Why We Use Temperament
Testing On Our Puppies

Whether you’re looking for a therapy dog, an active sidekick for agility, or a gentle companion for your young children, temperament matters. The puppy that runs straight into your lap might not be the best match for a busy home, and the one that rolls over immediately when touched might not be confident enough for service work.

Using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test combined with our daily observations we're able to thoughtfully guide each family to a puppy that aligns with their lifestyle, energy level, and goals.
It’s important to note: Volhard was designed with puppies who had minimal handling in mind. Since our puppies are raised with the ENS method and are highly socialized from birth, we adapt the testing slightly to get more accurate and relevant results.

Our Process

Social Attraction - degree of social attraction to people, confidence or dependence.
Following - willingness to follow a person.
Restraint - degree of dominant or submissive tendency, and ease of handling in difficult situations.
Social Dominance - degree of acceptance of social dominance by a person.
Elevation - degree of accepting dominance while in a position of no control, such as at the veterinarian or groomer.
Retrieving - degree of willingness to do something for you. Together with Social Attraction and Following a key indicator for ease or difficulty in training.
Touch Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to touch and a key indicator to the type of training equipment required.
Sound Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to sound, such as loud noises or thunderstorms.
Sight Sensitivity - degree of response to a moving object, such as chasing bicycles, children or squirrels.
Stability - degree of startle response to a strange object.

How The Scores Help

Each response is scored, giving us a fuller picture of your puppy’s instincts, temperament, and tendencies. While no dog is just a number, these insights are incredibly helpful when matching puppies with the right homes.

Example interpretations:

Puppies scoring mostly 3’s are adaptable, eager to learn, and often ideal for therapy or service work.

Puppies scoring mostly 4’s are a great fit for families with young children and make easygoing companions.

A mix of 2’s and 3’s might indicate a confident, high-drive pup perfect for agility or advanced training. Understanding your goals whether it’s a cuddly lap dog or an outgoing adventure buddy helps us recommend the right puppy from the right litter.

Mostly 1’s

Strong desire to be pack leader and is not shy about bucking for a promotion.
Has a predisposition to be aggressive to people and other dogs and will bite.
Should only be placed into a very experienced home where the dog will be trained and worked on a regular basis.

Top Dog Tips: Stay away from the puppy with a lot of 1’s or 2’s. It has lots of leadership aspirations and may be difficult to manage. This puppy needs an experienced home. Not good with children.

Mostly 2’s

Also has leadership aspirations.
May be hard to manage and has the capacity to bite
Has lots of self confidence.
Should not be placed into an inexperienced home.
Too unruly to be good with children and elderly people, or other animals.
Needs strict schedule, loads of exercise and lots of training.
Has the potential to be a great show dog with someone who understands dog behavior.

Mostly 3’s

Can be a high energy dog and may need lots of exercise.
Good with people and other animals.
Can be a bit of a handful to live with.
Needs training, does very well at it and learns quickly.
Great dog for second time owner.

Mostly 4’s

The kind of dog that makes the perfect pet.
Best choice for the first time owner.
Rarely will buck for a promotion in the family.
Easy to train, and rather quiet.
Good with elderly people, children, although may need protection from the children.
Choose this pup, take it to obedience classes, and you’ll be the star, without having to do too much work!

Mostly 5’s

Fearful, shy and needs special handling.
Will run away at the slightest stress in its life.
Strange people, strange places, different floor or ground surfaces may upset it.
Often afraid of loud noises and terrified of thunder storms. When you greet it upon your return, may submissively urinate.
Needs a very special home where the environment doesn’t change too much and where there are no children.
Best for a quiet, elderly couple.
If cornered and cannot get away, has a tendency to bite.

Mostly 6’s

So independent that he doesn’t need you or other people.
Doesn’t care if he is trained or not he is his own person.
Unlikely to bond to you, since he doesn’t need you.
A great guard dog for gas stations!
Do not take this puppy and think you can change him into a lovable bundle you can’t, so leave well enough alone.

Volhard Temperament Testing At White Sand Golden Retrievers

Choosing the right puppy isn’t always easy especially when you’re face to face with a group of wagging tails and irresistible eyes. Every puppy is adorable, but not every puppy is the right fit for every family. That’s where temperament testing comes in. At White Sand Golden Retrievers, we use our own version of the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test a well respected evaluation that helps us understand your puppy’s natural tendencies and how they may respond to life in your home.