RAPID IDENTIFICATION OF THE TEMPERAMENT TYPE IN DACHSHUND, PEKINESE AND JAPANESE CHIN COMPANION DOG BREEDS

T. Penev, C. Miteva, Y. Mitev, K. Uzunova, T. Slavov, V. Radev, R. Binev

Abstract: The aim of this study was to rapidly identify the temperament type which greatly influences the extent of the dog socialization in young puppies using the statuette test. For that, a total of 27, 7 week old puppies from 3 breeds used worldwide as companions (Dachshund, Pekinese and Japanese Chin breeds, 9 puppies from each breed) were tested 2 times after placing an odourless dog statuette in an empty and unfamiliar room, for specific behavioural activities (purposefulness / orientation, confidence, curiosity, indifference, fear and aggressive traits), leading to the establishment of the temperament type. The L (sanguine) type characterizing a strong and balanced temperament (highly correct orientation, high curiosity, no indifference, no fear, and high confidence and no aggressiveness) was encountered in 6 Dachshund, 5 Pekinese and only in 3 Japanese puppies. Two puppies from each breed exhibited the second strong temperament, the F (choleric) type, differing from the first by a weakly lower orientation and by some aggressive traits. The weak and balanced temperament (low orientation, weak confidence and curiosity but fear signs and no aggressiveness), the G (phlegmatic type) was found in only one Dachshund dog but in 4 Pekinese and Japanese Chin dogs whereas the last weak and unbalanced temperament, the A (melancholic or antisocial) type was evidenced only in 2 Japanese dogs. These results show that the strong temperament types (L and F at a lesser extend) leading to a stable and rapid socialisation can be rapidly and easily determined by the statuette test and were more frequently evidenced in the Dachshund than in Pekinese or Japanese Chin dogs.

Keywords: behavior; breed; companion; dog puppy; socialization; statuette test; temperament

Date published: 2019-01-28