The Pickwick Field Guide to Puppy Temperament Evaluation
Every puppy has a story waiting to be discovered.
Originally developed for our own breeding program, this beautifully illustrated field guide shares the philosophy and observation methods we use to better understand each puppy as an individual. Rather than focusing only on scores, the guide encourages careful observation, thoughtful interpretation, and lifelong learning.
Whether you're a breeder, trainer, or simply fascinated by canine behavior, we hope it inspires you to slow down, look more carefully, and enjoy the remarkable uniqueness of every puppy.
📖 Read the interactive FlipSnack edition (Link)
Every puppy has a story waiting to be discovered.
Originally developed for our own breeding program, this beautifully illustrated field guide shares the philosophy and observation methods we use to better understand each puppy as an individual. Rather than focusing only on scores, the guide encourages careful observation, thoughtful interpretation, and lifelong learning.
Whether you're a breeder, trainer, or simply fascinated by canine behavior, we hope it inspires you to slow down, look more carefully, and enjoy the remarkable uniqueness of every puppy.
📖 Read the interactive FlipSnack edition (Link)
Or read here (but the flip page e-book is much more satisfying).
Looking Back… and Looking Forward
Below are a few temperament evaluations from our early litters. Because we kept all three puppies from our Thrill Litter—our first litter with more than one puppy—we had the unique opportunity to compare their evaluations with the dogs they eventually became.
Looking back years later has been one of our greatest teachers.
The evaluations didn't simply reveal differences between the puppies; they revealed opportunities. Had we better understood how to apply what we were seeing, we could have tailored our socialization and training much more intentionally during those precious weeks before they left for their forever homes—or, in this case, remained with us.
For example, a puppy who appeared especially sensitive might have benefited from more carefully structured confidence-building experiences rather than extra coddling. A puppy who was naturally vocal and easily excited could have begun learning calm behaviors and self-control from an earlier age. A puppy who craved constant human interaction might have benefited from more planned periods of independence, helping build confidence while alone.
Over the years we've become much more intentional about using each puppy's evaluation to guide individualized enrichment and training. A puppy who depends heavily on littermates now enjoys additional one-on-one adventures. A puppy with a more independent or determined personality spends extra time playing cooperative training games such as It's Your Choice, helping develop thoughtful decision-making and impulse control. Each puppy receives experiences designed to strengthen the traits that need encouragement while nurturing the wonderful qualities already present.
Temperament evaluations don't define a puppy's future.
They help us understand where to begin.
Every puppy is born with a unique temperament. Our responsibility as breeders and owners is not to change who they are, but to thoughtfully nurture their development, helping each one become the very best version of themselves.
Below are a few temperament evaluations from our early litters. Because we kept all three puppies from our Thrill Litter—our first litter with more than one puppy—we had the unique opportunity to compare their evaluations with the dogs they eventually became.
Looking back years later has been one of our greatest teachers.
The evaluations didn't simply reveal differences between the puppies; they revealed opportunities. Had we better understood how to apply what we were seeing, we could have tailored our socialization and training much more intentionally during those precious weeks before they left for their forever homes—or, in this case, remained with us.
For example, a puppy who appeared especially sensitive might have benefited from more carefully structured confidence-building experiences rather than extra coddling. A puppy who was naturally vocal and easily excited could have begun learning calm behaviors and self-control from an earlier age. A puppy who craved constant human interaction might have benefited from more planned periods of independence, helping build confidence while alone.
Over the years we've become much more intentional about using each puppy's evaluation to guide individualized enrichment and training. A puppy who depends heavily on littermates now enjoys additional one-on-one adventures. A puppy with a more independent or determined personality spends extra time playing cooperative training games such as It's Your Choice, helping develop thoughtful decision-making and impulse control. Each puppy receives experiences designed to strengthen the traits that need encouragement while nurturing the wonderful qualities already present.
Temperament evaluations don't define a puppy's future.
They help us understand where to begin.
Every puppy is born with a unique temperament. Our responsibility as breeders and owners is not to change who they are, but to thoughtfully nurture their development, helping each one become the very best version of themselves.
This is a different test, Volhard Temperament Test (more common, easier and faster):
