Trying to start a new, hopefully, non combative thread here ~~~

Most of us use the word Temperament when we are talking about our dogs character or disposition - anyone like to comment on their understanding the differences between the meanings of these words when they relate to our dogs?

Christine

To me disposition is part of the dogs or humans character. If the being has a forward outgoing disposition then it has a forward outgoing character. Have a feeling I'm not on your wave lenght or not understood what you are getting at.
Ja:)kie

I see temperament and character as 2 different things, my GSP is a really fun loving, full of life dog, but his temperament with people he doesn't know can be very iffy if they try to approach him, he's improved a lot since we've had him but can still be a bit unpredictable at times. The JR/PBGV is very laid back and happy go lucky, but also temperament wise can be very stroppy if he doesn't get his own way. Ingrid

Our dogs character or disposition is it's natural personality/tendency to behave in a certain way.
Temperament is partly genetic makeup and partly the way the dog is raised which can have major influences over it's character or disposition.

Yes I think temperament is not the same as disposition but that charactor & dispostion are much the same thing. Ja:)kie

I would say temperament can be rated ie good, bad, unpredictable etc and refers to the temper of the dog where as character is describing the particular characteristics of a dog ie outgoing, laidback, cheeky, naughty, faithful, scatty . For instance my flatcoat has a good temperament and her character is faithful and obedient where although my basset has a good temperament too her character is stubborn, naughty but humerous.
Ted

hi,
i see characteristics, being i.e, g.s.d guarding, herding, likes to be with it's family to watch over them.hounds, hunting, some not the most obiedient on the recall etc, great danes love to lean on you, will include themselves in what you do.all breeds have there sort of characteristics.the temprement is very close to the above things, you have nurture v nature thing. i think if the nurture has not been done with the breeder new owner then nature will kick in then the characteristics will come into force and some of the more instinctive characteristics become evident, does that make any sense, i know what i mean, regards tina

Yesterday, hubby, dogs, and I were at Tongeren, Bel. Every Sunday, the entire half of the town turns into this huge antique market. Hundreds of people and their dogs were perusing stuff along streets, in the market place, and inside a couple of large halls.

I'd watch other dogs just to see what they were up to. This was to head off any possible "confrontations" -- plus it was fun to see how others deal with their "little" difficulties with their dogs.

I ended up sitting in a small cafe after hubby bought a small anvil :rolleyes: and wanted to take it back to the car. Then we had lunch. It seemed that there were examples of every breed walking by us (except no dobies or rotties --odd )

All dogs had good temperaments. Crowded, getting walked on, pushed along, running into other dogs..... no biting or fights occured. Amazing since many owners used extend-a-leashes and their dogs were getting entangled with others. grr. :rolleyes:

But the real characters were all of the different Jack Russell types--varieties of sizes, that's for sure. They were the ones most likely to be pulling to the furthest extent of their leashes towards other dogs. The "Euro lean" as we call it :) The minor scuffles seemed to center around them. They personified brashness. Even the large Retrievers and Spaniels seemed to not like them as much. (Those were probably the most easy going dogs around)

It just seemed the the JRT's natures to be inquisitive and challenging other dogs AND people's spaces :rolleyes: This isn't to say that their owners were not keeping them in hand. They worked hard at paying attention to what their dogs were doing. I thought it was rather humourous and started predicting what was going to happen when two dogs would meet :D :D
One JRT really got "told off" by a "pair" Westie and a Scottie, dressed to the nines, but working together to communicate their displeasure :D :D Interesting, the only dogs to consistently ignore the JRT's were the Yorkies and Cockers. Hmmm.

But I've pretty much come to the conclusion that if you want a calm obediant dog, the JRT is not for you :D :D :D It's the nature of their breed characteristics to be the character of the dog world :)

It was fun to watch --- better than TV :D :D :D :rolleyes:

Not really sure Ive got the drift of the question.

I would have thought that if for instance the character of the dog was cheeky. Then the dogs disposition would be cheeky as it would mean the dog is predisposed to being a cheeky. This would also be true of temperament. (although Im probably wrong)
However a dog that is cheeky in the home or familiar company may not be like that in a diferent environment. therfor its whole temperament/disposition/character may change from situation to situation.

Im not sure if Im on the right track here, I would have thought that all three words meant the same or similar.

All the best Mick.

All three words are similar but, temperament is generally not a positive word (temper, temperamental) where as character and disposition, when described more fully, can be.

I agree it is a very vague question but it is one of those little things that can mean different things to different people which is why I asked it :-)

Christine

Temper is usually associated when not prefixed with "good" or "bad" with bad - but any living creature, human or animal can be good or bad tempered.

My boys are both good tempered - and yes I associate that with Temperament - they both have good sound temperaments - but as you may have seen Jasper has a nervous disposition and an excitable character. Buddy on the other hand is so laid back he is horizontal - quite literally much of the time so I would describe Buddy's character and dispposition as calm and happy.

Pam n the boys

Here's my assessment of Holly's temperament/character.

Temperament
Slightly nervous, reserved with strangers, yet very loving with those she's met before. Can be aggressive when she feels threatened, but backs down when told/challenged. Very tollerant of clumsy hands (children) and gentle with the elderly.

Character
She's potty :D Holly is very loving and loves to be involved in the family activites. She'll play with the children for hours and loves to chase a kite. She's a sneaky little thing who's perfected the art of convincing daddy that mummy hasn't fed her that morning, even though she's just finished her breakfast :D

In my mind temperament is related to aggression/soundness and character relates to the little quirks and facial expressions.

Fiona
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