Note: This is not a pass or fail test. It is designed to match puppies with families without prejudice. It also reaffirms what we have learned about each individual puppy from birth.

Each puppy is microchipped and then tested a few days later. We then match according to gender requested, test results, and the Family Bio.

Pups are identified by microchip only and the results are recorded to the chip number. Completely separate from the pups the Bio's are reviewed and matched to the results of the tests. The chip number/puppy is then matched to the family that best suits the results.

It is a completely unbiased process.

Social Attraction:

This test will help determine the degree of social attraction, confidence or dependence. Test: Place the 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. Score: 1. Came readily, tail up, jumped, bit at hands 2. Came readily, tail up, pawed, liked at hands. 3. Came readily, tail up. 4. Came readily, tail down. 5. Came hesitantly, tail down. 6. Did not come at all.

Following:

This test will help determine the degree of following attraction. Not following indicates independence. Test: Stand up and walk away from the pup in a normal manner. Make sure the pup sees you walk away. Score: 1. Followed readily, tail up, got underfoot, bit at feet. 2. Followed readily, tail up, got underfoot. 3. Followed readily, tail up. 4. Followed readily, tail down. 5. Followed hesitantly, tail down. 6. No following, or went away.

Restraint:

This test will help determine the degree of dominant or submissive tendency, how the puppy accepts stress when socially and/or physically dominated. Test: Crouch down and gently roll the pup on his back and hold it with one hand for a full 30 seconds. Score: 1. Struggled fiercely, flailed, bit. 2. Struggled fiercely, flailed. 3. Settled, struggled, settled with some eye contact. 4. Struggled, then settled. 5. No struggle. 6. No struggle, straining to avoid eye contact.

Social Dominance:

This test will help determine the degree of acceptance of social dominance pup may try to dominate by jumping and nipping or it is independent and walks away. Test: Let pup stand up and gently stroke him from the head to back while you crouch beside him. Continue stroking until a recognizable behavior is established. Score: 1. Jumped, pawed, bit growled. 2. Jumped, pawed. 3. Cuddles up to tester and tries to lick face. 4. Squirmed, licked at hands. 5. Rolled over, licked at hands. 6. Went away and stayed away.

Elevation Dominance:

This test will help determine the degree of accepting dominance while in position of no control. Test: Bend over and cradle the pup under its belly, fingers interlaced, palms up and elevate just off the ground. Hold it there for 30 seconds. Score: 1. Struggled fiercely, bit growled. 2. Struggled fiercely. 3. No struggle, relaxed. 4. Struggled, settled, licked. 5. No struggled, licked at hands. 6. No struggle, froze.

Retrieving:

This test will help determine the degree of willingness to work with a human. There is a high correlation between ability to retrieve and successful guide dogs, obedience dogs, field trial dogs. Test: Crouch beside pup and attract its attention with crumpled up paper ball. When the pup shows interest and is watching, toss the object 1 to 2 meters in front of pup. Score: 1. Chases object, picks up object and runs away. 2. Chases object, stands over object, does not return. 3. Chases object and returns with object to tester. 4. Chases object and returns without object to tester. 5. Starts to chase object, loses interest. 6. Does not chase object.

Touch Sensitivity:

This test will help determine the degree of sensitivity to touch. Test 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. Score: 1. 8 - 10 seconds before response. 2. 6 - 7 seconds before response. 3. 5 - 6 seconds before response. 4. 3- 4 seconds before response. 5. 1 - 2 seconds before response.

Sound Sensitivity:

This test will help determine the degree of sensitivity to sound (also a rudimentary test for deafness). It may also indicate the degree of assurance or shyness of the puppy. Test: Place pup in centre of area. Tester of assistant makes a sharp noise a few feet from the puppy. A large metal spoon struck sharply on a metal pan twice works well. Score: 1. Listens, locates sound, walks towards it barking. 2. Listens, locates sound, barks. 3. Listens, locates sound, and walks there curiously. 4. Listens, locates sound. 5. Cringes, backs off, hides. 6. Ignores sound, shows no curiosity.

 

Sight Sensitivity:

This test will help determine the degree of intelligent response to strange object. Test: Place pup in centre of room. Tie a string around a large towel and jerk it across the floor a few feet away from the puppy. Score: 1. Looks, attacks and bites. 2. Looks, barks and tail up. 3. Looks curiously, attempts to investigate. 4. Looks, barks, tail-tuck. 5. Runs away, hides.

Structure:

This test will help determine the degree of structural soundness. Good structure is necessary.

Test: The puppy is gently set in a natural stance and evaluated for structure in the following categories: Score: Good: The puppy is correct in structure. Fair: The puppy has a slight fault or deviation. Poor: The puppy has an extreme fault of deviation.