he is not being told. Anybody interested in a three legged GSD? We have been given by the owner 3 days to rehome him. Oh and the owner won't pay for the damaged leg!

hi Polly

I am not sure about working dogs but I tend to agree with you about pet dogs, it really depends an awful lot on the new owner, and their knowledge of dogs in general and their chosen breed in particular.

I beleive the only thing you may get is an idea of the most "confident" pup, but then that is not necessarily a dominant one.

I did a few tests with the litter i was choosing my Terv from, and was fairly certian that i was getting the really confident one, who was a little in dependent and great with otehr dogs.

This is exactly what i got, if she was from an independnet breed she probably wouldn't be too keen on me and would prefer the company of dogs to people but as she is a Terv she is great, a mixture of independent, courageous and yet biddable.

So for my 2 pence worth I would say that it is important to take into account the breed and of course as others have said, the new home.

To a certain extent, whenever we go to look at a litter with a view to having one we are "Assessing" The litter as a whole and working our way through the litter until we find the puppy of our choice! I would be happy to rely on my abilities to sort the puppy of my dreams. But, call it big headedness if you like, but I would be reluctant to accept someone else's judgment! Unless it was someone I knew very well and just as important, they knew ME very well! After years in dogs we all build up our own likes and dislikes.

Yes, I did an assessment test on the last llitter, and found it very helpful in sorting out the pups for different owners. However, it was done by someone that I trusted as an experienced person in our own breed. I would never have it done by a vet or a wannabe vet.

The final choice of my own pup rested entirely with my own judgement, so I only have myself to blame in the future!

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Polly,

Why not send a separate message about that poor GSD - not everyone will look under this thread?

Christine