Temperament vs Behavior: how do they differ?

Question

How would you define both temperament and behavior when concerning dogs? How are these two terms related, if at all?

I often hear these two terms (Temperament and Behavior) when describing a dog with problems of one sort or the other. I would like to know the difference between these terms, if there is one. I would also like to know how they are related to one another, if they are.

Now, for those of you who might want a challenge and would like to take this question just a little bit further (you certainly don't need to): I'm interested to know how you would relate these terms pertaining to dogs. In your opinion, are these terms interrelated? If so, how?

Nature, Nurture, Genetics, Environment, Temperament and Behavior.

Answer 1

I sum it up to temperament being what is expected of the breed, and behavior as to how the particular dog actually behaves. Temperament varies, but only slightly since it is the standard. Behavior is usually known to vary extremely, especially in badly bred dogs.

However, I'm sure the door swings many ways. And I'm sure I'm not right, which is why I'll star for someone who is knowledgeable :).

As for the other terms:

Nature: What come naturally to the dog (instincts, drive, etc.).

Nuture: How you have trained the dog. (socialization, training classes, kindness, etc.).

Genetics: How the dog was bred. A well-bred dog looks and acts SO much better than a badly-bred dog.

Environment: Where the dog is raised. In a calm home, or a loud, rowdy one? In a suburb, or in the country? Enviornmental factors can determine certain things.

Answer 2

temperament is more like personality - inbred.  behavior is the outward manifestation of many factors: temperament, whether/how they're disciplined, responses to their environment, etc.  we can influence their behavior but not their basic temperament.

Answer 3

Temperament - As it applies to dogs; an assertive animal, a shy one, mild and easy going, strong willed etc.

Behavior - What the dog actually does regardless of temperament in some cases, biting, mouthing, aggressiveness

Yes the can be connected and sometimes the behaviors can be shaped by the dogs temperament and their reaction to training.

For the third part yes they are. All of these are things that have to be taken into account when training the animal, owning it and in many cases rehabbing/retraining the animal. Huskies are runners its part of the breed, but with proper training and reinforcement you can work around that to have an animal that will not take off on you like that, but you will still have an animal with a strong personality

Answer 4

This is just from my observations, experiences and beliefs training and rescuing dogs, I am not a behaviorist and I'm sure there are books maybe even web sites that would have a way better answer than my off the cuff opinions expressed here.

It is my opinion temperament is the basic building block of a dogs personality and what their initial reaction to the situation is. This characteristic defines if the dog is shy, friendly, dominant, submissive etc. Temperament can be passed down through genetics and molded through early socialization and imprints. Once an imprint sets in it is almost impossible to change. I have seen temperament gradually evolve as dogs mature.

This I believe is the nature of the breed and is purely genetic. These are the inherited traits and drives that breeds are known for. The breed I know are Border Collies As I'm sure you know they are known for their energy, intelligence, herding drive, prey drive and sometimes being snobs around other dogs. Not all border collies have these traits but often they will demonstrate these characteristics but bcs are more prone to these traits. Manifestations of nature in border collies are herding children or "nipping legs/heels" (herding). Drives can get out of control, when herding drive goes to the extreme it becomes prey drive. Example, border collies 6 out of 10 will be high energy, intelligent and have the desire to keep children and other animals grouped in tight packs. Manifestations of nature in border collies are herding children or "nipping legs/heels" (herding). Example, border collies 6 out of 10 will be high energy, intelligent and have the desire to keep children and other animals grouped in tight packs.

One thing left out of the question are drives, drives are an important aspect of breed nature especially when we talk about working dogs. Working dogs were bred over centuries to maximize working drives like herding and protection work. Drives can get out of control, when herding drive goes to the extreme it becomes prey drive. This is one of the top reasons border collie end up in shelters and rescues.

Behavior are manifestations of temperament, nature, drives, nurture (training and care) and environment. Behavior is what people see and can work to modify and redirect.

I would say nurturing, training and environment are one of the most important aspects of developing a well rounded dog, I would never write off a dog just because of their temperament, nature or drives. My personal dog was a neurotically shy dog when he came to my house, he is a 40lb American Eskimo/Golden Retriever mix, it took me 2 months of him hiding under my bed before I was able to actually work with him. beyond his looks he was pretty much unadoptable, his temperament gave him a strong probability of becoming a fear biter if he did not go to the right handler. After hundreds of hours of socialization, desensitization, trust building and training; he's become a very well rounded dog that approaches strangers and has developed relationships with people besides me. He is public off leash trained and enjoys leaving the house with pride and confidence now. After 2 years his shy temperament often still shows but he has come so far you wouldn't recognize him as the same dog.

In conclusion, I am a true believer that every one of these topics are interdependent and come together to make the whole dogs. Nature and temperament feed off eachother and occasionally work to exaggerate nature creating negative behaviors, combined with other issues can become very bad... Example, an untrained overly assertive, dominant dog who has no avenue of burning off excess energy combined with a strong herding drive with no socialization with children often will develop herding/prey drive with children who are frantically running around, this is a recipe for a bite.

Answer 5

Nature:  How the dog acts like those of his breed.

Nurture:  How the dog is taken care of.

Genetics:  How the dog is like his parents.

Environment:  Where the dog is.

Temperament:  How the dog normally is.  Is he naughty, playful, content.

Behavior:  How the dog is acting.

Hope this helps.  And yes they are all related.

Nature, Nurture, Genetics, Environment, and Temperament all are the factors of the dog or any creatures behavior.

