Best dog temperaments: 10 dogs with the best temperament for families

10 dogs with the best temperament for families

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The kids have been asking for a dog, and you’ve finally caved. What type should you get? All these breeds have good temperaments and will be a welcome addition.

Steve AugerDecember 2, 2021December 28, 2021

All kinds of families enjoy life with a pet, and for many families, a dog is the top choice. Once you’ve decided it’s the right time to add a dog to your household, picking the right kind of canine for your family is especially important to making a good match.

If you’re looking for a dog that will fit right in with your family, here’s a list of 10 dog breeds with the best temperament, courtesy of Vetstreet:

1. 

Golden retriever

If there’s one dog that typifies a friendly dog, it’s a golden. They’re loyal, fun and intelligent and love everyone they meet. They just always seem to be happy!

2. 

Collie

First and foremost, collies love children and love playing with them. They’ll love you, too, since they thrive on being around all family members. And while most collies don’t have the powers of Lassie, they are gentle and affectionate, two traits that make a great family dog.

3. 

Saint Bernard

Don’t let the size fool you. With some initial training, these dogs are gentle giants. A Saint Bernard will be calm and patient with kids. They are also big enough that little ones won’t hurt them during playtime.

4. 

Great Dane

Great Danes are also big dogs. But they have the heart to match their size. Affectionate and loving, Danes will adore your kids and get along with other family pets. They’re also very protective of their families.

5. 

Pugs

On the opposite end of the size spectrum is the pug. These fun-loving little pups were originally bred as companion dogs, and they certainly live up to that billing. Get used to having a four-legged shadow because pugs will follow you from room to room.

6. 

Boxers

Don’t let the wrinkled face fool you. Boxers love their owners (and their children, too). They’re happy and fun, and that’s reflected in their willingness to play. They’re also intelligent, so make sure they’re properly trained early or else they might outsmart you.

7. 

Staffordshire bull terriers

These dogs truly love their humans. Originally from Great Britain, they were given the nickname of “the children’s nursemaid.” They are smart and tenacious but also full of energy and enthusiasm. A Stafford thrives on being by your side while also being protective of you and your family.

8. 

Bulldog

This gentle dog is perfectly described by the word “good natured.” They love kids, are affectionate and exude loyalty. They’re also easy to train. Their even temperament makes them suitable for any age, including older folks looking for companionship of the furry kind.

9. 

Cavalier King Charles spaniel

These cute fur balls enjoy your presence no matter where you are. They might even try to follow you into the bathroom. Another breed that loves children, they do better with older kids, given their small size. So teach your little toddlers how to pet them gently. One advantage of their small size, however, is they’re perfectly suited for a quality cuddle in your lap.

10. 

Labrador retriever

No list of dogs with the best temperament would be complete without including the Labrador retriever. The typical Lab is outgoing and kind, eager to please their owner and rarely aggressive toward people or other animals. They tend to have high energy levels, which make them a perfect fit for active families. Like a bulldog, the Lab’s even temperament makes them ideally suited for older folks.

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What Dog Breed Has the Best Temperament?

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By AAAStateofPlay. com

Since 1977, the American Temperament Test Society has been conducting its Temperament Test for canine breeds. The Temperament Test measures “stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog’s instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat.” The test simulates a walk through a neighborhood or park where daily life situations occur. The dog experiences visual (sudden sights like opening umbrellas), auditory (sounds like gunshots and hidden noises), and tactile (walking on different types of surfaces) stimuli. The exercise also tests their behavior toward friendly, neutral, and hostile strangers. A dog fails the test if it shows unprovoked aggression, panic without recovery, or intense fear and avoidance. Other dogs are not present during the test, so it does not take into account dog-on-dog aggression.

As of December 2017, 34,686 dogs have been tested; 29,017 have passed and 5,669 have failed, making the pass rate 83. 7%.

Here are the top 10 dog breeds that have the highest pass rates:

1. French Bulldog — 96.2% passed out of 52 dogs tested.
2. Boerboel — 94.7% passed out of 57 dogs tested.
3. Belgian Malinois — 94.1% passed out of 440 dogs tested.
4. English Cocker Spaniel — 93.3% passed out of 75 dogs tested.
5. Labrador Retriever — 92.2% passed out of 842 dogs tested.
6. Flat-Coated Retriever — 92% passed out of 87 dogs tested.
7. German Pinscher — 91.90% passed out of 37 dogs tested.
8. Pug — 91.7% passed out of 48 dogs tested.
9. Curly-Coated Retriever — 91.7% passed out of 181 dogs tested.
10. Bull Terrier — 91.6% passed out of 83 dogs tested.

