The document provides information from a veterinarian on selecting the right breed of dog. It discusses various breed traits like reactivity, trainability, aggression, coat type, size and more. It also includes a puppy aptitude test to evaluate temperament. The veterinarian recommends certain breeds based on experience but notes no breed is perfect and temperament depends on socialization and training. Prospective owners are advised to consider their lifestyle and what traits they want or can handle in a dog.

2. Dog Breed Selection If Peter Piper, instead of picking pickled peppers, had to pick a puppy for Peppermint Patty, what breed of puppy would Peter Piper pick? Would he pick the same puppy for his parents?

38. Puppy Aptitude Test Social Attraction 6 Didn't come at all. 5 Came hesitantly, tail down. 4 Came readily, tail down 3 Came readily, tail up. 2 Came readily, tail up, pawed, licked at hands. Place puppy in test area. From a few feet away the tester coaxes the pup to her/him by clapping hands gently and kneeling down. Tester must coax in a direction away from the point where it entered the testing area. 1 Came readily, tail up, jumped, bit at hands. Degree of social attraction, confidence or dependence.

39. Puppy Aptitude Test Following 6 No follow or went away. 5 Followed hesitantly, tail down. 4 Followed readily, tail down. 3 Followed readily, tail up. 2 Followed readily, tail up, got underfoot. Stand up and walk away from the pup in a normal manner. Make sure the pup sees you walk away. 1 Followed readily, tail up, got underfoot, bit at feet. Degree of following attraction. Not following indicates independence.

40. Puppy Aptitude Test Restraint 6 No struggle, straining to avoid eye contact. 5 No struggle. 4 Struggled then settled. 3 Settled, struggled, settled with some eye contact. 2 Struggled fiercely, flailed. 1 Struggled fiercely, flailed, bit. Degree of dominant or submissive tendency. How it accepts stress when socially/ physically dominated Crouch down and gently roll the pup on his back and hold it with one hand for a full 30 seconds.

41. Puppy Aptitude Test Social Dominance 6 -Went away and stayed away. 5 -Rolled over, licked at hands. 4 -Squirmed, licked at hands. 3 -Cuddles up to testor and tries to lick face. 2 -Jumped, pawed. 1 -Jumped, pawed, bit, growled. Degree of acceptance of social dominance. Pup may try to dominate by jumping and nipping or is independent and walks away . Let pup standup and gently stroke him from the head to back while you crouch beside him. Continue stroking until a recognizable behavior is established

42. Puppy Aptitude Test Elevation Dominance 6 -No struggle, froze. 5 -No struggle, licked at hands. 4 -Struggled, settled, licked 3 -No struggle, relaxed 2 -Struggled fiercely. 1 Struggled fiercely, bit, growled. Degree of accepting dominance while in position of no control. Bend over and cradle the pup under its belly, fingers interlaced, palms up and elevate it just off the ground. Hold it there for 30 seconds.

43. Obedience Aptitude Test Retrieving 6 -Does not chase object. 5 -Starts to chase object, loses interest. 4 -Chases object and returns without object to testor. 3 -Chases object and returns with object to testor. 2 -Chases object, stands over object, does not return. 1 -Chases object, picks up object and runs away. Degree of willingness to work with a human. High correlation between ability to retrieve and successful guide dogs, obedience dogs, field trial dogs. Crouch beside pup and attract his attention with crumpled up paper ball. When the pup shows interest and is watching, toss the object 4-6 feet in front of pup.

44. Obedience Aptitude Test Touch Sensitivity 5 1-2 counts before response. 4 2-4 counts before response. 3 5-6 counts before response. 2 6-7 counts before response. 1 8-10 counts before response. Degree of sensitivity to touch. Take puppy's webbing of one front foot and press between *finger and thumb lightly then more firmly till you get a response, while you count slowly to 10. Stop as soon as puppy pulls away, or shows discomfort. *Do NOT use fingernail.

