UBSDA Character Test

French Behaviour Test For The National Breeding Show

The test comprises three parts:
  1. Sociability with man
  2. Resistance to acoustic stress,
  3. A biting test to appraise the defensive instinct and steadiness of character.

Sociability

To be sociable with man is the basic condition for the Belgian Shepherd Dog to be accepted in a society which considers that the dog is part and parcel of the family cell.

Resistance To Acoustic Stress

Dogs now take a more and more important part in the active life of their masters. Leisure, sports, travel, holidays are all occasions when their ability to cope with sudden various types of noise will be tested. A gunshot represents a synthesis of these noises and is easy to be put into effect.

Defense Instinct & Steadiness Of Character

Protector of his master, his master’s family and property, the Belgian Shepherd Dog must nevertheless be stable and with a well-balanced character as required in the first part of the test.

This is why sporting "bitingness" in a dog which likes to hold the armguard should not be confused with an aggressive reaction, a dangerous defensive behaviour to be utterly rejected when selecting dogs.

This basic difference can be determined by stroking the dog during the hold. A stable dog will ignore the stroking hand and will hold on whilst an aggressive dog will release the hold to snap at the hand.

Threatening the dog (with the hand or cane) enables the courage and fighting spirit of the dog to be tested during the hold. The tester can at this time judge whether the dog’s growls indicate if it is reliable or not.

Test Program

1st Part
The tester comes up to the dog quite naturally, talks briefly to its master and strokes the dog, which should show no fear. If the dog refuses to be stroked by becoming aggressive, this is allowed but it will then have to prove stable by being successful in the biting test.

2nd Part
First shot fired at a distance of 15 metres, the standing dog being held on a long and slack leash. If the dog is totally indifferent to this first shot or, on the contrary, it is obviously frightened, it will not be necessary to fire a second shot.

Second shot fired at 15 metres only for dogs which are surprised by the first shot and must recover in the following seconds in order to pass the test.

Third shot fired exceptionally at a distance of ten metres, particularly for dogs whose reaction to the first two shots is dubious and to allow the jury to confirm their opinion.

A dog revealing fear by taking refuge against its master or lying down or escaping shall be eliminated from this trial.

3rd Part (called "championship test")
Only for dogs trained for this optional test. Nevertheless male Belgian Shepherd Dog having won the Championship Certificates or Reserve CC’s must pass this test for the French Championship Title to be ratified (to become official).

The tester excites the dog with the cane and openly shows it the canvas. If it takes hold of it with determination, he gently moves his hand to stroke its head. The tester may make sure of the dog’s natural stability by goading it, which a well balanced dog should ignore. According to its reaction, the dog will be awarded the distinction "excellent" or "excellent plus".

A dog refusing to hold its bite for about ten seconds, which has an aggressive reaction or self defensive attitude shall be eliminated from this test.

Application for Participation and Results

The owners of males having won championship CC’S or RCC’s must apply for their dog to go through this "Championship Test". For females this third test is optional, and the owners must indicate that their bitches having won championship CC's or RCC's need to participate in the "Simple Test" (Parts 1 and 2) for their title to be ratified. Owners of females can request to participate in Part 3.

As soon as they leave the test ring, the owners will be given a document signifying the result. For dogs having passed the test, cards will be delivered at the secretary’s office at the begining of the afternoon.

Dogs having satisfied the judges in at least the first two parts of the test (simple test) will be allowed to appear before the committee selecting recommended entries.

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