THE APTITUDE TEST (APT) INCLUDING DOG’S MENTALITY ASSESSMENT (DMA)
(Compiled from Schedule 5(F), Regulation 9.1.5. and information for participants - Aptitude Subcommittee)
What is an Aptitude Test or DMA?
Aptitude Testing is essentially for Working Breeds, but can include some Hunting, Herding or Utility Breeds should any fanciers desire it. It tests steadiness of character, hunting drive, sociability, the ability to unwind rapidly after stressful situations, etc.
This test was developed by the Swedish military. At present it is widely used in Scandinavian countries for pet animals too and has been approved by KUSA as a mental testing method.
The minimum age for a dog on the day of his participation in the Aptitude Tests is twenty-two (22) months. The minimum age for a dog on the day of his participation in Dog Mentality Assessment is twelve (12) months.
Training is non-important, and dogs could be either trained or non-trained, as the dog simply reacts to a variety of stimuli, such as a mechanical rabbit, noises, shapes or
creatures. The dog is put under some mental, but no physical stress.
Between exercises it is allowed to unwind totally before commencement of the next exercise.
It is a useful medium for discovering the mental make-up of one’s breed or pets and can be of great use in any breeding programme.
What is involved?
The 12 tests involved in aptitude testing (APT) are:
The tests involved in the DMA version of the test (for younger dogs aged 12-21 months):
Each dog under scrutiny is graded for each of the following abilities:
The marks gained are calculated by multiplying the value given for each ability by the factor from the Judge’s key relating to the dog’s performance.
The judging of an Aptitude Test and/or Dog Mentality Assessment is carried out by three persons – the Test Leader and two Judges, all currently on the respective KUSA registers. At the completion of each Test the Test Leader will confer with the two Judges. Their joint conclusion will decide whether the dog qualifies for a certificate or not. They will also decide upon the award of ‘Excellent’ or not.
Once the above decisions are reached, the Test Leader will give, publicly, a brief account of the performance and announce the result. The officiating secretary shall, for a
dog which has passed the Test, issue the relevant KUSA Qualifying Certificate which is signed by the Test Leader and the Secretary.
Marks and Qualification:
The Aptitude Test and Dog Mentality Assessment Qualification is subject to the dog having obtained a minimum of (+) 100 marks out of a possible score ranging between (-) 300 and (+) 300, provided it does not fail in the ‘Steadiness to Gunshot’ Test.
Qualification as ‘Excellent’ (Ex) which applies only to Aptitude Test, is subject to the dog having obtained a minimum of (+) 200 marks, provided it does not fail in the ‘Steadiness to Gunshot’ Test.
Once qualified at an Aptitude Test a dog may not enter again. A dog who fails may be retested after a waiting period of at least three months. Only one re-test is permitted. Only one assessment is permitted for the Dog Mentality Assessment.
Although it is a non-mandatory test, the successful animal will receive a title, which will appear on their KUSA Registration Certificates. The relevant abbreviations to be used as an appendage to the dog’s registered name, are ‘APT’ for a dog which has been awarded an Aptitude Test Qualifying Certificate and “APT EX’ for a dog which has been awarded an Aptitude Test Qualifying Certificate graded ‘Excellent’.
What is an Aptitude Test or DMA?
Aptitude Testing is essentially for Working Breeds, but can include some Hunting, Herding or Utility Breeds should any fanciers desire it. It tests steadiness of character, hunting drive, sociability, the ability to unwind rapidly after stressful situations, etc.
This test was developed by the Swedish military. At present it is widely used in Scandinavian countries for pet animals too and has been approved by KUSA as a mental testing method.
The minimum age for a dog on the day of his participation in the Aptitude Tests is twenty-two (22) months. The minimum age for a dog on the day of his participation in Dog Mentality Assessment is twelve (12) months.
Training is non-important, and dogs could be either trained or non-trained, as the dog simply reacts to a variety of stimuli, such as a mechanical rabbit, noises, shapes or
creatures. The dog is put under some mental, but no physical stress.
Between exercises it is allowed to unwind totally before commencement of the next exercise.
It is a useful medium for discovering the mental make-up of one’s breed or pets and can be of great use in any breeding programme.
What is involved?
