Gun Dog Forum

This test has been mentioned a few times in another topic, wanted to add a copy of it for people to take a look at.

Obviously RayG uses it, anyone else? Did it help?

I gave it a try. At the end, it more or less verified what I thought I already knew about the pups. The thing that I thought made it a crapshoot is how much the pups changed everyday. How is a snapshot in time going to indicate what a pup will be like 2-3 years down the road? I also feel like their are some nuture variables that could greatly affect the outcome. In the litters I have had, I have seen the most submissive turn dominant and vise versa durning the 5-10th weeks so I think timing could play a role (and yes I know they call out the 49th day). I personally believe that dogs have good and bad days just like people so how do you account for that?

Would I do it again....sure. It was just another fun day with the pups. Was it an accurate indicator of what pup will turn into... I have no idea.

How old is the puppy suppose to be when you test them? Is there a specific age range? This is the first time I have ever heard/seen one of these.

Thanks

I've seen pretty accurate results from experienced people doing the test (they had evaluated a lot of litters). And been accurate for the dogs at the extremes for those litters. I think it's a good idea especially for inexperienced breeders and new dog owners with kids. It's good in that it puts a little bit of structure around what can be a completely subjective evaluation.

Edit: the volhard site says perform the test at 49 days - http://www.volhard.com/pages/pat.php

My experience is similar to Traditions. Seems like a "snap shot" during their development. I do however use the "Super Dog - BIO Senser" method and believe it works.

Is someone going to get a new pup???

My best results have been on pups 7 - 8 weeks old who have been separated from their mother for at least a week but have remained together as a litter.

I know what the test is and how it is performed. As a buyer what does the test tell me that the breeder, who has watched the puppies for eight weeks, can't?

Jagerdawg wrote:I know what the test is and how it is performed. As a buyer what does the test tell me that the breeder, who has watched the puppies for eight weeks, can't?

It's a breeder tool, not a buyer tool.

I'm sorry I worded my question wrong. What does this test tell the breeder that 8 weeks of interaction and observation doesn't? As a breeder do you feel you learn something from the test you otherwise wouldn't know?

I've used it on five litters and it can provide a confirmation of what is observed over 7 weeks. It is recommended to conduct the test at 7 weeks. If nothing else, it can be a tool to show rather than tell a buyer what you've observed. I've been fortunate through nearly 50 puppies I've never had one at one of the scale or the other.

Jay

Thank you that was pretty much what I figured.

Have used it and have tested litters for others. As for my litter, I can't say I learned anything more than I had already seen. I do believe it does give you an idea if a certain pup were not a good personality match for a prospective home or the other way around.

With pointing breed pups that I have tested, I've had many that will point the rag on a string rather than chase it. And many pups that won't retrieve in the test have turned out to be great retrievers.

I used this test on my last litter and it pretty much confirmed what I already knew. I like the test and will do it in the future. It is just another tool, and tools are good! I do think the snapshot part makes it less reliable, but you could do it more than once and see what changes.

I have known some breeders that don't have a clue of what they have watched in a litter for 8 weeks. If your a smart and informed breeder then the test can confirm what you may already know about your pups. Test should be done by a total stranger to the pups. I use a seperate test sheet for each pup. I have used this test on many litters I have tested for breeders and my own litters too done by a neutral party. If done correctly you can tell a lot about a litter. Hopefully they all score in the middle of the road. Not to independent and not to shy.