Does temperament vary much between breeds of dog?
Posted by Dog Supplies Advice in Dog Supplies Q&A, tags: dog breeds, dog care, dog questions & answers, dog supplies, dog supplies advice, temperamentDoes temperament vary much between breeds of dog? We were wondering whether certain breeds might be better with children than others.
Over the years, different breeds of dogs were developed to perform specific tasks (e.g. guarding, hunting, herding), and consequently, as well as developing a characteristic appearance, they also developed variations in temperament.
The gundog breeds (retrievers and setters), although inclined to be boisterous, are essentially good-natured and easy to train. The majority of guide dogs for the blind (seeing-eye dogs) are Labrador Retrievers. Also very even tempered are the smaller spaniels (King Charles, known in North America as the English Toy Spaniel, and Cavalier King Charles), and, while rather playful and slow at learning, most Beagles have an easy-going disposition. The large streamlined dogs which hunt by sight (Afghan Hound, Saluki, Borzoi and Greyhound), often prove difficult to control, particularly if allowed off the lead. Collies develop a strong loyalty to members of the family and are rather wary of strangers. Border Collies have a strong herding instinct and, with nothing to occupy them, they can become frustrated to the point of hysteria. Given the opportunity, they will chase sheep and even try to herd people. Probably better for a family would be the smaller breeds of these two types, the Whippet and Shetland Sheepdog. Both are very good with children if not handled too roughly.
The Bulldog is a placid breed but its habits of slobbering and snoring can be tiresome and many people would prefer the Bull Terrier or Staffordshire Bull Terrier. These breeds are not to be trusted with strange dogs, which they will usually want to fight, though they are very affectionate towards people, including children, and make first-class family pets.
In general, the smaller breeds are less easy-going, more on the defensive and inclined to be snappy with children. In Corgis, in particular, this tendency needs to be firmly curbed early in life. As a rule the small terriers are tough, wiry and inquisitive, and certain breeds (e.g. Border Terrier and Boston Terrier) tolerate children much better than others (e.g. the Scottish and Yorkshire Terriers). Both the Dachshund and Chihuahua are inclined to bark a lot if unchecked, which may lead to complaints from neighbors, and the latter is particularly likely to be bad-tempered with children and strangers.
The German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian) is the most popular breed in the world and an excellent working dog, but some individuals are very shy and apprehensive and become aggressive through fear. The Boxer is usually a friendly exuberant dog which remains playful for several years, though some animals develop unstable temperaments.
Dogs bred primarily for their guarding ability (such as the Dobermann Pinscher and Rottweiler) have forceful, dominant personalities, especially the German strains, and should always be well trained and strictly controlled. They are really not suitable as family pets. Great Danes are like young colts, rather skittish and inclined to crash into things; not the best choice for a young family. Indeed, because of their size and strength, the larger breeds do not make good family pets, particularly as nowadays some members of these breeds have very unstable personalities. Particular strains of certain breeds exhibit very strange behavior. For instance, some Dobermanns will happily suck the skin of their flank for long periods, and some extremely nervous pointers will ‘freeze’ at the approach of a human or any loud noise.
Regrettably, the temperament of many breeds has suffered through the years as a result of their breeding. Two factors are responsible. First, the breed standards, i.e. the ideal characteristics for each breed which have been established by each particular Breed Society, have concentrated almost exclusively on the animals’ appearance and paid little attention to temperament. As a result of trying to produce what they regard as an ideal physical type, breeders may have unwittingly developed strains which are mentally unstable. Secondly, tempted by easy profits, some dog breeders have bred from animals that were clearly physically or mentally unsound, in order to satisfy the enormous public demand for the currently ‘fashionable’ breeds. Over the years, Cocker Spaniels, Toy and Miniature Poodles and German Shepherd Dogs (Alsatians) have been harmed in this way.
As a result of this state of affairs, there are nowadays some members of almost all breeds that suffer from inherent behavioral defects which cannot be corrected by training. Such dogs are politely described as highly strung; a euphemism for neurotic and snappy. Some of these are unpredictable, and will show vicious unprovoked aggression (idiopathic viciousness or rage syndrome) during which they will attack adults and children indiscriminately. At such times these animals develop a glazed look in their eyes and do not recognize anyone, including their owner. In Britain this behavior is well recognized in some of the most popular breeds, especially Cocker Spaniels, German Shepherd Dogs (Alsatians) and Labradors. In the Netherlands the same problem is seen in St Bernards and in the United States is not uncommon in Dobermanns and in Bernese Mountain Dogs. Investigation has shown that all the affected British Cocker Spaniels have the same four champion ancestors; and there seems little doubt that in this and other breeds the temperamental defects have a genetic origin. The best way to try and avoid purchasing an animal from one of the known affected strains is to consult your local vet who will usually be familiar with the quality of the dogs produced by local breeders. Any dog which becomes so mentally unstable as to make unprovoked attacks is clearly best put to sleep without delay, particularly if children are at risk.
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