[ SHOWGSD-L ] Temperament: "man made" or genetics
- From: Barbara Galasso <uwish@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2005 18:51:46 -0500
A breeder friend and I were talking about temperament of the GSD today.
We were talking about what correct temperament was according to the
standard looking for an approachable, but aloof personality. We talked
about the outgoing "Golden Retriever" personality, the spooks, and then
the aggressive and fear biters. Quite a range of temperaments, I'd say.
I believe that a dog's temperament is determined by two factors. #1 -
his genetics, his parents and grandparents having a great deal of
influence on his temperament. And #2, I also believe environment plays
a big role in our dogs personalities as well. If it's a genetic problem
and you sell the dog into a good home, I believe he will still have a
tendency to be what his genetics have dictated him to be. I believe we
have all owned at one time or another different degrees of the above
named temperaments. Some of the problem dogs you can work with and some
can be trained to behave, or stand for examination. But genetically
they are born to be what they were meant to be and will pass this along
to their progeny.
On the other hand, a puppy can be born with a good temperament and put
it into a bad home, one who locks it up in a crate or kennel all day,
doesn't socialize it, mistreats him by abusing him and he can become shy
or suspicious of people. Or they may still like people, but are noise
or object shy. I don't think (but, I'm not sure), that if you breed
this animal that he will pass along a shy temperament if his was induced
by a bad environment.
I think when the public thinks of our GSD's as having mean and bad
dispositions, they are not aware of how some of these dogs have been
raised. I also know first hand that a dog can be born with a love of
people and having been neglected, still love people. Also know of dogs
who have been brought up in a kennel environment and haven't been
anywhere and you take them and put them in a show and they're fine. Go
figure. "Man made" or genetics? Best, Barbara Galasso
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