45. Obedience Aptitude Test Sound Sensitivity 6 -Ignores sound, shows no curiosity. 5 -Cringes, backs off, hides. 4 -Listens, locates the sound. 3 -Listens, locates sound, shows curiosity and walks toward sound. 2 -Listens, locates sound, barks. 1 -Listens, locates sound, walks toward it barking. Degree of sensitivity to sound. (Also can be a rudimentary test for deafness.) Place pup in the center of area, testor or assistant makes a sharp noise a few feet from the puppy. A large metal spoon struck sharply on a metal pan twice works well.

46. Obedience Aptitude Test Sight Sensitivity 5 -Runs away, hides. 4 -Looks, barks, tail-tuck. 3 -Looks curiously, attempts to investigate. 2 -Looks, barks and tail up. 1 -Looks, attacks and bites. Degree of intelligent response to strange object. Place pup in center of room. Tie a string around a large towel and jerk it across the floor a few feet away from puppy.

59. Adult Dog Test – Kennel Aproach Dog Fancy February 2004 Pgs26-31 Red Dog stares, growls, and lunges, possibly barking the whole time. Yellow Dog stares at you for a few seconds then stops. Green Dog holds his body lengthwise along the kennel but glances away, wagging and wiggling. Ears are back, eyes are soft and squinty. Walk up to kennel. Do not speak, but look at dog for 5 seconds in neutral manner, neither smiling nor stare in threatening way. Then kneel or sit, talking pleasantly in friendly tone of voice.

60. Adult Dog Test – Hand Dog Fancy February 2004 Pgs26-31 Red Dog ignores your hand, barks or growls,,or sniff not nuzzle or lick. Yellow Dog looses interest before 2 seconds. Green Dog approaches your hand and noses, nuzzles or licks. Or turn sideways for you to pet more. Contact lasts longer than 2 seconds. Place hand against kennel, fingers outside cage.

61. Adult Dog Test – Stand The following tests done in quite room with no other dogs present Dog Fancy February 2004 Pgs26-31 Red Dog ignores you the whole time, and offers no initiating behavior. Jumping NOT gentle. Yellow Dog initiates interactions but stops after only a second or two. Dog gets mouthy. Green Dog initiates contact, licking and nudging hand, continuing for tow or more seconds. Jumping should be gentle. Attempts to engage you at least three times. Stand and hold dog on loose leash. Remain completely neutral – stand still and do not talk to dog. Observe dog for 60 seconds.

62. Adult Dog Test – Strokes Dog Fancy February 2004 Pgs26-31 Red Dog comes closer only one time or not at all. May turn and stare at your hand, or become excited but move away. Yellow Dog starts to come but doesn’t, or remains where it was. Green Dog moves closer or licks and nudges your hand. With dog on leash, stroke him, starting at neck, and going to base of the tail. Do 3 times, standing for brief pause between strokes.

63. Adult Dog Test – Chair Dog Fancy February 2004 Pgs26-31 Red Dog ignores you and does not approach. Yellow Dog jumps up, and makes you move back, gets in your space, or waits longer than 5 seconds to approach. Green Dog sits between your legs, nuzzles you or rests his head on your lap. Sit in chair, and don’t say anything.

64. Adult Dog Test – 20 second of attention Dog Fancy February 2004 Pgs26-31 Red Dog ignores you and does not approach. Yellow Dog approaches you but gets excited, gets mouthy, takes a while to come over or leaves before the 20 seconds ends. Green Dog licks you, snuggles, or crawls in your lap. For 20 seconds, remain sitting, keeping dog on loose leash but not restraining him. Pet, stroke, and talk pleasantly to the dog for 20 seconds.

65. Adult Dog Test – Listening Dog Fancy February 2004 Pgs26-31 Red Dog continues what he is doing or stops but does not look at you. Dog growls. Yellow Dog stops, looks at you, then continues to explore. Green Dog stops what he’s doing and comes close, licking your hand or lowering his body. To get sense of how dog will listen to you . Start on loose leash, When he is busy investigating something, clap sharply and say loudly (not scolding) “Hey”.

66. Adult Dog Test – Test Drive Dog Fancy February 2004 Pgs26-31 Red Dog lunges at humans and other dogs. Yellow Dog lunges at other dogs but can be redirected by voice or food treat. Green Dog is interested in the environment but often looks back to you. Pro active friendly with children. Taking the dog for a walk. Testing around children is good at this stage.