Puppy Temperament Assessments Predict Breed and American Kennel Club Group but Not Adult Temperament |
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| Authors: | Lauren M Robinson Rebekah Skiver Thompson James C Ha |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom;2. Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom;3. Department of Psychology, University of Washington |
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| Abstract: | 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. |
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| Keywords: | Companion nonhuman animal dog temperament American Kennel Club puppy |
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