Character tests in breeding dog clubs in Switzerland - results of a questionnaire.

摘要

A questionnaire survey on the character test was conducted in 110 breed clubs of the Swiss Cynological Society during 2006. SCS declared character test for breeding approval mandatory from 2007 onwards. Questionnaire with 39 questions about breed club, character test, and judges was sent to the breed clubs (n=110). 87 valid questionnaires were returned and 433 randomly selected members of five breed clubs were asked about their opinions on character test. Results revealed that >2/3 of the responding clubs conducted character test, wherein 72% of all puppies came from clubs with character test. Exposure to optical and acoustical stimuli was tested most often, as well as contact with strangers, behaviour towards other dogs or defence drive were rarely tested. Reasons for failure in character test were fearfulness, aggression, gun shyness, nerve instability, and over-sharpness. 80-100% of all dogs passed character test in 63% of the breed clubs. Success rate was significantly lower when judges were regularly educated and tested. Quality control of the test or the judges was conducted in ~42% of all clubs. Majority of 85% had their expectations of character test were met, while 94% felt that their dogs were correctly assessed and 67% did not want to change the test.