Every breed has a description of it's temperament listed in the standard set forth by the parent kennel club. The temperament is judged within the breed, not against other breeds. If we take four different, yet similar breeds, the Newfoundland, St. Bernard, Mastiff and Great Pyrenees, we will find differences in each. Though all four breeds are considered gentle giants, each has a different activity and aggression level. Comparing the four breeds is the same as comparing apples, oranges, cherries and grapes. They all taste good, yet different.
Keeping this in mind, we need to look at the breed and each litter separately. Within each litter, we will find different levels of temperament or activity. What we are looking for is a dog that is outgoing, friendly, as true to his breed as possible and attentive.
A good show dog will need to conform firstly to the breed standard (conformation, size, color, coat and movement, among others). These are the first aspects the judge will see and feel when he/she examines your dog. Temperament will be seen in the way he/she interacts with the judge and other dogs in the ring, according to the breed.
With all else in place, a dog's temperament can be adjusted through socialization and training.
I like to start training all my puppies from day one. Okay, don't shake your head, because training really does begin from the moment of birth. Every time you pick up a pup you are working with him in some way and the more you handle him the better the human bond. Puppies that are handled often become more confident and contented pets as well as good show dogs.
Once the litter is up and walking around, training takes on a new phase. Because we are already handling each puppy to check health and weight, I also take a few minutes to stack each dog so he gets used to the standing position. I use the command, "stand", then give him a treat. As he grows older, I make him hold the stance for a few seconds before giving him his treat. After a while, he will learn that standing is a good thing and something he will "want" to do. A little light grooming should be started at this time as well. Get him used to having you work on his paws by rubbing between the pads, brushing his coat with a soft brush meant for puppies, and touching the nails. By the time your puppy is three months old he should be willing to let you touch him anywhere on his body with a minimum of fuss.
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