Dog temperament defined

But what exactly is temperament? There are various definitions of temperament viewed from different angles, some of which include:

“The sum total of all inborn and acquired physical and mental traits and talents which determines, forms and regulates behavior in the environment”

“The general attitude a dog has towards other animals and people.”

“Temperament is inherited but can be modified or enhanced by the environment.”

 “The dog’s suitability for a specific task or function; there is no good or bad temperaments, only suitable and unsuitable ones.”

“The physical and mental characteristics of an individual dog, made evident through its reaction to stimuli in its environment.”

From the above definitions it can be said that a dog’s temperament is:

• Primarily a function of the dog’s genetic makeup.
• That the temperament is inherited and therefore fixed at the moment of conception and cannot be altered, eliminated or transformed to another type during the lifetime of the dog.
• Socialization, environment and training can help to modify the expression of a dog’s temperament but they cannot change nor eliminate it. A dog cannot be separated from the temperament with which it was born and will die with it.

Shih Tzu Temperament: Find Out Shih Tzu’s Natural Disposition

http://www.aboutdogfacts.com/shih-tzu-temperament/

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