Our annual Temperament Test will be held in Truro on Sunday, October 7th, in conjunction with the Cobequid Kennel Club all-breed show. The test is put on by Temperament Test Associates (Canada), hosted by the NSDGSDC. Normally held on Saturday, please note that for this year only, it will be on Sunday.

Temperament Test Information, October 7th,2007

The object of the Temperament Test is to judge the dogs natural responses of each situation. It is O.K. for the dog to be startled or to show aggression. Each dog is judged separately with consideration being given to the Canadian Kennel Clubs temperament for that particular breed. Any dog over 12 months of age can enter, they do not have to be pure bred. Each dog must be taken through the course on lead. The handler is permitted to encourage the dogs but can not use obedience commands.

The NSGSDC recently hosted a Temperament Test which was conducted by Temperament Test Associates Inc. We had a record breaking entry of 33 dogs with 20 passing.

#1) A friendly stranger meets and greats the handler, no attention is paid to the dog. Instructions to the handler are given at this station.
#2) The friendly stranger greets the dog, no attention is paid to the handler by the stranger
#3) The dog and handler enter an area and remain there while several people approach from all directions.
#3a)These people just stand there for a few moments so that the examiners can gauge the response.
#4) The dogs response to loud and unusual noises is assessed. A person rattles a tin pail with several stones. He then sits the pail on the ground. The dog is expected to investigate. A shot is fired from behind a van once the dog leaves. Two quick shots follow, again from a gunman in hiding.
#5) The dog and handler approach a person seated in a chair with an umbrella. When the team get close to the chair the umbrella is opened quickly. Most dogs are startled by this but then come over to sniff and investigate.
#6) is used to test the dog on unusual footing. Fencing is placed on the ground, the handler can use a short lead to encourage the dog to walk across
In #7 a drunken stranger appears from behind a parked car. This fellow wears a rain cape, has a whip and is using a loud voice demanding that someone call him a taxi.
He approaches the dog banging his whip on the ground but stops approx 10 feet from the dog.
He then stands quietly for about 5 seconds so that the dogs recovery can be assessed.