Also included in this visualization are the American Kennel Club’s Most Popular Dog Breeds rankings for 2018. The most popular dog breeds are as follows:

1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Golden Retriever
4. French Bulldog
5. Bulldog
6. Poodle
7. Rottweiler
8. German Shorthaired Pointer
9. Yorkshire Terrier
10. Boxer

As you can see, many of the most popular breeds also rank high on the Temperament Test! This may be why these breeds are so beloved, and it may also be influenced by responsible breeding practices. However, it is also important to note that mixed breeds (like most rescues) score well on the Temperament Test. If you are looking to welcome a dog into your family, consider rescuing or purchasing from a responsible breeder, do your research! Some dogs are relatively low energy and most like to laze around the house. Other breeds need more stimulation by going for longer walks, working on doggy puzzles or even going to a dog park. Every home is unique and some breeds work better than others for each individual family.

Find more about the author: Kim Hart

Which dog is easier to get along with?

Komsomolskaya Pravda

Dom. FamilyThe Living CornerThe Living Corner: news and interesting

January 31, 2008 1:00

Watchdogs, like humans, have four types of temperaments

Did you know that dogs, like humans, have four types of temperaments: melancholic, choleric, sanguine and phlegmatic? By the way, some breeds clearly correspond to a certain type of temperament.

That’s why try to find a breed that matches your own temperament. Because a calm or elderly person will be tired of an overly fussy and agile dog; and for a young and active person, the slowness of the dog will become a constant source of irritation.

Phlegmatic people: nannies and monogamous people

Perfectly fit calm, self-confident people. Dogs of this type are usually large, have strong bones. Phlegmatic people are often monogamous and will tend to protect the owner. Excellent nannies – these dogs love children and forgive them any pranks.

Virtues : will never disturb the owner, will not bark and bite in vain. Phlegmatic people rarely get lost or run away from their owners (even during mating seasons) – they prefer to keep you always in sight.

Disadvantages : slowness, and sometimes excessive independence. If it seemed to the dog that the command was inappropriate at that moment, then he would simply ignore it.

Breeds : Rottweiler, Bullmastiff, Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, Dogue de Bordeaux, Mastino, Leonberger, Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

Cholerics: learn quickly, forget quickly

Mobile, active and unbalanced dogs. Usually choleric people are thin-boned and almost never plump. Dogs of this temperament are better to have active people, often and for a long time in nature.

Virtues : choleric people are very brave, they like to walk for a long time and tirelessly, they instantly remember commands (and quickly forget them, so periodic refreshment of skills is required).

Faults : frequent and unreasonable barking, howling alone, aggression towards strangers (up to bites), such dogs are difficult to calm down.

Breeds : choleric is found in almost all dwarf, small and medium dog breeds. For example, fox terrier, poodle, toy terrier, chihuahua, dachshund. There are also large breeds, among which there are many overly temperamental individuals: for example, Dalmatian, Doberman, German Shepherd, hunting breeds.

Sanguine: Suitable for any owner

Dogs of medium build, can adapt to any owner’s temperament. These are mobile, inquisitive and balanced animals, they are easily trained and remember the learned commands all their lives.

Virtues : a sanguine person will never bite an old woman passing by – after all, this temperament and unreasonable aggression are incompatible. Such a dog will not howl and bark, left alone at home. Will tirelessly play the games you suggested.

Faults : sanguine people like to play the fool, shirking commands (often because it is not interesting), a favorite trick is to pretend to be deaf. Sanguine males are often pugnacious.

Breeds : Boxer, Great Dane, Collie, Airedale Terrier, Labrador, Large and Medium Poodle, Most Shepherd Dogs, Dachshund, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier.

Melancholics: Sleepyheads and lazybones

An undesirable type of temperament for any breed, but more often melancholics are born among very large and “folded” breeds of dogs. Melancholics are often considered “brakes” – they need time to react to a command or even their nickname, they are hard to learn. From a loud sound, a melancholic dog can easily fall into a stupor, and from the expression of the owner’s anger – get a stroke. Melancholics suffer more than other dogs from the New Year’s cannonade.

