Both when choosing a puppy and in further working with him, it is necessary to take into account his character and temperament. Usually in the same breed, puppies with a certain temperament predominate, but there are exceptions. What temperaments do dogs have and how to define them?
Types of dog temperaments
Even within the same breed, there are dogs with different temperaments. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to this moment when choosing a puppy.
Sanguine dogs are the most calm and balanced. They are agile, energetic, friendly and outgoing. They are even often referred to as ideal dogs.
Phlegmatic dogs, like sanguine dogs, have a balanced character, but they are less mobile and active. They are friendly, have a high equanimity. They are calm about loud sounds, rarely bark, quite independent and self-confident.
Melancholic dogs have a weak nervous system. It is easy to piss them off. They are timid, indecisive and inactive. They often whine, feel insecure when meeting other dogs, often passive-defensive reactions (grin, lunges, tail set). Moreover, they are always strongly attached to their master. But living with such a dog requires a ton of patience.
Choleric dogs are often characterized as strong and unbalanced. They are excitable, harsh, impetuous, restless and very emotional. They lack a sense of proportion. They can play and start a fight with a relative. These dogs need to be given a lot of stress, both physical and mental.
In nature, individuals are rarely found with only one temperament in its pure form. Usually there are mixed types of temperament with a predominance of traits of one type.
Testing puppies
The Campbell test is excellent for determining the character of a puppy - for ages from 6 to 8 weeks. The description of the test and the methodology can be easily found on the Internet. If there is no desire to bother so much, then you can conduct three simple tests:
1. Clap your hands. If the puppy did not pay attention to such a noise or just looked with interest, then, most likely, it is a phlegmatic or sanguine person. If he ran away and hid, then perhaps this is a melancholic. Choleric will boldly and persistently go to check what kind of sound it was.
2. Turn over onto your back. If the puppy squealed, then it is a melancholic, if it began to actively resist and bite, then it is a choleric. The phlegmatic will first lie calmly on his back, and then slowly turn over.
3. Attract the puppy with a toy. If he runs ahead in order to study her, then this is a choleric person. If he is not interested in a toy, but at the same time is calm, then this is a phlegmatic person. And if he got scared and hid, then he is melancholic.
It is recommended to choose a puppy with a temperament similar to the owner. For example, it will be difficult for a phlegmatic owner to cope with an active and energetic choleric person. And an active and athletic person will have to constantly stir up a slow and calm phlegmatic dog.