Answer 6

I tried to stay away from this one..to much typing and it will not elicit too many favorable responses, but...here we go!

Temperament is what the dog was born with, what is his genetically.

Behavior is how that dog expresses that temperament, be it shy, aggressive, dominant, etc.

While temperament is strictly genetic, behaviors can be taught and shaped, as long as the temperament of the dog allows. You cannot make a shy, fearful dog into a police dog candidate!

Of course they are related, they have to be in order for a dog to express his presence!

Nature is what temperament is, what they two parents put into the dog...genetics if you will.

Nurture is how the dog was raised, how his genetic potential was "nurtured" and brought out.

Environment is what plays a HUGE role in a dog's up-bringing, how he will face the world as an adult, based on his genetic and taught behavior.

We have already covered temperament and behavior earlier.

I can write a book on the subject, but, I am sure you understand what I am trying to say here without going too deep!!

Great question by the way!!

Answer 7

Interesting....the second half of your question actually refers specifically to the first half...

The way I see it (I have 4 dogs...different breeds or mixes...3 rescues and one purebred)....

Temperament = Nature = Genetics

This is a dog's personality. Some are very sweetnatured, intelligent, eager to please, etc...others are not. Much of this is determined by genetics. Well bred dogs have even temperaments and badly bred ones can "snap" anytime.

Behavior = Nurture = Environment

This is how we train dogs. We train for desired behaviors and discourage unacceptable behaviors. Example....we train them to walk calmly in a "heel" position, we train them not to bark excessively, we teach them not to dig....these are all behaviors. The environment comes into play here also....if you are in a crowded, busy, noisy environment dogs will exhibit different behaviors than those who live in the couintry with lots of room to run.

This is just my take on things, having raised my dogs both in the city and now out in the country.

I am sure others may disagree with me and that is fine. I do not claim to be an expert. Just sharing what I have personally observed.

Answer 8

Temperament is something that can't be changed, only reshaped. Its a natural response to something, defined before birth. A dislike and aggression towards small animals is a natural temperament, as seen in many terriers.

Behavior is something that can be taught, corrected, and changed. A behavior is jumping, mouthing, barking, etc. All of those can be corrected and changed. A behavior that's taught are things like sitting, laying, etc.

They do go hand in hand. Temperament can be "toned". With many terrier breeds (as is an easy example) you can train them to IGNORE small mammals that they would otherwise naturally chase, You're modifying the behavioral response stimulated from a natural temperament.

Now-- I could be completely wrong, or entirely right, but that's the way that I've always looked at it, and its never failed me yet.

As for those other terms, Nature, Nurture, Genetics, Environment...

Nature is, well, natural. Its the in-born reaction to things.

Nurture is what the dog picks up simply from being associated with its pack, people or dog.

Genetics contributes to temperament, not 100%, but parents temperaments are transferred to offspring. An aggressive mother will most likely produce an aggressive pup.

Environment can trigger any reaction from a dog. A natural reaction to a dog being cold is huddling and shivering. A scared dog will elicit an aggressive reaction, a pleased dog may wag the tail, etc.

Answer 9

I sum it up as temperment is nature and behavior is nurture

Answer 10

temperment is how much they can hold their temper like are they easily p**s** off or can they just face and go along with it. behaivor is how they react there two different things

Answer 11

Behavior is anything that the dog exhibit (or any living thing for that matter). Sleeping, eating, playing, biting, kissing, jumping...they are all behaviors.

Temperament is how your dog reacts to a situation. A dog with a gentle temperament, may not mind a 3 year old for example, jumping on him/her. Where as a dog with a not so friendly temperament may jump up, nip, bite, growl, or chase the toddler.

Answer 12

I define temperament as the collective, GENETIC traits of a dog.  

I define behavior as the reaction of the dog to different stimuli.  While its temperament (and therefore, genetics) will dictate that behavior, nurture & environment can help manage the dog's behavior.  

Nature, genetics, and temperament are very related terms.  A dogs genetic nature is its temperament.  That temperament cannot be changed, and therefore has a profound impact on a dog's behavior.  

Like I said above, nurture and environment can manage behavior, but it cannot change temperament.  

Answer 13

And I quote "rather simply: Temperament sets the stage but does not write the play. Temperament is a predisposition. A dog's genetics influence the possible behaviors which may be produced by the dog much the way a dial on an oven displays the possible temperatures the oven could be set at.

Genetics limits possible behaviors. For instance, I cannot teach a dog to sing opera because such a behavior is far beyond what its physical structure (genetics) allows, much as my kitchen oven's maximum temperature is 500 degrees, whether I like it or not. Genetics also makes possible certain behaviors. Dogs may not be able to sing opera, but they have a wide range of barks, yelps, and whines which they can employ to communicate.

So genetics sets the range of possible behaviors. Temperament, which is strongly influenced by genetics, sets up the liklihood that a particular behavior will be displayed in a particular circumstance"

Answer 14

Genetics is the foundation to any dogs temperament thus leading to the dogs behavior.  Good or bad!

Dog are predisposed by their genetic make up as to what their temperament will be.  Training can either enhance the dogs temperament or show the dogs true colors.

A shy fearful dog can be give positive reinforcement but it will always be a shy dog!

An aggressive dog can be trained to be less aggressive but it will always be aggressive.

No amount of love or wonderful surrounding, training will change that.  You can't change the genetic makeup of a dog.

JMO