Knowing how to choose a puppy is important if you’re considering adding a new furry friend to your family. 
Finding the perfect match for your lifestyle and personality depends on it. While colour and appearance are certainly important factors to consider when selecting a Miniature Schnauzer, it’s equally important to consider the individual personality of each pup. This is where puppy personality testing comes into play.
How To Choose A Puppy Using Personality Testing
Puppy personality testing is a process that helps potential pet owners better understand the temperament and personality traits of a puppy. By evaluating a puppy’s behavior and reactions in a variety of situations, such as when meeting new people or playing with toys, professionals can determine whether a particular dog is a good match for a particular person or family.
Indeed, choosing a puppy should not be left to the untrained. Most people have no clue on how to choose a puppy! Too many select based on criteria that have no bearing on if the dog will be a good fit for your family or not. For example, some people think the puppy that comes up to them is the right one. Others choose based on colour, or idiosyncracies such as curly hair or having a little white star on their chest.
As your breeder, we want you to end up with your perfect match puppy and are the ideal professional to ensure you go home with the right one.
One of the biggest benefits of puppy personality testing is that it can help ensure a successful adoption or purchase. A dog’s personality and temperament can greatly impact its behavior and relationship with its human family. For example, a high-energy dog may not be a good fit for someone who prefers a more relaxed lifestyle or who has had limited prior experience as a dog owner, while a shy or timid dog may struggle in a loud and busy household.
Learn more about how to choose a puppy here.
How to Choose A Puppy You Will Be Happy With For Life
In addition to helping ensure a successful adoption, puppy personality testing can also help reduce the likelihood of a dog being surrendered or returned to a shelter or breeder. When a person selects a Miniature Schnauzer [or indeed any dog] based solely on appearance or sex without considering its individual personality, there’s a higher chance the dog won’t be a good fit for their lifestyle or household. This can result in the dog being surrendered or returned to the shelter or breeder, which can be traumatic for the animal and costly for the owner.
By taking the time to properly evaluate a puppy’s personality, and the experience level, energy and family makeup of the homes available for the litter, the breeder can allocate to increase the chances of a successful and lasting adoption.
There are several different methods used to test a puppy’s personality. One common method is the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test, which evaluates a puppy’s response to various stimuli, including socialization, playfulness, and independence. Other tests may involve exposing the puppy to different sounds, sights, and smells to gauge their reaction and response. Dr Meg Howe at Miniature Schnauzer Australia is a PhD veterinarian and has used her knowledge and research skills to put together an exclusive set of tests recognised from scientific study findings to be the most predictive of future temperament.