03/13/2026
This is spot on! I love temperament testing but spending time with the puppies parents should be something you do also!
We saw a great article from the AKC recently about puppy temperament testing, and it’s a topic people ask us about often.
Temperament tests done around 7–8 weeks can give a small snapshot of a puppy in that moment — but they don’t define the dog that puppy will become.
One thing we strongly agree with in the article is that genetics and early development matter, but temperament is also shaped heavily by environment and experiences as the puppy grows.
In our experience, the right litter really matters. The temperament of the parents and the genetics behind the litter lay the foundation.
With decades of dog training experience, we spend a lot of time observing our litters and helping match the right puppy with the right family. And we’ve seen firsthand how much the months after a puppy goes home — training, structure, and exposure — shape the adult dog.
The test at 7–8 weeks is just one small moment.
Nature gives the foundation.
Nurture builds the dog.
AKC article:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/puppy-temperament-tests/