How does it differ from a temperament test?
A temperament test measures reactions to isolated stimuli. A character test tries to describe stable traits across several dimensions and produces a profile, not a grade.
Aptitude and character tests
Character Test
Deeper than a temperament test: it looks not only at isolated reactions but tries to describe the dog's stable traits - courage, sociability, threshold, willingness to cooperate.
About the discipline
What a character test is
Character tests were developed mainly by the Nordic kennel organisations and by working breed clubs, as a selection tool for breeding.
Unlike a temperament test, which measures reactions to isolated stimuli, a character test tries to build a profile: how courageous, how sociable, how quickly the dog activates and how quickly it settles.
The result is not a simple pass or fail but a chart with values across several dimensions. Serious breeders use it to avoid concentrating problematic traits within a line.
How it works in practice
Dimensions commonly assessed
- sociability towards strangers
- courage in the face of an unusual situation
- the threshold at which the dog reacts
- the intensity of the reaction
- the speed of return to calm
- willingness to cooperate with the handler
- interest in play and in prey
Which dogs it suits
- dogs used in breeding programmes
- working breeds, as a selection tool
- owners curious about their dog's real profile
What you need
- nothing special
- a trained assessor and a standardised course
- the dog's papers, at official tests
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Character Test
Does the result change over time?
The core traits are relatively stable, but experience and age influence the outcome. Some programmes therefore recommend retesting after a few years.
Is it compulsory for breeding?
It depends on the club and the breed. Some organisations require it before a dog can be registered for breeding, others merely recommend it.
How do I prepare for one?
In practice you do not - and that is the point. What you can do in the preceding months is proper socialisation and gradual exposure to varied environments, which helps the dog anyway. Rehearsing the specific situations would distort the result and make it useless for its purpose, which is selection.
From the same category
Related sports
Companion Dog Tests
Assessments for family dogs.
Instinct Tests
Checking natural aptitudes for herding, hunting or water.
APWA-ICofA
A personality and welfare assessment carried out by an ethologist.
Temperament Test
Assessing a dog's stability and reactions.
We do not run Character Test
This page is informational. We work in mantrailing, search and rescue and preparation for the TSAC and BH exams - but if you want an honest opinion on what would suit your dog, write to us anytime.