Pros : the perfect sofa pet. A lazy person will appreciate the melancholic’s dislike for walks. Your dog will lift his leg (or sit down) right at the entrance and immediately pull the leash towards the house – back on the sofa.

Faults : weak nervous system, prone to breakdowns, dislike of changing places and circumstances, poor ability to train.

Breeds : English Mastiff, Bullmastiff, Great Dane, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Dogue de Bordeaux, Saint Bernard, Cane Corso.

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Peculiarities of temperament of dogs of different breeds

Details

March 16, 2016

Author: Olga

Category: Behavior/Psychology

Views: 20680

How do people usually choose dogs? – Someone liked the charming neighbor’s dog, someone came across an interesting article on the Internet about a rare breed, and someone from childhood dreamed of a Pekingese (Toychik, Pinscher). All these desires are adjusted by the availability of conditions for a new family member and the time that you can devote to him. And another 90% of future owners dream of an obedient, playful and calm pet. And this is where the inconsistency begins.

First of all, playfulness and calmness are already different qualities. And secondly, future owners often take the external data and size of the dog as a basis, and consider the character and temperament to be something secondary, correctable and not particularly dependent on the breed.

But it happens the other way around. Faced a couple of times with a cowardly trembling toy or an evil pinscher, a person attributes these qualities to all representatives of the breed, not even being interested in what the standard says about this. Both approaches are fundamentally wrong. Yes, all dogs are different, but you can’t drink the breed temperament, but it is important to clearly understand what it really is, and what is a serious deviation and even breeding marriage.

What is temperament?

Temperament is often confused with character. They even think they are one and the same. In fact, temperament is the basis for the formation of a dog’s character. You know, like a pyramid in a children’s toy, there is a base on which multi-colored rings are strung. Well, the scientific definition of temperament is:

Temperament (lat. temperamentum – proportionality, proper ratio of parts) – a stable set of individual psychophysiological characteristics of a person associated with dynamic, rather than meaningful aspects of activity

Not very clear, is it? Well, let’s try to decipher it. Temperament rather describes the typical reactions, emotions, and displays of activity in a dog. And considers the rate of their change (dynamically), as well as their shade, “degree”. Those. not what kind of dog – evil or kind, but how quickly and easily it can be in a state of aggression and how much this aggression will be expressed.

Yes, and we ourselves often say in a nimble and lively dog ​​that he is more temperamental than the one that prefers to sleep and soak up the hands of the mistress. Those. again, we mean the speed, intensity and characteristics of the flow of certain mental reactions, actions, and not specific character traits. Well, academician Pavlov systematized all this and singled out the main types of temperament, depending on the characteristics of the organization of nervous activity.

Types of dog temperament

Everything here is like with people. Dogs also have sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic and melancholic. Only now the characteristics of temperament types will have their own, canine, features.

So, mini- sanguine is a pleasant in all respects, cheerful and curious dog. His reactions of excitation and inhibition are perfectly balanced, so there are no hysterical or vicious dogs among sanguine people. However, they are brave, courageous and smart enough. Add to this excellent trainability and we get the perfect companion and show pet.

Cholerics – also active and interested in everything, but they have some bias in the emotional sphere. These are the most “talkative” pets, and all because of increased excitability, so they strive to tell you about all their feelings. At the same time, choleric people are desperate brave men, and often bullies. Even towards humans and larger dogs. Naturally, it will not be easy to train such a baby. But he will be happy to run with you in the morning or do agility. And it is still unknown which of you will be the first to get tired!

Phlegmatic people , in the minds of many, these are such lazy bumpkins who only sleep and eat. Therefore, they are always fat and clumsy. In fact, these are very good-natured and pleasant pets. Yes, they will not enthusiastically run after a wand or frolic in the park, but at the same time they are quite obedient and rarely cowardly. In addition, such a dog will never offend your child, but will steadfastly endure all his pranks. Phlegmatic people will not get involved in fights. And they are very affectionate, often monogamous. As for training, of course, you will have to tinker with them, but they learn all the commands and rules of behavior once and for all. In fact, they become part of their usual way of life, a kind of symbol of cozy stability.

