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Mental Description of dog - a canine character test performed by           
Svenska Brukshundsklubben (the Swedish Working Dogs´ organisation) 

Mental Description test for dogs ("Mentalbeskrivning Hund," abbreviated "MH" , MH - test)

- This is a canine character test intended mainly for working dogs, such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Collies, Boxers etc. But dogs of other breeds can take the MH test as well, e.g. Swedish Vallhund.

MH test should be performed when the dog is 1-2 years old.

MH is mainly arranged for working dogs

For a rare breed, a breeder usually arranges a test by purchasing the test service from a local working dog club

 Eight is the maximum number of dogs that can be tested in one day, although it is possible to test up to ten dogs in the summer months. In winter the dogs performing at dusk are at a disadvantage, especially if the weather is inclement.

MH proves that the dog is mentally healthy.

For the owner of a dog that has passed the MH test, the test protocol is of great interest since it can improve training and demonstrates that the dog is in good mental health. The test provides a good overview of things the dog can and cannot tolerate.

When several siblings are tested, the results give the breeder a good picture of the standard of his or her breed as well as genetic traits.

Gun proof the dog?

The MH test ends with firing two gun shots in the woods from a distance (handgun, 9 mm ammunition) and then two shots at a nearer distance. If the dog becomes excessively nervous when the first shot is fired, the test is interrupted and the dog has failed the gun shot test.

Some dogs don't pass the gun shot test, although most dogs pass the general MH test, but with a lower score. If the dog flips out all together, it will fail the MH.

A dog who is gun proof will probably never experience problems with fireworks during New Year and other celebrations and will certainly be a good companion for a hunter.

Dogs of different breeds obtain different results. For each breed there is a published "profile" that describes how the dog normally reacts to certain aspects of the test.

The interest in MH testing is increasing in Sweden even among owners of companion dogs.

The test has been developed within the frames of Svenska Brukshundsklubben and in 1997 the amount of MH-tested dogs was well over 8000.

It's true that the owner of a dog - if he is a good handler - may influence the dog during his upbringing, but the test is designed to take this into account.

The test takes about 45 minutes and is so stressful to the dog that mental defects are likely to show up during testing. The test has fairly good reliability and validity.

A cognitive test for a human - under similar stress conditions - can tell a psychiatrist whether or not somebody is mentally sound.

The MH-test may not look difficult to us humans, but it is stressful for the dog.

 

The main test units

Within each test unit there are 2-3 partial tests.

  1. Contact with a stranger. Test leader takes the dog on the leash and goes away from the handler/owner, executes physical examination, mouth and teeth inspection. Thus, what is the dog's reaction to a stranger?

     

  2. Willingness to play. Test leader plays with a big white cloth, throws it to the handler (owner), invites the dog to play with the cloth, tugs the cloth, etc.

     

  3. Chasing. A big white cloth is drawn in a zigzag pattern at a distance of 24 feet (supposedly a rabbit or other prey). The dog is let loose and has to run and attack the object, then is called back to the handler.

     

  4. Ability to relax. Handler and dog stand still for three minutes. What does the dog do during the dull interval?

     

  5. Ability to collaborate with a stranger. A "witch" (clad in black) suddenly comes out of the woods at a distance of approximately 120 feet. She kneels, stands up, and kneels again, waving a big cloth, luring the dog to come to her.

     

  6. Reaction to the sudden appearance of a large object. A blue overall (XL) is rigged with ropes and suddenly appears when the handler and the dog are strolling along a path.

     

  7. Reaction to sounds. Hidden in the bushes, a chain is pulled over a corrugated iron-plate, creating a loud rattling sound.

     

  8. Reaction to an approaching threat. Ghosts. Two volunteers dressed in white sheets, with white plastic buckets on their heads and large black painted eyes, nose and mouth, move stereotypically forward three feet at the time. Wind should be away from the dog so that it cannot smell the human scent from the two ghosts.

    The "ghosts" approach until they are ten feet away and then turn their backs to the dog. The handler is then allowed to call the dog's name, to go up to the ghost and start talking to it and unmasks it. He can then do the same with the other ghost.

     

  9. Willingness to play. Has the dog’s willingness to play during units 1 to 7 faded or is he still alert? [Unit two is repeated].

     

  10. During the test, shots from a 9 mm pistol are fired. The shooter is about 100 feet away from the dog and is hidden in the woods. Ten seconds between each shot. Reaction?

    Playing tug the cloth. Dog is on a leash. Handler is passive. Two more shots are fired, but at a shorter distance. Ten seconds between each shot.