What made you smile today?

[snowbunny]

I tend to disagree and think that temperament is way more important than say, physical attributes.

I'm not sure what you're disagreeing with? Temperament is massively important, I'm not denying that (I would be the last person to, given my selection of dogs ). The only thing I'm saying is that the evidence shows that temperament tests of puppies do not generally predict the temperament of the adult dog.

yes they do. Their “score” gets placed on a scale and the owners get a copy of this - so they know exactly where the puppy was placed on the scale

Which will hugely influence that owner's behaviour towards the puppy going forwards...

 

[Sophiedoodle]

I'm not sure what you're disagreeing with?

I meant that I do think that temperament testing is the most important part of the decision making process as it can and will have an impact on the family, whether it be long or short term!

 

[Candy]

This little dog enjoying the sunshine made me smile today.

 

[snowbunny]

Ah, OK, in that case I'd say that breeding for sound temperament is the most important part - and I'm sure something your lot do. The testing - well, the science says nope, I'm afraid, but I'm sure it must be fun to do anyway.

Anyway, even if it did work, as soon as you start telling the new owners how the puppy scored, you have totally invalidated the test. Seriously, if you do that, there's just no point doing the test at all, sorry, except for interest's sake. Confirmation bias steps in and, woohoo, the environment changes to support what's on that piece of paper.

 

[Boogie]

I think Guide Dogs still do temperament or profile tests at six weeks old. I know they did when I started puppy raising for them. They assigned a colour according to temperament and ‘purple pups’ didn’t make it into the programme.

Here is a link.

We never discover our pups’ ‘colour’ as you say - they didn’t want us having preconceived ideas.

 

[Jen]

I’m glad we got to pick Stanley. We got first pick of the litter.

He was definitely the liveliest and bounciest of the pups (and the cutest if I do say so myself) and no way would he have been matched to us if it had been left up to the breeder. On paper he was the wrooooong dog for us but in reality he’s the perfect dog for us.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Ivers breeder decided which puppy went where. He was also the pup I was most attracted to, from the very first visit. It turned out fine.

 

[Jen]

Ivers breeder decided which puppy went where. He was also the pup I was most attracted to, from the very first visit. It turned out fine.

But who picked Moo.. ?

 

[SwampDonkey]

Satan

 

[Candy]

I've never picked my pup! Barley had been kept back with a sister while the breeder decided which one she was keeping to show and she chose the sister ( she later said she thought she'd kept the wrong one, but I wasn't about to offer to swap!) Solstice was the only female in the litter and I definately wanted a girl. (We often said it was possibly due to having four brothers that she was so boisterous). Little Joy was the only puppy not to already have been picked. She was the smallest survivor of a litter of nine (the smallest one died) I think that would have been enough to make me want her most even if she hadn't been the only one not spoken for.I instantly felt massively protective of her. Sometimes I wonder if that's why she's quite cautious, but really I think it's just because she's a GoodGirl!

 

[Selina27]

I think that would have been enough to make me want her most even if she hadn't been the only one not spoken for.I instantly felt massively protective of her

Awww, that's so lovely @Candy. She's always been a poppet.

Cassie was also the smallest in her litter I'll leave that there
I chose her, at three weeks of age

 

[Emily]

Ivers breeder decided which puppy went where. He was also the pup I was most attracted to, from the very first visit. It turned out fine.

We were exactly the same! OH and I were both instantly drawn to Ella so it was just perfect when the breeder said that was the one she'd picked for us

 

[jazzmynn]

I said “whilst” today instead of “while”....OH was like what the hell!!

 

[edzbird]

2 muddy dogs made me smile today.

 

[Boogie]

Pilates lesson.

My teacher is just so positive I come away cheered up. Plus my OH happily took all three dogs for a good walk while I was there.

 

[kateincornwall]

Reuben, coming home from his day care , waggy tailed , happy faced and with a mucky collar Next week he is going on Tuesday instead of Friday because my sister rocks up on Tuesday for lunch , I know, its our house, our rules but it will just make the day less stressful x

 

[Selina27]

it will just make the day less stressful x

Sometimes it's just the best way.

 

[Granca]

Next week he is going on Tuesday instead of Friday because my sister rocks up on Tuesday for lunch ,

That sounds an excellent plan, Kate. You know Reuben will be happy and you will be able to relax (well, maybe just not worry about Reuben!).

 

[Lab_adore]

We were able to choose our pup. We drove the 2+ hours and they were all in the garage in a big pen. They took out the two boys and one just waddled around whereas the other one stole the breeders sons thong (flip flop) and then went and tipped over his mum's water bowl and lay in the puddle (it was a very hot day). We decided he was for us! We went and picked him up 2 weeks later

We actually should have run for the hills (not really. Well not much)

 

[Jen]

My mam has Rory last night.

I was asleep by 9 and woke up at half 7.

I needed that