Temperament Test Guidelines
Printable PDF version of the Temperament Test guidelines.
A certificate will be issued for each dog passing the test.
Dog Must Wear a Buckle Collar & Strong Lead (No Choke Collars Allowed).
There will be seven tests for dog to pass:
Neutral Stranger
Friendly Stranger
Umbrella Test
Strange Footing
Rattling Can and Gun Test
Threat to Handler/Dog
BEHAVIOR TOWARD STRANGERS
Objective is to determine the dog's reaction to noise and measure its alertness and curiosity.
Neutral Stranger - A stranger passes the dog and handler, ignoring both.
Friendly Stranger - A stranger approaches the dog and handler, speaks to handler, shakes handler's hand, and leaves. The stranger is not required to touch dog.
REACTION TO ACOUSTICAL STIMULI
The objective is to determine the reaction to noise and measure dog's alertness and curiosity.
Rattling Can Containing Stones - Dog and handler walk past a stranger who shakes the can.
Gun Test - Assistant will fire blanks at a distance of 5 meters (about 16 ft.) from the dog.
REACTION TO VISUAL STIMULI
Objective is to test the dog's reaction to a sudden visual stimulus and to measure the dog's investigative behavior.
Umbrella Test - Handler and dog approach a sitting assistant who is relaxed and motionless. When the dog approaches umbrella, assistant smoothly opens and lowers it to the ground. Dog should investigate umbrella. Handler may encourage the dog for a limited time.
FOOTING TEST
Objective is to measure the reaction to unusual footing and willingness to accompany handler. Handler and dog walk lengthwise over a strong plastic sheet laid flat, or over an opened dog pen laid flat on level ground (Strange Footing).
SELF-PROTECTIVE/AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR
Objective is to test dog's capacity to recognize a potential threatening situation and show how the dog defends himself and his owner in a positive manner when faced with a threat (Threat to Handler/Dog). If handler anticipates trouble controlling the dog, a second leash attached to a suitable object (vehicle or post) may be used. An unfriendly stranger will approach the dog and handler with a stick and appear to attack. At no time is the dog or handler touched or beaten with the stick.
Disqualification - Any Fila showing cowardice or aggression to its owner is immediately disqualified and cannot pass the Temperament Test.
Dog Must Wear a Buckle Collar & Strong Lead (No Choke Collars Allowed).
There will be seven tests for dog to pass:
Neutral Stranger
Friendly Stranger
Umbrella Test
Strange Footing
Rattling Can and Gun Test
Threat to Handler/Dog
BEHAVIOR TOWARD STRANGERS
Objective is to determine the dog's reaction to noise and measure its alertness and curiosity.
Neutral Stranger - A stranger passes the dog and handler, ignoring both.
Friendly Stranger - A stranger approaches the dog and handler, speaks to handler, shakes handler's hand, and leaves. The stranger is not required to touch dog.
REACTION TO ACOUSTICAL STIMULI
The objective is to determine the reaction to noise and measure dog's alertness and curiosity.
Rattling Can Containing Stones - Dog and handler walk past a stranger who shakes the can.
Gun Test - Assistant will fire blanks at a distance of 5 meters (about 16 ft.) from the dog.
REACTION TO VISUAL STIMULI
Objective is to test the dog's reaction to a sudden visual stimulus and to measure the dog's investigative behavior.
Umbrella Test - Handler and dog approach a sitting assistant who is relaxed and motionless. When the dog approaches umbrella, assistant smoothly opens and lowers it to the ground. Dog should investigate umbrella. Handler may encourage the dog for a limited time.
FOOTING TEST
Objective is to measure the reaction to unusual footing and willingness to accompany handler. Handler and dog walk lengthwise over a strong plastic sheet laid flat, or over an opened dog pen laid flat on level ground (Strange Footing).
SELF-PROTECTIVE/AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR
Objective is to test dog's capacity to recognize a potential threatening situation and show how the dog defends himself and his owner in a positive manner when faced with a threat (Threat to Handler/Dog). If handler anticipates trouble controlling the dog, a second leash attached to a suitable object (vehicle or post) may be used. An unfriendly stranger will approach the dog and handler with a stick and appear to attack. At no time is the dog or handler touched or beaten with the stick.
Disqualification - Any Fila showing cowardice or aggression to its owner is immediately disqualified and cannot pass the Temperament Test.
