Puppy Characteristics

[Kyoko]

I know we often discuss about how one puppy becomes fearful, causious, friendly, dominant, etc....

Yesterday, at the shelter I volunteer at, I had an opportunity to walk 2 siblings of 4 months old Shepard mix puppies.They were very different and I found that to be very interesting.

 

* Lilly ----- Both of her ears were up.

               Stood tall on all 4 legs

               Walked easy on the leash.

               Did not sniff around much, did not care about cars, people, etc..

               Was easy to put her collar on, and put back in the kennel.

               Took treat easy.

* Thelma -- Both of her ears were tucked back

                 Back legs were slightly bend as she was cowering

                 Pulled on the leash

                 Sniffed a lot and was skittish around people and cars during the walk.

                 Backed off when I tried to put her collar on.

                 Guarded her treat from Lilly.

 

They are litter mates, placed in the shelter together. So, may be it is not the lack of early socialization, trauma, etc.... that makes them fearful and causious? Or it is, and Thelma experienced something that Lilly didn't?

[Sandi]

Nature vs Nurture.  Which is it?

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

50/50

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Interesting.....different genetics among puppies from the same litter.  That would be my guess.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I would say just like people that genetics play a big part, but not all of course.  You can take 2 dogs from the same parents & relatively the same experiences and end up with very different personalities.  That would be nature.  However, you can take 2 puppies who seem to have similar personalities & if you really screw one of them up with bad experiences, & they end up with different personalities, then nuture obviously has a place in the equation.  That is why it is sooo important for all of us to do our best & select good breeders who really try to look for temperament of parents in addition to health.  Then your odds (although no guarantees of course - just like with people) are much better I'd say.  You can have 2 human parents who are very nice temperamented people & end up with a serial killer for a kid.  Much less likely, but it happens.  I just want to stack the odds in my favor.  IF I had a choice, I would adopt a baby from 2 parents who were mentally stable & nice people.  I probably would be scared to adopt a baby from parents who both were complete outlaws or had addiction problems, etc.  That baby might turn out GREAT (and probably would, with nuture), but I'd like to have nature AND nuture in my favor IF I HAVE A CHOICE and am spending my money.  Sorry for the ramble!

[Kyoko]

I would really have to agree on this one. When you put it into the situations with human, it really let you know how important it is to adopt from reputable place.

[Angie, Hudson and Lily]

I think it is 50/50 too.  When we went to pick out Lily, you could see that among her littermates. There was one puppy who was pretty shy and nervous. Some who were very active and extremely outgoing, and some who were in the middle (like Lily). We chose her because she enjoyed being around us, and would play, but wasn't super active. I also think some of the stress/trauma can happen early- just between littermates. Like a more bossy personality dominating the other puppies or a mother who isn't nuturing. Just like in people, some personalities are just more equipped to handle stress than others.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have two sisters, very close in age, and we have always been as different as night and day. Same parents, same upbringing, same early experiences. Those who have children also know how different they can be from one another. I suppose you could say that birth order and other factors may play a role, some might even say astrology, lol, but I just think it's the individual's nature, with dogs or with people. Events can help shape that, but I think the basic personality is born, not made.

[Kyoko]

Very true... Both of my daughters are totally different!!

[Carol Brand]

I think it is more nature than nurture.  In my experience temperament is hard wired.  It can be shaped but you are always dealing with certain constants.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I think you are born with some characteristics that cannot be changed.

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

I had 2 pugs - brothers from the same litter. They were raised together - both lived 13 years. They were totally opposite. Bugsy was very dominant - a bit pushy, took charge, and always looked after Rocky. Rocky was very passive, always at the bottom of the pack, even when new puppies joined the family. Looked to Bugsy to take care of things. If Bugsy needed a time out - which happened quite a bit in the earlier years, Rocky would go with him into the time out space rather than be by himself. Bugsy decided when Rocky could eat, when he could be pet....and all this was fine with Rocky.

[Kyoko]

Wow, interesting..... Almost seems like Len and Stimpy! ( remember that cartoon?)