Temperament Information

To be announced...

             O = Ideal American Alsatian Temperament

             O = Ember's Temperament

5 Weeks Old

3 Weeks Old

Temperament Test #2 - 2.5 to 3 weeks

What is the reaction to a dropped loud object?

Merlin was sleeping when the loud noise portion of the test happened.  He was startled awake (so he's not deaf) and looked toward the object for a long time he did not move.  However, when Lexi (his mom) entered the picture, he did turn his head away and towards the den only to look back again as if uncomfortable.  He then laid back down again, completely alert, but in no way traumatized.  Merlin receives a score of 8 for this portion of the test.

What is the reaction when pup is roughly pet?

Merlin was standing when the pet began.  He did not flinch, draw back or work to move away.  He was interested in going to where his mom, Lexi was standing.  The rough pet did not traumatize him in the least and he remained calm and quiet the entire time.  Melin receives a score of 9 for this portion of the test.

What is the reaction when pup is picked up?

Merlin was sitting up just beforehand.  He was picked up by the back of the scruff of his neck.  He was relaxed throughout the entirety of this section of the test.  He did not cry out or whimper or whine.  His body remained loose.  He moved to lie down when he was replaced back on solid ground.  Merlin receives a score of 9 for this portion of the test.

What is the reaction of this pup when it is turned over on its back?

Merlin curled his tail around the handler's arm and stiffed slightly upon the turn.  Once turned over, his relaxed his legs, but his tail remained curved around the handler's arm.  He looked directly into the eyes of the handler for a few moments.  Then, he looked back down to the litter below him.  At that point, he anticipated the turn back over and helped the handler right him.  He did not make any noise, did not open his mouth, or move to get down or trick the handler into turning him right side up.  Merlin receives a score of 7 for this portion of the test.

What is the reaction of this pup when it is placed in a wicker basket?

When placed in a cardboard box with a towel on the bottom, Merlin looked around without making a sound and sniffed at parts of the box.  He did not react with any indications of fear or anxiety.  He did not try to get out of the box.  Merlin receives a score of 9 for this part of the test.

What is the reaction of this pup when it is placed back away from siblings?

When placed back in the den away from his litter mates, Merlin sat right where he was placed and looked around.  He did not move to get up or look back up at the handler.  He simply sat quietly.  He did grumble some when being placed down, but other than that, he was quiet as can be.  Merlin receives a score of 9 for this portion of the test. 

Overall, this puppy receives a score of 8.5 on this temperament test.

2.5 Weeks Old

            Merlin comes to us from Missouri where he was born.  His mother is an AKC registered white German Shepherd Dog named Lexi.  His father is a first generation American Alsatian named Hemi.  Hemi's father (Merlin's grandfather) was a purebred giant Alaskan Malamute and Hemi's mother (Merlin's grandmother) was a truebred American Alsatian named Autumn.  Merlin himself is a beautiful silver wolf gray with deep black pigmentation and a large size.  He has a large head and a black muzzle.  Merlin is considered a first generation American Alsatian cross.  He will enter the American Alsatian lines in order to add overall size, keep the intelligent alertness and confidence in our breed.  We will be traveling to Missouri in late August 2015 in order to pick him up and bring him here to Vallecito Alsatians, LLC.  He will be under strict temperament observance as well as any signs of ill health at any time.  We will also require OFA hip/elbow testing due to his German Shepherd Dog background as well as initially check his heart for innocent heart murmurs which are occasionally experienced in pups coming from the giant Malamute.  If he passes all of these tests, we plan to breed him to a female from Sprinkle/Huck's litter coming this fall.  

2 Weeks Old

1 Week Old