Is a dog's temperament determined by its breed?
Why breed explains far less about a dog's character than people assume — and what actually does, according to Patrick Pageat and 30 years of practice.
Is a Labrador necessarily a friendly family dog with no aggression in him? Is a Pitbull necessarily a particularly aggressive dog?
Patrick Pageat wrote: "If nothing special is done with him, the Pitbull is a dog like any other (...) He is no different from any other dog (...) neither more nor less peaceful." (Patrick Pageat is a veterinary doctor and a doctor of natural sciences specializing in veterinary behavioral medicine for French pets. He is the founder and Scientific Director of IRSEA, the Institute for Research in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology, and created the clinical teaching program "Behavioral Medicine and Consultation" at the Alfort veterinary school.)
A breed is defined by morphology (large, small, hairy...) and by natural aptitudes — the tendency to instinctively perform the tasks the breed was selected for, such as hunting or guarding. But a breed absolutely does not determine temperament, which is unique to each individual.
Studies in this area estimate that heredity accounts for at most 20% of behavior, and even within that 20%, we don't know how much is attributable to genuine hereditary transmission and how much to puppies simply imitating their mother in the first weeks of life. What's more, behavior (fleeing a potential danger, reacting aggressively in a given situation...) should not be confused with temperament traits (being stubborn, sensitive...). Within a single litter, puppies — despite coming from the same parents and growing up in the same conditions — will develop extremely different temperaments.
Over my 20 years of professional practice, I have seen temperaments vary enormously within every breed. When clients who have owned several dogs of the same breed tell me about it, and I ask whether their dogs had the same character, the answer is invariably "no!"
It is therefore important not to rely on articles or books that describe a supposed temperament specific to a breed.
Stephan MairesseProfessional dog trainer & canine behaviorist, 30 years of experience across 16 countries. Certificat de capacité N°750108. Read his full background →
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