Temperaments in Dogs

Characteristics of Temperaments

 Temperament is primarily a function of the dog’s neurological makeup

 Temperament is 100% genetic; it is inherited, and fixed at the moment

of the dog’s fertilization/conception/birth.

 Temperament in the dog cannot be eliminated nor transformed from

one type to another. It cannot change during the dog’s lifetime. It is

the permanent mental/neurological characteristic of the individual dog.

But there may be an overlap of different temperaments in the same

dog. For example sharpness may be seen with over aggression or

submissiveness with being temperamental.

 Environment, Socialisation or Training can modify and/or manage

an individual dog’s temperament, but it cannot  transform it nor eliminate it.

The dog will die with the temperament with which it was born.

In other words, the sum total of the dog’s neurological and physical matrix that finds

expression as a result of environmental change (people, animal, physical context or

situations), is its temperament.

Temperament is divided into two broad categories: Sound Temperament and Unsound

Temperament.

Sound Temperament

The dog with a Sound Temperament is confident and self assertive. He is sure of

himself and investigates what he is unsure of. He handles his environment with

confidence and without fear. His approach to life and his environment is curious,

assertive and investigative. If startled or frightened, he recovers quickly from his

fright.

 This dog makes an excellent pet and worker, when under control, trained or managed

 by a handler who is a secure pack leader.

 However if uncontrolled his self-assertiveness could lead to significant

management problems. Nonetheless the mental balance of this kind of dog makes

him great to own, and more persons need to learn the skill to manage this

exemplary canine. Having said this, it is clear that an older couple seeking a

companion may be better  with a more submissive animal.

Unsound Temperament

The dog of Unsound Temperament does not display the above calm, confident, self

assertive, non-fearful behaviour. There is a range of behaviours considered to be

unsound, but the following list can be taken as a complete or almost complete list of

the variations: Sharp, Shy, Sharp-Shy, Submissive, Temperamental, Hyperactive, and

Overaggressive.

Sharp Temperament

A dog with a sharp temperament reacts (immediately) to individual environmental

stimuli without thought. The dog does not consider consequences. It may jump

sideways and run far away if startled by a slamming door, very reluctant to return, if

at all. The sharp dog recovers, but slowly. The sharp dog may fearfully bark forever

at the play of shadow across a doorway, or the light pattering of a small branch on the

roof. If the stimulus is innocent and continuous, the sharp dog does not settle down

and accept its innocence. It continues to react without thought. It will not investigate.

This dog may seem at first to be an excellent alarm dog, but extreme sharpness,

coupled often with a lack of confidence, could make it a perpetual nuisance to

neighbours and household members.

Shy Temperament

The shy dog is afraid of unfamiliar people, places and things. He is sensitive to noise

and movement, and does not take initiative. The shyer the dog is, the greater will be

the amount of fear displayed. This genetic/temperamental shyness cannot be cured.

Shyness may also be caused by improper environmental socialisation or people

experiences. This shyness may be reversed to some extent by proper handling and

training, but avoiding such an outcome right from the start is preferred. Shyness

must not be confused with submissiveness.

Sharp-Shy Temperament

The Sharp-Shy dog displays aggression based on fear, he is the classic “fear-biter.”

Being sharp, he responds without thinking, and being shy, he is fearful. This

combination produces a dog that bites at any unfamiliarity without thinking. Fear is a

normal reaction in a normal dog to a perceived threat, but when the threat is over, the

dog should recover quickly. The sharp-shy dog recovers slowly; its fear may even

paralyse it, and it may bite if touched. It may be taught to adjust in a particular

environment or situation, but when that situation changes, it will react again in fear

and the behavioural cycle starts over again.

Submissive Temperament

The submissive dog readily surrenders authority and control to it leader; in other

words, he easily accepts human leadership. He tends to be meek and mild and non threatening.

He has no desire to be in charge, and readily does what is asked. This

kind of dog makes an excellent pet and companion for most first time dog owners and

the average family. The temperamentally submissive dog may be, but is not

necessarily, a “wimp.”

Submissiveness is also a trait that may be produced environmentally, by abuse. This

should not be confused with the genetic submissive temperament.

Temperamental (Neurotic) Temperament

A dog with this temperament suffers from failure of its central nervous system. New

environmental stimuli so overwhelm this dog that it may shake uncontrollably or roll

over. The temperamental dog will empty its bladder and bowels seemingly unaware,

in unfamiliar or stressful situations. This dog is not just afraid - it cannot cope - with

the stress. Its nervous system is so overwhelmed that the dog loses control of its body

and bodily functions.

The neurotically temperamental  dog is not usually aggressive, but it is important to remember that

there is a lot of fear in this dog, and the fearful dog may respond by biting.

This trait is one step down from submissive, and cannot be fixed.

What type of companionship can this dog provide? He may not be suitable for most

homes but may be looked after by someone who feels generally able to offer

and provide perpetual psychological help to this kind of dog.

Hyperactive Temperament

The hyperactive dog is constantly moving, and generally moving fast. He constantly

wants to move by running and jumping. If confined, he will pace incessantly and leap

at walls, walk in circles or wag the tail non-stop. This hyperactivity is not normal but

is the result of a metabolic malfunction (of the brain) that controls the body’s activity.

This dog could be thoroughly destructive if kept in a confined apartment or small

space.

There are cases where it may be difficult to separate temperamental hyperactivity from normal

high energy in some dogs.

Independent Temperament

This dog does not want guidance or affection from other dogs or humans. He

does not encourage companionship; he cares nothing for praise or pleasing his

handler. The independent dog keeps his own company, is self directed and

self reliant; he is not affectionate. Clearly, the independent dog would not make a good companion,

Even though critical periods, affection, socialisation and training may affect and control a temperament of a dog, they will never eliminate it's inherent temperament.