MENTAL TEST - purpose/features involved

The purpose of the Mental Test is to examine a dog's behavior in a situation where it's nervous system is heavily stressed. Test results can be used to define dog's character, determine the dog's suitability to training, and of course it gives information for breeding, too.

The age limits for dog's participating are from 2 to 6 years. Mental tests are judged by two specially trained judges. In special cases the dog may be given a permission to re-try the test - if it has not qualified in the first test. But you are not allowed to try to "get better points" eventhough you find your certified dog "to act strangely" in the first try.

The following features are included in the Test:

CAPABILITY TO FUNCTION

is a feature, with which a dog is able to react correctly - without a fear - to real and imagined frightening situations and to do it without interrupting it's action.

TENDENCY TO AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR

Dog's tendency to aggressive reactions when irritated by a figurant (judge).

DESIRE FOR DEFENCE ACTION

Dog's tendency to defence it's flock (owner) and itself. The test is measuring tendency and willingness not skills to defence and attack.

DESIRE TO FIGHT

Dog's inheritable tendency to enjoy fighting (playing) and the use of it's jaws and muscles in this action.

NERVES

Dog's inherited calmness or nervousness, restlessness in a highly stressing situation. Includes also dog's reactions to shooting. This part includes at least two shots with a 9mm gun.

TEMPERAMENT

Temperament is understood as the ability to react fast and organized to changing environmental situations. Also dog's ability to quickly accommodate itself to rapidly changing situations.

MENTAL HARDNESS

Dog's mental hardness: How strongly the dog allows unpleasant surprises to affect his functions. How well a dog remembers unpleasant situations and how reluctant he is to face the same circumstances later on.

ACCESSIBILITY

Dog's attitude to a strange but friendly person.

All these properties are valued on a 6-degree scale from +3 (optimal) to -3 (worse).