The 12 tests involved in aptitude testing (APT) are:
- Willingness to contact
- Willingness to play
- Hunting instinct (with small fake rabbit) / Drive to hunt small prey
- Hunting instinct (with large fake rabbit) / Drive to hunt big prey
- Attachment to its Pack Leader (owner)
- Attachment to Pack Leader, then a second time with a pop-up dummy (disturbance)
- Surprise Dummy pops up / Visual surprise
- Noise surprise / Sensitivity to noise
- Social Fighting behaviour (a Marshall challenges a dog to fight)
- Dominance test - sledge
- Defence Test - ghosts
- Steadiness to Gunshot
The tests involved in the DMA version of the test (for younger dogs aged 12-21 months):
- Willingness to contact
- Willingness to play
- Drive to Hunt/Chase response
- Activity
- Play at a distance
- Visual surprise
- Sensitivity to noise
- Defence
- Steadiness to Gunshot
Each dog under scrutiny is graded for each of the following abilities:
- Approachability Value 15
- Drive to Hunt Value 8
- Social Fighting Spirit Value 6
- Activity Level Value 10
- Level of Aggression Value 5
- Defence Value 5
- Nervous Constitution Value 35
- Toughness Value 8
- Eagerness Value 8
- Steadiness to Gunshot Pass orFail
The marks gained are calculated by multiplying the value given for each ability by the factor from the Judge’s key relating to the dog’s performance.
The judging of an Aptitude Test and/or Dog Mentality Assessment is carried out by three persons – the Test Leader and two Judges, all currently on the respective KUSA registers. At the completion of each Test the Test Leader will confer with the two Judges. Their joint conclusion will decide whether the dog qualifies for a certificate or not. They will also decide upon the award of ‘Excellent’ or not.
Once the above decisions are reached, the Test Leader will give, publicly, a brief account of the performance and announce the result. The officiating secretary shall, for a
dog which has passed the Test, issue the relevant KUSA Qualifying Certificate which is signed by the Test Leader and the Secretary.
Marks and Qualification:
The Aptitude Test and Dog Mentality Assessment Qualification is subject to the dog having obtained a minimum of (+) 100 marks out of a possible score ranging between (-) 300 and (+) 300, provided it does not fail in the ‘Steadiness to Gunshot’ Test.
Qualification as ‘Excellent’ (Ex) which applies only to Aptitude Test, is subject to the dog having obtained a minimum of (+) 200 marks, provided it does not fail in the ‘Steadiness to Gunshot’ Test.
Once qualified at an Aptitude Test a dog may not enter again. A dog who fails may be retested after a waiting period of at least three months. Only one re-test is permitted. Only one assessment is permitted for the Dog Mentality Assessment.
Although it is a non-mandatory test, the successful animal will receive a title, which will appear on their KUSA Registration Certificates. The relevant abbreviations to be used as an appendage to the dog’s registered name, are ‘APT’ for a dog which has been awarded an Aptitude Test Qualifying Certificate and “APT EX’ for a dog which has been awarded an Aptitude Test Qualifying Certificate graded ‘Excellent’.
Details of the different tests:
Willingness to Contact and to Play (Applies to both Apt & DMA)
Photo by Lucy Miller-Pio
A domestic dog, like his wild counterparts, is a social, pack orientated animal. Where the wild pack only consists of congeners, the domestic dog will easily consider humans as a part of his pack. That is the reason why the dog on test
will be introduced to a group of humans who, together with him, will walk and (indirectly) take part in the test. It is essential that a dog accept such a passive 'group' without fear or aggression. Once the 'group' has been formed at
the beginning of the test, it should not change by persons leaving or other persons joining in.
Based on the evidence that canines forge bonds and learn through playing, it is essential that a well-balanced dog respond to an invitation to play; definitely when this invitation comes from his pack leader and even when it comes from a stranger (test leader) who shows his good intentions.
will be introduced to a group of humans who, together with him, will walk and (indirectly) take part in the test. It is essential that a dog accept such a passive 'group' without fear or aggression. Once the 'group' has been formed at
the beginning of the test, it should not change by persons leaving or other persons joining in.
Based on the evidence that canines forge bonds and learn through playing, it is essential that a well-balanced dog respond to an invitation to play; definitely when this invitation comes from his pack leader and even when it comes from a stranger (test leader) who shows his good intentions.
