The «
Temperament Correct» pit bull: seeks out human interaction; is responsive, biddable and eager to please; may be genetically predisposed to aggression towards other
dogs or animals; is appropriately submissive; is
well balanced and optimistic; enjoys handling; presents
good eye contact; is able to be calm in the presence of other
dogs on leash or — if initially leash reactive - can learn how to tolerate their presence; is willing to connect
with handler during high arousal; can be handled safely
even in times of high arousal; accepts a reasonable amount of confinement; drops arousal levels quickly when removed from a stressful situation; is social
with people of all types; is responsive and
good natured; is never aggressive towards humans.
While
well - bred Dalmatians are a dream to live
with, poorly bred
dogs can be rife
with behavioral and
temperament problems including hyperactivity, biting, stubbornness and
even aggression.
Unlike
with dogs from pet stores — and
even from breeders, especially for puppies — many shelters have performed
temperament tests on all of their
dogs, and know from previous owners what a
good fit will be for them.
They were very successful and now the breed is known for its loyalty to their family (as apposed to an individual) and of course their
temperament (which is known as
even tempered animals
with the ability to be
well trained, and still be effective as a guard
dog).