GERMAN SHEPHERDS
Puppies

BESS VOM SEVEN OAKS
​(Orange Girl)

❤︎ About BESS (Orange Girl) ❤︎

Bess is a stunning sable female with optimum pigmentation, good bone structure and a confident spirit. SG Max vom Haus Cismar, her SIRE, is a large, powerful dark sable whose accomplishments are a testament to his soundness both in body and mind. Her dam, Xara Venusiña Sopka, ZVV1, is a stunning, large black sable with a sweet-natured spirit, yet watchful to alert when necessary. 

Bess is well rounded, kind-hearted and a strong “investigator.” She gave a natural “bark alert” and a “sit” during her scent detection evaluation. Her proven pedigree combines the incredible working lines known to produce rock-solid character, temperament and very good structure.

General Temperament and scent detection results...

TOUCH/FEEL: Well adapted to grass, slick floor, gravel and black rubber mats. Bess was first to go directly into both kiddie pools with and without water, unassisted and liked it.
NOISE: Well acclimated to noises like aluminum pan dropping to ground, bubble wrap popping, TV, radio, sweeping floor, and fans.
OTHER OBJECTS: Upside down metal trash can lid (perfectly fearless to balance and play on it) and plastic bottle with and without rocks (fearless)
SCENT DETECTION: Immediately interested in box of scents when it was first opened. Shoe from deceased: approached, sniffed and backed away cautiously; Placenta: approached, sniffed, backed up, sat and gave a bark alert (3 times); Blood: Came, sniffed, backed up and sat then left, came back cautiously and sat again. Bess was very intense on ALL odors and gave a natural sit/bark alert upon detection!
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Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test (PAT) Results...

Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test Results
At exactly seven weeks (day 49), the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test (PAT) was administered for the entire litter. They were individually taken into a living room where they had never been before with all new surroundings and smells. As anticipated, the entire litter scored a "1" for sight sensitivity which is most desirable in working line German Shepherds bred for work and home/family protection. Since the litter is very "scent-oriented," most pups investigated the area thoroughly - a desirable trait in a working/tracking dog - before approaching the tester for the first two tests - social attraction and following. We were very pleased with the results for this litter!  Utilizing the results from these tests enables us to help you make an informed decision regarding which puppy is the best match for you and your family. 

Here’s a brief look at Bess’ PAT scores and what they mean:
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SOCIAL ATTRACTION = 3 Came readily, tail up. Degree of social attraction, confidence or dependence.
FOLLOWING = 3 Followed hesitantly, tail up wagging. Degree of following attraction. Not following indicates independence.
RESTRAINT = 2 Struggled fiercely, flailed when rolled on back and held for 30 seconds. (Degree of dominant or submissive tendency. How it accept stress when scale and/or physically dominated).
SOCIAL DOMINANCE = 3 Cuddled up to tester and tried to lick face away after being restrained. (Degree of acceptance of social dominance; pup may try to dominate by jumping and nipping or it is independent and walks away.
ELEVATION DOMINANCE = 2 Calm at first then struggled fiercely whilst cradled under belly and elevated off the floor for 30 seconds. (Degree of accepting dominance while in position of no control).
RETRIEVING = 3 Chases object (crumpled paper) and returns with object to tester. (Degree of willingness to work with a human. High correlation between ability to retrieve and successful guide dogs, obedience dogs, field trial dogs.
TOUCH SENSITIVITY= 3 (5-6 seconds before response) when firmly pressing webbing between toes firmly until pup responds. Degree of sensitivity to touch and indicator of the type of training equipment required (eg pinch collar, etc).
SOUND SENSITIVITY = 3 Listens, locates sound and walks there curiously when tester makes a sharp noise (banging metal spoon on metal pan).  Degree of sensitivity to sound such as loud noises or thunderstorms (also rudimentary test for deafness).
SIGHT SENSITIVITY = 1 Looks, attacks and bites when introduced to a large towel pulled by a string. Degree of intelligent response to strange object. A “1” is the optimum score for working line pups.
STABILITY = 3 Looks and wants to investigate when umbrella is opened about 5 feet from tester, then set on the floor. Degree of startle response to a strange object. Indicative of “fight” or “flight” drive.

Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test Results meaning...

volhards_puppy_aptitude_test_results_meaning.pdf
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Overall Impression...

Overall, Bess is wonderfully investigative with a kind-hearted, forgiving spirit. She has a willingness to connect and follow. When dominated during the test, she exhibited an ideal forgiving spirit was accepting when forced into a position of no control. Having never retrieved before the this test, Bess retrieved the object immediately and returned with it to the tester. She exhibited a moderate pain tolerance which means she will not require strong correction making her easy to train. Bess was not startled by a sudden sound banging noise, which means she will be adaptable to all kinds of loud noises. In Mississippi, she is well acclimated to extremely loud thunderstorms with lightening flashing through the puppy room skylight. When offered the towel on a string, she immediately grabbed and held a tight grip which demonstrates her drive and potential for protection training. She has a wonderful nose and consistently gave a natural “sit” and “bark alert” upon scent detection. 

​At Seven Oaks Farms, we do our best to treat ALL animals with the utmost of care following the proverb:
"A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel."
(Proverbs 12:10)