Abracadabra

Temperament Test #1 - Birth to 3 days

How does this puppy come into the world?

This puppy grunted and had a lot of energy at birth.  It vigorously tried to get to a warm spot and would move around the other puppies to get there.  This puppy receives a score of 5 for this category.

Noises this puppy makes in the first 8 hours of life?

This puppy is very quiet when in the den with his pack.  He grunts here and there when eating, but otherwise he is quiet. It is when he is picked up that he begins to grunt some.  When turned over, he grunts loudly and cries out, especially if he cannot right himself right away.  This puppy receives a score of 8 for this category.

What is the energy level of this pup?

This puppy is relatively still and calm with in the den.  He stays close to mom and eats and sleeps.  He doesn't move much outside of getting to a place to eat.  He does, however, move into action when he is lifted, turned over, or placed on the scale.  In fact, he almost leaped off the scale and needed to be steadied.  This puppy receives a score of 6 for this category.

What is the reaction of this pup to the first medical examination?

This puppy continuously moved and wiggled during the exam.  He grunted and cried out vigorously when turned over.  He moved a great deal while on the scale and it was hard to get a reading on his weight.  This puppy receives a score of 6 for this category.

What is the reaction of this pup when it is turned over on its back?

This puppy writhed and wiggled, cried out and grunted loudly trying vigorously to right itself.  It looked mad, but when righted, he immediately calmed down and grunted softly trying to move up and under the chin.  This puppy receives a score of 5 for this category.

What is the reaction of this pup when it is placed back with its mother?

This puppy calmly sniffed in all directions for a split second then moved in a straight line.  When he touched mom's nose with his nose, he moved directly in a straight line back to mom until he reached her side.  He receives a score of 8 for this category.

What is the reaction of this pup when touched by a human?

This puppy immediately began to move when touched by a human.  His little legs began moving and scooting.  When picked up and pet he continued to wiggle his feet and bob his head.  He grunted at the same time.  This puppy receives a score of 8 for this category.

Overall, this puppy receives a score of 6.6 on this first temperament test.

This puppy yawned and grunted a lot throughout the weigh in session today.  His eyes are just barely opening, so this is probably the factor.  He stiffened when his head was touched.  We will note this for this week and see what happens next week during the official temperament test.  

Temperament Test #2 - 2.5 to 3 weeks

What is the reaction to a dropped loud object?

This puppy initially flinched and then stiffened some.  He then moved his head away from the object to look away.  After 4 seconds, this puppy went back to playing without a care.  He did not go to investigate the object.  This puppy receives a score of 6 for this category.

What is the reaction when pup is roughly pet?

This puppy remained quiet and calm.  He did not move into the pet, but did not try to move away.  This puppy lowered head slightly initially, but then remained still.  This puppy receives a score of 8 for this category.

What is the reaction when pup is picked up?

This puppy remained calm and loose.  No noises were heard from the puppy and he did not struggle.  This puppy receives a score of 9 for this category.

What is the reaction of this pup when it is turned over on its back?

This puppy remained calm and quiet, looking around with his eyes.  He was not stiff, but also not loose and did not relax, but remained alert.  This puppy receives a score of 8 for this category.

What is the reaction of this pup when it is placed in a wicker basket?

This puppy calmly sniffed in all directions, especially on the upper sides of the basket.  He was a little shaky, but bravely explored.  He remained quiet throughout except for a slight whimper after exploring his surroundings on all sides.  He receives a score of 8 for this category.

What is the reaction of this pup when it is placed back away from siblings?

This puppy calmly looked around for about a minute.  Then, he quietly and slowly moved over to the pile of puppies, found a spot on the outside and curled up to sleep.  He receives a score of 10+ for this category.

Overall, this puppy receives a score of 8.3 on this second temperament test.

Temperament Test #3 - 6 weeks

What is the reaction to a dropped loud object?

This puppy did not flinch or react at all.  He heard the object as he looked over at it, and moved immediately to explore it.  He continuously wagged his tail throughout.  About halfway to the object, he became distracted and did not continue to move toward the object, but began to play instead.  He receives a score of 9 for this category.

What is the reaction when pup is roughly pet?

This puppy remained quiet throughout the pet.  He continuously wagged his tail throughout the pet and moved his body to accommodate for the roughness.  He did not move into the pet, but instead was on the go.  He wanted to move around and explore his foreign surroundings instead of hang out to be pet.  This puppy was not stiff, but relaxed.  This puppy receives a score of 8 for this category.

What is the reaction when pup is picked up?

This puppy remained calm and still throughout this exercise.  No noises were heard from the puppy and he did not struggle.  He initially wagged his tail, but then his tail ceased its wagging until after the lift, at which time it again immediately began wagging happily.  Although he wasn't exactly stiff, he was not completely loose, either.  He was midway between.  He arched his back and lifted up his head as if to counter-balance.  He did not open his mouth and left his eyes open.  He did not look around, but remained still.  This puppy receives a score of 9 for this category.

What is the reaction of this pup when it is turned over on its back?

This puppy remained calm and quiet, looking around with his eyes, but keeping his head in one place.  He was not stiff and remained alert.  He wagged his tail playfully throughout the turn.  This puppy receives a score of 9 for this category.

What is the reaction of this pup when it is placed in a wicker basket?

This puppy calmly sniffed in all directions, especially on the upper sides of the basket.  He was a little shaky, but bravely explored.  He remained quiet throughout, but vigorously wagged his tail and moved his head around the basket.  He did not try to escape and did not place his paws on the basket.  He receives a score of 8 for this category.

What is the reaction of this pup when it is placed back away from siblings?

This puppy immediately turned around and came back with his tail wagging to be pet by the humans.  He receives a score of 8 for this category.

Overall, this puppy receives a score of 8.5 on this third temperament test.

Temp Test #1: 6.6

Temp Test #2: 8.3

Temp Test #3: 8.5

This male has a very small patch of white on his chest and all white toes.  He has a black tipped tail and a black nose and chin.