Understanding Temperament Test Results

I just want to make sure everyone understands...

Although evaluating a puppy can be a helpful tool in determining the future personality of a puppy, temperament testing is not a fool-proof method! Individual results may vary and the testing itself may be skewed by factors such as the puppy being tired, hungry, HOT, not feeling well, etc. I know a lot of breeders who no longer use temperament tests.... feeling that the results change so quickly.

For example... in my first litter of English goldens I had a male - Mr. White - that seemed very shy and fearful. I did not want to place him in a home with small children because of those behaviors. He ended up going to a slightly older couple with older, married children... all away from home. For some reason I don't remember, they couldn't pick him up until 9 weeks. Guess what happened as soon as all the other puppies left for their new homes? He totally came into his own!! He didn't seem shy and nervous or scared at all by the time they picked him up. I still see him from time to time as an adult.... he is sweet and playful and I have NEVER seen him be nervous!

All puppies are pretty energetic. I expect all my goldens to be "hard" at some level for the first 2 YEARS! Maverick is very mellow.... BUT... he goes berserk over food and he eats EVERYTHING. We have been lucky so far.... his menu has included such items as socks, stretchy headbands, underwear, soft squeaky toys, etc. So... he is mellow and therefore easy in that regard... but the eating thing is so hard!!

My point being.... there is no such thing as the perfect puppy!! They all do crazy things... especially the first 2 years!

Please take the temperament test results with the grain of salt.... use it as a tool... not the only tool! Take in consideration my comments the week before too.

I honestly do not think any of these puppies will be hyper. Neither parent is... Jewel is quite mellow and Honor is middle of the road. "Outgoing" does not mean hyper.... at all! What I mean by "outgoing" is.... 1st to do everything... when I come into the room my most outgoing puppies jump right up and run to me... tail up and wagging... no hesitation. When I open a door or gate... they are the 1st ones through! Lime, purple and red's tails are ALWAYS up and always wagging!! They are very happy puppies! They are the bravest in new situations. This is not a bad or good thing... just them! Other puppies are more cautious... Orange, yellow, silver, pink... again not a bad thing... they just don't jump right into new things blindly... they are careful... that doesn't mean they are scaredy cats!

Miss White reminds me of Mr. White in my first litter... I bet she will blossom as soon as shes not surrounded by a circus!

Even as a human being I would put myself in that middle category. I like new things and situations... but I proceed slowly.... not throw caution to the wind!! I have a 3 year old like the first group ... and she is fearless! It makes some things in life easier... she is not scared of being left with sitters or of being in strange places... She's happy no matter where she is! But it is hard in other areas... she tries crazy things... like jumping off tables and climbing everything!

Does my rambling make any sense?

Anyway... I just want everyone to have their perfect puppy! They are all so great I am not worried!! This has been a great litter!! Last night no one had an accident in the box!! They held it for 7 hours!! YAY!!