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Articles

Puppy Temperament Assessments Predict Breed and American Kennel Club Group but Not Adult Temperament

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Pages 101-114
Published online: 16 Feb 2016

Puppy assessments for companion dogs have shown mixed long-term reliability. Temperament is cited among the reasons for surrendering dogs to shelters. A puppy temperament test that reliably predicts adult behavior is one potential way to lower the number of dogs given to shelters. This study used a longitudinal design to assess temperament in puppies from 8 different breeds at 7 weeks old (n = 52) and 6 years old (n = 34) using modified temperament tests, physiological measures, and a follow-up questionnaire. For 7-week-old puppies, results revealed (a) puppy breed was predictable using 3 variables, (b) 4 American Kennel Club breed groups had some validity based on temperament, (c) temperament was variable within litters of puppies, and (d) certain measures of temperament were related to physiological measures (heart rate). Finally, puppy temperament assessments were reliable in predicting the scores of 2 of the 8 adult dog temperament measures. However, overall, the puppy temperament scores were unreliable in predicting adult temperament.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the University of Washington for supporting this project. We are also grateful to the editors and reviewers for their detailed feedback. We would also like to acknowledge the breeders, dog caregivers, and students who helped make this project happen. Lastly, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the lovely puppies who partook in our study.

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