We DON'T Temperament Test... Here's Why!

We don’t temperament test, here’s why!
We’ve been raising and breeding dogs for a collective 25 years, with 11 of those years focused specifically on Standard Poodles. Long before temperament testing became a trend, we were already doing the work to carefully select our pairings and being very intentional about who stays in our program.
We do not (and will not) breed dogs that are fearful, aggressive, overly nervous, hyper, or otherwise not a fit for our goals. We’ve spayed or neutered dogs that were absolutely beautiful and had everything going for them except the right temperament. Beyond that, we carefully evaluate health, confidence, trainability, and stability because temperament isn’t just a personality trait, it’s a combination of genetics, early experiences, and ongoing guidance.

Yes, genetics play a role, but how a puppy is raised matters just as much (if not more). In many ways, your puppy is a mirror of you, your training, and the traits you want you puppy to know (or not know). Early socialization is key: we handle our puppies gently, expose them to normal household sounds, as well as noise desensitization with sounds like thunderstorms, fire trucks, gun shots, etc, they meet people of all ages, begin early grooming, and experience a variety of safe experiences. These exposures set the foundation for confident, adaptable adult dogs.
For example, I want my dogs to love the river and the water. So as soon as they’re fully vaccinated, I take them straight to the water and every single one I’ve introduced that way has absolutely loved it. On the flip side, a couple of puppies who missed early exposure due to cold Missouri winters either don’t like it or are fine with it, but they don’t have the same natural enthusiasm. Experiences matter.
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Temperament testing at 7–8 weeks of age is simply a snapshot in time, not a guarantee of future behavior. While these tests can offer insight into a puppy’s personality at that moment, temperament can change significantly as a dog matures. Training, life experiences, environment, socialization, or even the lack of these, play a major role in shaping who that puppy becomes as an adult. The same puppy tested at 8 weeks may present very differently at 2 years old. That’s why, instead of relying on a standardized test, we focus on creating stable, confident puppies through intentional breeding and thoughtful early life experiences.
Due to our philosophy, we allow families to make their puppy picks between birth and 7 days old (assuming all puppies are thriving). In all my years of doing this, we’ve never had an issue with that approach. 
Ultimately, raising a happy, confident dog is a partnership between the breeder, the puppy, and the family. By choosing a puppy from a program that prioritizes careful selection and early enrichment, you’re setting your new companion up for a lifetime of success!