Miniature melancholic are exclusively sofa or tame dogs. Why? – All because of violent reactions to any stimuli, up to fainting or unmotivated aggression. At the same time, anything can bring them out of balance, even an insect that has flown into the room. But it will take a very long time and diligently to calm the dog. Therefore, they usually choose the quietest and safest, in their opinion, place in the house and prefer to be there most of the time. It is almost pointless to train such a baby. The maximum that you can do is to teach him to cleanliness and the basic rules of behavior in the house. And it’s better not to change them anymore.

By the way, melancholics are the only type of temperament in dogs that is classified as weak. Dog lovers also say that the pet has a weak nervous system and the standards of all breeds interpret this as a flaw or defect.

Pedigree features

Well, we have dealt with the types of temperament, and now let’s clarify which of them corresponds to the breed of your baby. However, remember that dogs with a pure type, i.e. complete sanguine, choleric or phlegmatic, do not exist in nature . It is only about the dominance of one of them. But even in a bright choleric person, in some situations, one can observe certain features of a sanguine or melancholic person.

But let’s get back to the breeds and look at any standard. What do we see there? – Most often, phrases like “live and cheerful”, “not vicious and not cowardly”, “active, mobile” or “strong balanced”. And all these characteristics refer more to sanguine people. It is this kind of temperament that is most desirable for any decorative breed, as the most suitable for companion dogs.

“But how is that? They are so different! And the neighbor’s York is not at all like my Papillon! – That’s right, there are differences. Different breeds may have more or less pronounced features of other types of temperament. For example, toy terriers and miniature pinschers often have greater mobility and excitability than classical sanguines, i.e. they have some features of choleric. The same can be said about Pekingese . It is not surprising, but their tendency to aggression and leadership is also a “gift” of choleric temperament. At the same time, at home, they can behave like absolute phlegmatic people. From morning to evening, it is important to lie on your favorite chair and wait for “imperial honors.”

But Shih Tzu, Chihuahua, Papillons and Miniature Schnauzers can be classified as classic sanguine. Representatives of these breeds rarely show significant deviations towards other types. Yes, they can also be lazy or very mobile, but all these are more character traits and an imprint of a lifestyle than the original type of temperament.

Those who consider pugs to be phlegmatic are mistaken. The owners and their habit of feeding the pet make them so. And initially they are all also typical sanguine people, inquisitive and active. Well, Yorkshire Terriers one can really observe the manifestation of choleric temperament. But, firstly, it is more inherent in young dogs, and, secondly, it is successfully corrected by proper upbringing and early socialization. But, by and large, Yorkies are just very mobile sanguine people.

Slightly more difficult to correct behavior Spitz . Many of them got the most striking feature of choleric people – increased emotionality and “talkativeness”. In all other respects, these cute “cubs” are also ordinary sanguine people, and the main proof of this is their excellent learning ability. And in good nurseries, with a serious approach to breeding, “silent” and balanced Pomeranians are very successfully bred.

This is how the true picture looks with the peculiarities of the temperament of a particular breed. Well, all the evil neighborhood chihuahuas, hysterical Yorkies or clumsy pugs are nothing but the costs of improper breeding, care and upbringing of a pet. And it’s definitely not worth making a conclusion about the entire breed based on, such, its individual representatives.

Determination of temperament when choosing a puppy

So, tomorrow you are going to get a puppy. And even if you don’t really have a choice, there are only two puppies, or you have reserved a certain baby, you should still pay attention to his temperament. And here the following observations and tests will help you:

