Temperment Tests 2004-2007

Temperament Test Results for CISC Litters 2004-2007

All Greenstone Litters have had Formal Temperment Tests Done by Kim Cooper at Best Friends School of Dog Training in Orleans, Ontario.

All Greenstone Litters information has been included in the CISC Litter Information. As more litters are born and the information continues to be updated, and is published by the CISC, I will continue to update this information here as well. In total nine litters and 36 Greenstone Puppies Results are included in this report.

The CISC and its breeders have been active in trying to learn more about our dogs natural temperaments. A good understanding of your breeds temperament is not only vital for keeping the breed correct but also is a great help in correctly placing your puppies into the right forever home.

So far, 16 litters with a total of 67 puppies have completed the test. Last Update Dec 2007

Test One

Social Attraction (Degree of Social Attraction, Confidence or Dependence)
1 Came Readily, Tail up, Jumped, Bit at hands -0 Puppies
2 Came Readily, Tail up, Pawed, Licked at Hands -11 Puppies
3 Came Readily, Tail up -45 Puppies
4 Came Readily, Tail Down- 5 Puppies
5 Came Hesitantly, Tail Down- 2 Puppies
6 Didn’t Come at all -2 Puppies

Test Two

Following ( Degree of Following Attraction. Not Following indicates independence)

1 Followed readily tail up, got underfoot, bit at feet 0 Puppies
2 Followed readily, tail up, got underfoot 12 Puppies
3 Followed readily, tail up 45 Puppies
4 Followed readily, tail down 5 Puppies
5 Followed hesitantly, tail down 3 Puppies
6 No follow or went away 2 Puppies

Test Three

Restraint ( Degree of Dominant or Submissive tendency, How it accepts stress with socially/physically dominated)

1 Struggled fiercely, flailed, bit 0 Puppies
2 Struggled fiercely, flailed 14 Puppies
3 Settled, Struggled, settled with some eye contact 27 Puppies
4 Struggled then settled 22Puppies
5 No Struggle 4 Puppies
6 No Struggle, straining to avoid eye contact 0 Puppies

Test 4

Social Dominance ( Degree of acceptance of Social Dominance. Pup may try to dominate by jumping and nipping or is independent and walks away)

1 Jumped, pawed, bit, growled 0 Puppies
2 Jumped, pawed 13 Puppies
3 Cuddles up to tester and tries to lick face 32 Puppies
4 Squirmed, licked at hands 15 Puppies
5 Rolled over, licked at hands 6 Puppies
6 Went away and stayed away 1 Puppy

Test 5

Elevation Dominance ( Degree of accepting dominance while in a position of no control)

1 Struggled Fiercely, bit, growled 0 Puppies
2 Struggled Fiercely 1 Puppies
3 No Struggle, relaxed 26 Puppies
4 Struggled, settled, licked 40 Puppies
5 No struggle, licked at hands 0 Puppies
6 No Struggle, Froze 0 Puppies

Test 6

Retrieving ( Degree of willingness to work with human. High correlation between ability to retrieve and successful guide dogs, obedience dogs, field trail dogs)

1 Chases object, picks up object and runs away 10 Puppies
2 Chases object, stands over object, does not return 22 Puppies
3 Chases object and returns with object to tester 22 Puppies
4 Chases object and returns without object to tester 6 Puppies
5 Starts to chase object, loses interest 7 Puppies

Test 7

Touch Sensitivity ( Degree of sensitivity to touch)

6-10 counts before response 42 Puppies
6-7 counts before response 10 Puppies
5-6 counts before response 11 Puppies
2-4 counts before response 3 Puppies
1-2 counts before response 1 Puppy

Test Seven

Sound Sensitivity ( Degree of sensitivity to sound)

1 Listens, locates sound, walks towards it barking 11 Puppies
2 Listens, locates sound, Barks 2 Puppies
3 Listens, locates sound, shows curiosity and walk toward sound 38 Puppies
4 Listens, Locates the sound 13 Puppies
5 Cringes, backs off, hides 0 Puppies
6 Ignores sound, shows no curiosity 2 Puppies

Test Eight

Sight Sensitivity ( Degree of intelligent response to strange object)

1 Looks, attacks and bites 9 Puppies
2 Looks, barks and tail up 2 Puppies
3 Looks curiously, attempts to investigate 46 Puppies
4 Looks, barks, tail tuck 10 Puppies
5 Runs away, hides 0 Puppies


Interpreting the Scores

Mostly 1's A puppy that consistently scores a 1 in the temperament section of the test is an extremely dominant, aggressive puppy who can easily be provoked to bite. His dominant nature will attempt to resist human leadership, thus requiring only the most experienced of handlers. This puppy is a poor choice for most individuals and will do best in a working situation as a guard or police dog.

Mostly 2's This pup is dominant and self-assured. He can be provoked to bite; however he readily accepts human leadership that is firm, consistent and knowledgeable. This is not a dog for a tentative, indecisive individual. In the right hands, he has the potential to become a fine working or show dog and could fit into an adult household, provided the owners know what they aredoing.

Mostly 3's This pup is outgoing and friendly and will adjust well in situations in which he receives regular training and exercise. He has a flexible temperament that adapts well to different types of environment, provided he is handled correctly. May be too much dog for a family with small children or an elderly couple who are sedentary.

Mostly 4's A pup that scores a majority of 4's is an easily controlled, adaptable puppy whose submissive nature will make him continually look to his master for leadership. This pup is easy to train, reliable with kids, and, though he lacks self-confidence, makes a high-quality family pet. He is usually less outgoing than a pup scoring in the 3's, but his demeanor is gentle and affectionate.

Mostly 5's This is a pup who is extremely submissive and lacking in self- confidence. He bonds very closely with his owner and requires regular companionship and encouragement to bring him out of himself. If handled incorrectly, this pup will grow up very shy and fearful. For this reason, he will do best in a predictable, structured lifestyle with owners who are patient and not overly demanding, such as an elderly couple.

Mostly 6's A puppy that scores 6 consistently is independent and uninterested in people. He will mature into a dog who is not demonstrably affectionate and who has a low need for human companionship. In general, it is rare to see properly socialized pups test this way; however there are several breeds that have been bred for specific tasks (such as basenjis, hounds, and some northern breeds) which can exhibit this level of independence. To perform as intended, these dogs require a singularity of purpose that is not compromised by strong attachments to their owner.


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The remainder of the puppy test is an evaluation of obedience aptitude and working ability and provides a general picture of a pup's intelligence, spirit, and willingness to work with a human being. For most owners, a good companion dog will score in the 3 to 4 range in this section of the test.

Puppies scoring a combination of 1's and 2's require experienced handlers who will be able to draw the best aspects of their potential from them.

Important note from Wendy Volhard...regarding the Touch Sensitivity test - Do not use your fingernail when performing this test. Press between the finger and thumb lightly then more firmly until you get a response.

Developed by Joachim and Wendy Volhard. Copyright 1996 Wendy Volhard.