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.

Now the serious breeder, exhibitor, and fancier is able to evaluate each dog's temperament, and to list the TT (if earned) behind the dog's name. The TT is designed for dogs at least 12 months of age. The method of administration is concise and complete using three evaluators and following simple but logical guidelines. The temperament evaluations show a dog's reaction to his environment. No matter what breed, a dog either has good temperament or it does not; however, all breeds of dogs do show 01 different disposition as part of the characteristics of that particular breed. Temperament is a dog's characteristic or habitual inclination or mode of emotional response.

TO REGISTER CONTACT RETA BOYD (902) 883-9127

The Temperament Test is designed for dogs at least 12 months of age. Three evaluators m easure the dog's strength of response at each of the ten sub tests. All officials conducting the evaluation are schooled centrally and registered with the Temperament Test Associates. Procedure and equipment are standardized in uniform fairness to each dog participating.

Just prior to the test beginning, the Chief Tester gives an introduction to the test and then walks with all test participants through all of the course test stations, explaining step by step the stimuli that will be presented and the various reactions a dog may show, how to handle your dog in a positive way, and what the handler must avoid during the test. At that time, any pertinent questions may be asked.

During the test, dogs are on a six foot loose lead. They may not be under any kind of command or attempted influence by the handler. The character and/or disposition of all breeds of dogs varies depending on what theywere meantto be used for (ie herding, sledding, hunting, working, or guarding); however, GOOD TEMPERAMENT IS GOOD TEMPERAMENT, and BAD TEMPERAMENT IS BAD TEMPERAMENTIN ANY DOG OF ANY BREED. In these evaluations, all dogs are judged according to their age, breed, and socialization (ie house dog, kennel dog, working in conformation, tracking, obedience, or schutzhund).

The owner of each dog passing the requirem ents will receive a certificate with the dog's name and breed designation. The dog's name may now be listed with the letters TT after the dog's name. A central registry will record all breeds and individual dogs passing these tests. These records will be available to National and Regional breed clubs

TEST 1,2,3 - BEHAVIOUR TOWARD STRANGERS OBJECTIVE: To determine the dog's reaction to strangers in a nonthreatening situation. PROCEDURE:

1) NEUTRAL STRANGER : A stranger to the dog approaches the handler, shakes hands and ignores the dog for ten seconds.

2) FRIENDLY STRANGER : A stranger to the dog approaches happily and briskly and is exuberantly friendly to the dog. Petting for ten seconds.

3) CROWD : Approximately eight people come from many directions and walk toward the dog aRd handler to create a circle around the team. The diameter of the circle is not to be less than eight feet.

TEST 4, 5 - REACTION TO ACOUSTIC STIMULI OBJECTIVE: To test the dog's reaction to two acoustic stimuli, and to measure the dog's investigative behaviour. This test shows alertness and curiousity. PROCEDURE:

4) HIDDEN CLATTERING: As the dog and handler approach the well-hidden assistant, the assistant begins to rattle a galvanized metal bucket filled with marbles. The dog should investigate, otherwise the handler may encourage the dog. The handler's focus must be on the stimulus, not on the dog.

5) GUN TEST : Dog and handler have their backs turned to the unnoticed and well-hidden assistant. Team and assistant are 15 feet apart. With the extra loud .22 starter pistol, the assistant fires three shots in the air: shot, pause, shot, shot. If the dog turns towards the sound, the handler may follow up to ten feet.

TEST 6 - REACTION TO A VISUAL STIMULUS OBJECTIVE: To test the dog's reaction to a sudden visual stimulus. To measure the dog's investigative behaviour and the startle-recovery time. PROCEDURE:

6) UMBRELLA TEST : The handler-dog team proceeds toward the assistant who sits relaxed and motionless in a lawn chair holding a large, black, spring-loaded self-opening umbrella horizontally in a closed position at a 90* angle to the path of the approaching team. The assistant sits looking straight ahead showing no challenging behaviour as the team approaches to hi$ right side. When the dog is five feet from the umbrella, the catch on the umbrella is suddenly but smoothly released so that the um brella will open at a 90* angle to the path of the dog. Then the umbrella is at once smoothly lowered to the ground, coming to rest on its side and held by the assistant at its handle. The dog should investigate the umbrella within 15 seconds; otherwise, the handler may encourage the dog for 15 seconds to approach the umbrella

TEST 7 - REACTION TO UNUSUAL FOOTING OBJECTIVE : To measure the dog's reaction to unusual footing. PROCEDURE: 7) GRATE FOOTING: The handler-dog team both walk over a 15 foot x 4 length of 9 gauge chain link fencing laid flat on even ground. The fencir weighted and both ends are secured along the edges.

TEST 8, 9,10. SELF PROTECTIVENESS/AGGRESSIVE REACTION ,OBJECTIVE: To test the dog's capacity to focus (a) on an unusual stimulus to recognize a threat, and (c) to react in the face of a threat. PROCEDURE: The dog mustwear a sturdy choke collar and a strong lead, unfriendly stranger is dressed in odd clothing. 8) RECOGNIZES STIMULUS : As the team comes to within 30 feet of the \ hidden assistant, the unfriendly stranger emerges from his hiding place ma unusual sounds and motions, The unfriendly stranger crosses the path 01 team, 9) RECOGNIZES THREAT : The unfriendly stranger turns toward the tl 'raising his riding crop, continues the unusual noises and motions and advar to a distance of 20 feet.

10) DOG IS THREATENED : The unfriendlystrangerthan pounds his riding I six times on the ground as he advances to within ten feet of the team. He v, five seconds and then turns and flees,

It takes about ten minutes for the team to move through the ten test statiom the conclusion of the test, each handler will receive a verbal critique on the d test performance, A test is failed if the dog at any time shows extreme a\ ance, hides behind the handler or panics, shows aggressiveness when provoked, or exhibits obvious avoidance on the footing test. At any of the tE the dog may startle, but it is the recovery time that we are interested in, If the dog passes all of the sub tests, it will receive a certificate, on the day 0 test, with a Temperament Test number.

Cost: $30/dog Pre Entry; $35/dog Post Entry Location: Exhibition Grounds; Truro, NS

Cost: $30/dog Pre Entry; $35/dog Post Entry Location: Exhibition Grounds; Truro, NS

TO REGISTER CONTACT:

RETA BOYD
30 BOYD'S DRIVE
ENFIELD, N.S. B2T 1H2
(902) 883-9127

info@nsgsdc.com

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.