• Puppy behavior in a pack. We look at his activity, expression of emotions and relationship with brothers and sisters. He is playful or prefers to stay away from the general “hangout”. Silent or just starts to whine. In the game, he shows himself to be a clear leader or immediately concedes. Or maybe growls and initiates “showdowns”, bites. Worn like crazy, without stopping or just “on business”.
• Reaction to a stranger, i.e. on you. A two-month-old baby without significant deviations from the sanguine type usually treats people kindly. As an option, the first minutes of acquaintance may be somewhat wary. The choleric person will be more cautious, perhaps more aggressive, or vice versa, the very first one will run up and, squealing joyfully, will fawn and lick you the most. A phlegmatic baby is also suitable, but later. And it will fit, calmly and without haste. But the melancholic will run away from you and hide.
• Puppy in your arms. The sanguine will most likely freeze for a minute, and then begin to sniff you with interest. A more choleric baby will begin to twitch and show discontent in every possible way. The phlegmatic will not care, but the melancholic will definitely get scared and start whining and / or trembling heart-rendingly, even when you have already returned him to the lair. Melancholic puppies are always seen. They are the most unfortunate and many feel sorry for them. So they buy such dogs with the desire to warm, caress and protect from everything.
• Reaction to stimuli. To do this, you can stomp your foot, throw something, click something loudly. The main thing is that the sound was unusual. Alternatively, throw some of your own thing to the kids. Bright choleric people, most likely, will begin to bark at her, growl. Perhaps with fear. Sanguine people will watch from the side for a bit, and then they will come up to sniff. In a situation with a loud sound, they will be alert, and then calmly continue to sleep or play. Phlegmatic people may never approach the new “toy” or do it later than everyone else and as if it were something completely uninteresting. Sharp sounds will also not cause a violent reaction in them. If before that the phlegmatic was sleeping, then he may not even wake up, he will just shudder in his sleep and that’s it. Melancholic – gets scared, hides in a corner or burrows into his mother’s fur and will be there until everything calms down.
• How quickly he calms down. Just after the reaction to stimuli, you can check how the inhibition mechanism works in babies. Problems with this usually occur in melancholic and choleric people. They can get so excited that the owner (breeder) will have to calm them down. While the sanguine and phlegmatic can easily cope with this on their own. Well, growled for decency and that’s enough!

Naturally, when conducting all these tests and observations, you need to make adjustments for the breed and its size. Baby minis are always a bit more cautious and can come across as cowardly. Well, the active manifestation of the philanthropy of the Zwerg should not be confused with the features of a choleric temperament. However, avoid puppies with too obvious signs of hyperexcitability and a weak nervous system.

Heredity or upbringing?

The question of what has more influence on the temperament and character of a dog is an age-old dispute between breeders and trainers. The former are 100% sure that genetics will be primary here, and the latter – that all distortions are from the inexperience of the owners and their laziness.

In fact, the truth, as always, lies in the middle. Yes, the main, especially extreme, manifestations of temperament of one type or another are largely determined by heredity . And if the doggie initially has a “reinforced concrete” psyche, then it will not work to make a hysteria out of him even with very great effort. Rather, you will develop aggression in him than make him afraid of everything and everyone. In the same way, it will not work out to turn a puppy with an “awl in the pope” into a phlegmatic person, who from the first days of life is fighting either for the milky nipple, or for the right to lie on top of the rest of the puppies. Yes, and all the fuss in the lair begins from the moment he woke up. Naturally, before everyone else.

However, cruelty, ignoring the needs of the dog and the lack of timely and correct socialization can ruin all the best qualities of a sanguine puppy. And now before you is no longer a friendly and cheerful dog, but a lethargic, sad and a little cowardly dog. And if she had the minimum makings of a choleric, then this one can bite on the sly.

The inept upbringing of a choleric puppy can lead to the fact that your ward will be afraid of everything, but at the same time believe that the best defense is an attack. As a result, you simply will not be able to let him off the leash and walk with other dogs.

Significantly distort the initial characteristics of temperament can also be a long stay of a puppy in a large kennel, when the breeder simply does not have time to engage in early socialization of litters. As a result, kids are brought up exclusively according to the internal laws of the pack, but they do not know how to communicate with people at all, they are even afraid of them. It’s just that no one developed their communication skills, so such overgrown puppies seem stupid, cowardly and even aggressive.

Thus, answering the question about the main temperament-forming factors, we can draw up a kind of formula:

Dog temperament = 50% Heredity + 25% living conditions + 25% education

Correction of temperament in dogs

extremely excitable Spitz or absolutely indifferent Pekingese. Can this be fixed?

First of all, you don’t need to jump to conclusions. Let the baby first get used to the new house and get used to it and to you. And only after that his true temperament and nuances of character will be fully revealed. Well, then it all depends on what exactly you are going to correct. It is one thing to smooth out minor manifestations of increased excitability, aggressiveness or cowardice, and quite another to radically change the dominant type of temperament. Even the most experienced trainer will not cope with the last task. Nevertheless, we will give you some recommendations.

For choleric dogs, the unconditional authority of the owner, his balance and constancy of habits are extremely important. Stability and the suppression of all attempts at aggression are the main “medicines” for such pets. And no screams and cruelty. Just confidence and perseverance. Well, outdoor games and special sports will slightly “reduce” the energy bubbling in it.

Regular, long walks will help to stir up the phlegmatic person.