American Temperament Test Society

American Temperament Test Society
Name	American Temperament Test Society
Abbreviation	ATTS
Formation	1977
Type	Non-profit
Purpose	Canine temperament testing
Headquarters	United States
Region served	International

American Temperament Test Society

The American Temperament Test Society is an independent nonprofit organization that administers standardized temperament tests for domestic dogs. Founded in 1977 by enthusiasts and breeders, the society maintains protocols and publishes trial results used by breeders, handlers, and organizations across the United States and internationally. Its records are cited by breed clubs, veterinary organizations, and kennel registries when discussing behavioral traits, working suitability, or public safety considerations.

History

The society emerged during a period of renewed interest in breed preservation and behavioral assessment among groups such as the American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, The Kennel Club (UK), and specialty clubs including the German Shepherd Dog Club of America and American Kennel Club Rescue Network. Early founders consulted figures active in canine behavior like Konrad Lorenz, handlers associated with United States Police Canine Association, and breeders linked to the American Working Dog Club. The organization developed alongside contemporary movements in animal welfare represented by groups such as the American Humane Association and academic programs at institutions like Cornell University and University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Over decades, trials were held at venues connected to regional kennel clubs, agricultural fairs, and training centers used by associations such as the American Kennel Club Companion Events Committee and National Police Dog Association.

Purpose and Methodology

The society's stated purpose is to provide an objective measure of canine temperament for prospective owners, breeders, and organizations like the American Veterinary Medical Association, Humane Society of the United States, and breed registries. Methodology draws on principles from ethology advanced by scholars linked to Cambridge University and behaviorists who have collaborated with institutions such as University of California, Davis and Royal Veterinary College. Tests are designed to assess stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness in contexts similar to scenarios used by rescue groups including Best Friends Animal Society and service-dog programs affiliated with organizations such as Canine Companions for Independence and Guide Dogs for the Blind. The society coordinates with municipal agencies like the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and enforcement units associated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for clarity on public-safety implications.

Test Format and Scoring

Trials use a standardized sequence of stations influenced by protocols seen in competitions run by the American Kennel Club and working trials overseen by groups like the United States Police Canine Association. A pass/fail score is recorded based on reactions to stimuli that mirror encounters encountered in environments such as airports monitored by Transportation Security Administration canine teams, or search-and-rescue operations coordinated by FEMA-affiliated units. Judges trained in organizational guidelines—similar to certification regimes offered by International Association of Canine Professionals and continuing-education providers linked to American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior—evaluate traits and record outcomes that are later aggregated into statistics used by breed clubs like the Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. and specialty registries such as the Schnauzer Club of America.

Breed Participation and Statistics

The society publishes participation and pass-rate statistics that are frequently cited by major breed organizations including the American Kennel Club, Canadian Kennel Club, Australian National Kennel Council, and specialty groups like the German Shepherd Dog Club of America and Golden Retriever Club of America. High-profile breeds and lineages tracked in reports involve entries from owners affiliated with associations such as the Labrador Retriever Club, Inc., Border Collie Society of America, Rottweiler Club of America, American Boxer Club, Siberian Husky Club of America, and rarer breeds represented through organizations like the United Kennel Club and regional clubs connected to the Kennel Club (England). Data have been used in comparative studies with research institutions such as Ohio State University and University of Pennsylvania to analyze temperament trends across populations including working lines, show lines, and mixed-breed cohorts registered with municipal shelters and rescues.

Criticisms and Controversies

Critiques have been raised by academics at universities including University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh, and Cornell University about the ecological validity and reproducibility of snapshot assessments. Breed clubs such as the American Kennel Club and advocacy groups like the Humane Society of the United States have at times debated the applicability of pass/fail metrics for policy decisions, alongside municipal authorities like the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services and legal cases in jurisdictions referenced by organizations such as the American Bar Association. Concerns also mirror discussions in journals allied with institutions such as Wageningen University and professional bodies like the International Society for Applied Ethology regarding sample bias, handler effects, and cross-cultural interpretation of behaviors observed in trials.

Impact and Influence on Canine Assessment

The society's protocols have informed practices at service-dog programs run by Canine Companions for Independence and shelter assessment procedures adopted by networks like the ASPCA and Best Friends Animal Society. Breed stewardship groups including the Labrador Retriever Club, Inc., German Shepherd Dog Club of America, and working dog organizations such as the American Working Dog Club cite the society's data in breeding and placement discussions, while veterinary behaviorists associated with the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior reference its findings in clinical guidance. The society's long-running database provides a comparative framework used in collaborations with universities like Ohio State University and regulatory conversations involving bodies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Category:Canine organizations