Introduction to tests

 

NATTA is respected and sanctioned by dog organizations across the continent. Any dog group (club or kennel) can arrange to host a temperament test. The testing program embraces both purebred and mixed-breed dogs and is fun, rewarding, and useful. These tests can be 1 or 2 days depending on the number of dogs to be tested.

 

 

NATTA tests are open to any breed that is registered, or that meets the requirements for registration, by any recognized breed or kennel club as listed in the by-laws of the NATTA.

In all tests sponsored by the NATTA, dogs will not compete against each other for placements or prizes, but against a specified standard.

 

Five categories to participate in

Canine Partnership (CP),  Working Companion Certification (WCC), Working Aptitude Certification (WAC), Working Dog Excellent ( WCX), Champion Working Performance Dog (CHWPD)

 

     ê    A temperament test is a set of evaluations/tests that is designed to help evaluate the interest, aptitude, learning ability, and personality of a dog.

 ê   Temperament can be defined as an individual's way of behaving or reacting to specific situations. Reactions can include fear, shyness, aggressiveness, curiosity, courage and willingness.

 ê   Whether you are rescuing a dog or buying a puppy from a breeder, temperament is the most important factor to consider when making your choice.

 ê   Temperament is shaped through genetics and life experiences and the test focuses on and measures many aspects of temperament such as stability, fearfulness, aggressiveness, and sociability as well as the dog's instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and response in the face of a threat.

         temperament can be readily trained and will be a dependable worker in difficult situations. A dog with good instincts and a poor temperament will be difficult to train and frequently unreliable in difficult situations.

 ê   Temperament manifests itself in many ways, including: reaction to gunfire, reaction to strangers, crowds, situations, objects, interactions with the handler and manner of handling problem solving.

 ê   The purpose of the Working Aptitude Evaluation, in place for some time in Europe, is to help determine if your breed/s of dog has the aptitude to do the type of work for which the breed was intended.

 ê  The purpose of the Paws and Partners test is to ensure that the dog can be a respected member of the community because it is trained and conditioned to act mannerly at home, in public places and in the presence of other dogs.

The many tests are designed for the betterment of all breeds of dogs and take into consideration each breed's inherent tendencies.