Our study supports the notion reported by Glickman (2000) that personality factors such as aggression
toward people and fearfulness or agitation in response to strangers or environmental changes were associated with an increased risk of GDV, whereas a «happy» and easy going
temperament, submission to
other dogs or people, high activity level, and attending
dog shows decreased the risk of GDV.
Of the personality - associated factors with the occurrence of GDV, positive behavioral traits (happy and easygoing
temperament) and submissive behaviors (
toward other dogs or people) were associated with a decreased risk of GDV; negative behavioral traits (fearfulness or agitation in response to strangers or environmental changes) and aggression to people were associated with an increased risk.
* has spent a number of years studying and learning about their breed * is active in one or more breed clubs or similar groups and thus is in regular contact with
other people in the breed * knows their breeding stock inside and out for several generations back * has an «eye for a
dog» and has developed a detailed picture of the type of
dog they're breeding
toward * almost always compete in some in some sort of activity with their
dogs (conformation, working activities, obedience etc.) so as to have a realistic idea of how their
dogs compare to
others of the same the breed * is knowledgable about the hereditary problems that occur in their breed and has the appropriate tests done prior to breeding in order to decrease the likelihood of their occurance in their pups * considers
temperament important * is knowledgable about the mating and whelping of
dogs in general, so as to minimize the chances of injury or death to the breeding
dogs * is extremely concerned with the quality of the homes that their puppies are destinied for, to the point of not performing a breeding if they don't feel good homes will be available for the pups * never has more
dogs of their own than they are properly able to care for * is willing and able to educate and build a relationship with their puppy buyers * is honest * uses spay / neuter contracts and / or limited registration to prevent the casual breeding of their puppies * is ALWAYS willing to take back a
dog of their breeding if a puppy buyer can not keep it for any reason.
Moreover, regardless of breed or breeding, a
dog's
temperament, especially his feelings
toward people and
other dogs, is primarily the result of his level of socialization during puppyhood — the most important time in a
dog's life.