The "Chase Response" or Drive to Pursue and to Catch Prey (Applies to both Apt & DMA)
Photo by Lauren Trebbin
This is probably the most fundamental drive which is essential for any well balanced canine. The functioning of the pack and the ability to be an active part of it depends on each of its member's drive to pursue and to catch prey. It is based on this natural instinct and the way that we can convert it for 'domesticated' purposes that we can teach our dog to retrieve, to track, to search, to do manwork and much more.
The trigger that we are going to use for this particular test is completely new to your dog. It is NOT a tennis ball, a retrieve dumbbell, a passing bicycle or running cat. Lorenz has proven that any fleeing prey 'instinctively' triggers the urge to pursue, to pounce upon, to grab, to kill and to carry. A dog with a good 'chase response' will perform this scenario to perfection.
The trigger that we are going to use for this particular test is completely new to your dog. It is NOT a tennis ball, a retrieve dumbbell, a passing bicycle or running cat. Lorenz has proven that any fleeing prey 'instinctively' triggers the urge to pursue, to pounce upon, to grab, to kill and to carry. A dog with a good 'chase response' will perform this scenario to perfection.
The Attachment towards the Pack Leader (Applies only to Apt)
Photo by Lauren Trebbin
It is obvious that a pack animal should be strongly attached to his pack leader and it must be prepared to join him in all circumstances. To evaluate this, you will be asked to run away through a series of ugly looking dummies while the test leader restrains your dog. You will have to call your dog's name once before you disappear to a hiding place. The jury will evaluate your dog's intensity, his possible fear and how he concentrates to solve the problem of joining his handler through the ugly looking targets.
Activity (Applies to DMA only)
In this test situation we want to observe the dog's action or activity when, in his surrounding, nothing occurs.
Distance Play (Applies to DMA only)
Photo by Lauren Trebbin
To evaluate the dog's tendency to activate himself when invited to play by an unknown person at a distance from his owner.
Sensitivity to a Surprise and to a Sudden Noise (Applies to both Apt & DMA)
Photo by Lucy Miller-Pio
These two items are very similar. The idea is to evaluate your dog's reaction to a 'jack in the box' and to a sudden 'loud bang'. Although a quick dodging reaction is acceptable in both cases, it is essential that the dog overcome this early
emotion to go and investigate what it is all about.
emotion to go and investigate what it is all about.
Fighting Behaviour towards the Ugly Man (Applies to Apt only)
Photo by Lauren Trebbin
It is our intention to evaluate the dog's 'reactive aggression' in a situation where he is confronted with alternate 'threat' and 'submission' from the part of a marshal (ugly man). All details of the disguise and the actions undertaken by the ugly man, are based on canine psychology, and are aimed to establish if the dog is prepared to fight or is inclined to flee. The intensity of his reaction, the demonstration of aggressiveness, eventual flight tendency and the way in which your dog will approach the ugly man once he has stopped his action, will define his social fighting spirit.
Dominance (Applies to Apt only)
Photo by Lauren Trebbin
This is a quality which is required from each pack leader. It is normal for a steady dog to run for higher office. Moreover, it is essential that in a Working Dog breeding program emphasis be laid on this type of dog. If this 'dominance' is not infused on a regular basis one will end up with a multitude of Red Indians without chiefs. For this particular test we will use an imposing and arrogant staring torso, mounted on a sledge, which will move in an uninterrupted manner straight towards its opponent. As a reaction we want to see imposing behaviour and aggressiveness, no flight tendency and a frank investigation towards the dummy once it stands still.
Defensive Behaviour (Applies to both Apt and DMA)
Photo by Jürgen Trebbin
Two marshals disguised as white ghosts will, without any specific threat, approach against the wind towards the dog. Ideally the dog should react with a certain amount of threatening behaviour, abstain from flight tendency and, once released, contact the disguised marshals with careful checking. This is the attitude of a dog which is prepared to defend you.
Sensitivity to the Sound of a Gunshot (Applies to both Apt and DMA)
A poor attitude in this item has generally been accepted as disqualifying in any canine character test. It has been proven that any domestic dog which is genetically ‘gun-shy’ lacks nervous steadiness. It is extremely important that you play very actively with your dog while this test is carried out and that you continue to play after the first hot has been fired. We want to see that the dog continues playing, or immediately regains his activity.