Trait & Temperament Testing | Bluevale Meadows

A thoughtful, intentional approach to matching puppies with families

~ Located Near Wingham, On ~

Trait & Temperament Testing

At Bluevale Meadows, temperament isn’t just something we “check off.” It’s the heart of how we place our puppies. As a certified Puppy Evaluator, I’ve learned that every puppy has their own natural tendencies, and every family has their own rhythm, needs, and lifestyle. Matching those two things well is one of the most important parts of responsible breeding.

This is why we temperament test each litter at seven weeks of age. Families receive videos and scorecards so they can see the results firsthand — not just take my word for it. My goal is always the same: to help each puppy land in the home where they will thrive for their entire lifetime.

What We Evaluate at Seven Weeks

Each puppy is assessed individually, away from the influence of their littermates. We look at a range of traits, including:

• human focus
• human assertiveness
• energy level
• prey/play drive
• sight sensitivity
• sound sensitivity
• dog assertiveness
• tenderheartedness
• confidence
• motivation/workability
• nerve strength & resiliency
• touch tolerance

Some traits are obvious long before testing — like a puppy who constantly uses their nose and shows a strong scent drive — but the structured evaluation gives us a clear, consistent picture of who each puppy is on their own.

Why Temperament Matters

Not every puppy fits every home, and that’s not a bad thing — it’s simply reality. A puppy who would be perfect for a jogger may overwhelm a quiet, retired couple. A puppy who thrives on human interaction may struggle in a home where people are gone to work or school during the day. A tenderhearted puppy may wilt in a loud, chaotic environment, while a confident, resilient puppy may barely notice.

Below are real‑life examples that reflect what I see every day.

Active, Outdoorsy Families

These families often thrive with a puppy who has higher energy, strong play/prey drive, and enthusiasm for movement.
A couch‑potato puppy won’t enjoy long hikes or active weekends — and an energetic puppy will feel frustrated in a low‑activity home.

Golden‑Age Clients or Quieter Homes

These homes often do best with puppies who have polite human assertiveness, gentle greeting styles, and lower energy.
A puppy who barrels into people with enthusiasm may accidentally knock someone over. A calmer puppy who comes to sit politely beside a person for affection is a much better fit.

Homes With Toddlers or Young Children

These families need puppies with lower prey/play drive, gentle touch tolerance, and softer human assertiveness.
A high prey/play drive puppy sees fast‑moving toddlers as a game of chase and tackle. Cute at 8 weeks — not cute at 10 months when the puppy outweighs the child.

Homes With Birds or Small Pets

These homes need puppies with low prey drive and low sight sensitivity.
A puppy who is nervous about things overhead may panic around a free‑flying bird. A puppy with high prey drive may see that bird as something to chase.

Service or Therapy Prospects

These puppies need high human focus, strong motivation/workability, stable nerves, and resilience.
A puppy who is easily startled, highly tenderhearted, or independent in their thinking may struggle with the demands of service work.

Busy, Noisy Households

These homes need puppies who are confident, sound‑stable, and not easily overwhelmed.
A sound‑sensitive puppy may struggle in a home with loud toys, dropped items, or sudden bursts of noise, retreating often to find quiet. A confident puppy barely notices and continues on happily.

Quiet Homes or Families Gone During the Day

These homes do best with puppies who are more independent, comfortable entertaining themselves, and lower in human‑interaction needs.
A puppy who craves constant engagement will struggle if left alone for long stretches.

Families With Senior Pets

These homes need puppies who are lower energy, respectful in play, and gentle in assertiveness.
A high‑energy puppy can overwhelm an older dog. A calmer puppy allows the senior pet to maintain comfort and dignity.

Joggers or Highly Active Individuals

These homes thrive with puppies who have higher energy, enjoy movement, and have strong stamina.
A low‑energy puppy will find this lifestyle exhausting and stressful.

Medical Alert or Scent‑Based Work

These puppies often show strong scent drive and natural tracking behaviour.
They may pull on a gentle stroll, but for someone needing scent work, they’re perfect.

Families Wanting an “Easy to Train” Puppy

These families need puppies who are high in workability, eager to please, and motivated.
These pups respond quickly to praise, enjoy learning new things, and are happy to follow your lead — especially when the training is clear and consistent. They’re ideal for first‑time owners or families who want a dog that fits easily into daily routines.

A “thinker” puppy isn’t stubborn — they simply want to understand why you’re asking something. They’re brilliant, but not always ideal for people who want quick, straightforward training. They do best with owners who enjoy the challenge and creativity of working with a dog who asks questions before giving answers.

Families Wanting a Quiet, Stay‑At‑Home Companion

These homes need puppies who enjoy calm environments and don’t require intense physical or mental stimulation.
A high‑energy, scent‑driven puppy will be miserable with one daily walk. A calmer puppy will thrive.

How We Use the Results to Match Puppies With Families

After testing, I provide each family with:

• videos of the evaluations
• scorecards
• a personalized list of puppies who best match their lifestyle
• explanations for why certain puppies may not be ideal fits

This isn’t about limiting choice — it’s about setting families and puppies up for lifelong success.
You can prefer a gender or colour, but temperament is what determines whether a dog will truly fit your life.

A Responsible Breeder’s Promise

I never wish to see one of our puppies end up in a shelter. If life changes — divorce, illness, loss, or anything unexpected — I will always take back any Bluevale Meadows dog, at any age, for any reason.

My goal is to prevent mismatches before they happen. Many dogs are surrendered simply because their natural temperament didn’t match the home they were placed in. Thoughtful evaluation and matching helps avoid that heartbreak.

Enjoy the Whole Litter as They Grow

It’s natural to feel drawn to certain puppies early on, but I encourage families to enjoy the entire litter. Sometimes the puppy who ends up being the perfect match isn’t the one you expected — and that’s part of the magic.

I’ve seen families fixate on one puppy early, only to discover during testing that another puppy is the one who truly fits their life. When they stay open, they get to enjoy the whole journey rather than looking back later to “rewatch” the puppy they ultimately chose.