Do you know that the American Pitbull Terrier has a temperament level of 87.6%?
When considering adding a dog to your family one of the most important things to consider is temperament.
A dog’s temperament will determine how they interact with people, other animals, and their environment.
If you’re looking to adopt or purchase a pit bull or any other breed the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a great resource for learning about the behavioral tendencies of different breeds through their temperament testing.
What is the Temperament Test?
The ATTS tests a dog’s temperament by exposing them to different stimuli and measuring their response. This includes situations like meeting strangers, sudden noises, or unusual sights. Dogs are judged on their reaction, friendliness, aggression, fearfulness, and recovery from startling events. The test is designed to simulate real-life situations to see how dogs would react to the same situations in everyday life.
Pit Bulls: Misunderstood but Well-Tempered
The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) gets a bad rap due to media and misinformation. However, according to the ATTS, pit bulls score above many other breeds.
As of January 2023, 960 American Pit Bull Terriers were tested and 87.6% passed the temperament test.
That puts pit bulls in the top 10 of the test, above many other popular breeds.
Here are the temperament scores for different breeds:
- American Pit Bull Terrier: 87.6% passed out of 960
- American Staffordshire Terrier: 85.7% passed out of 770
- Rottweiler: 85.0% passed out of 6216
- German Shepherd: 85.7% passed out of 3500
- Golden Retriever: 85.9% passed out of 836
- Labrador Retriever: 92.4% passed out of 872
- Boxer: 84.5% passed out of 489
These scores show pit bulls aren’t the monsters some people think they are. In fact, they have more temperament stability than breeds considered family-friendly like Golden Retrievers or German Shepherds.
Top Breeds with Higher Temperament Scores than Pit Bulls (87.6%)
| Rank | Breed | Number Tested | Passed | Failed | Pass Rate (%) |
| 1 | Belgian Malinois | 492 | 463 | 29 | 94.1% |
| 2 | Border Terrier | 147 | 135 | 12 | 91.8% |
| 3 | Labrador Retriever | 872 | 806 | 66 | 92.4% |
| 4 | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 160 | 147 | 13 | 91.9% |
| 5 | Bull Terrier (Miniature) | 20 | 20 | 0 | 100.0% |
| 6 | Boerboel | 60 | 55 | 5 | 91.7% |
| 7 | German Pinscher | 43 | 40 | 3 | 93.0% |
| 8 | Flat-Coated Retriever | 88 | 81 | 7 | 92.0% |
| 9 | Pug | 48 | 44 | 4 | 91.7% |
| 10 | Curly-Coated Retriever | 185 | 170 | 15 | 91.9% |
Top Breeds with Lower Temperament Scores than Pit Bulls (87.6%)
| Rank | Breed | Number Tested | Passed | Failed | Pass Rate (%) |
| 1 | Bearded Collie | 53 | 31 | 22 | 58.5% |
| 2 | Chihuahua | 48 | 33 | 15 | 68.8% |
| 3 | Basenji | 180 | 125 | 55 | 69.4% |
| 4 | Dachshund (Standard Smooth) | 51 | 36 | 15 | 70.6% |
| 5 | Chow Chow | 99 | 71 | 28 | 71.7% |
| 6 | Bulldog | 143 | 103 | 40 | 72.0% |
| 7 | French Bulldog | 57 | 55 | 2 | 96.5% |
| 8 | Shar-Pei | 219 | 157 | 62 | 71.7% |
| 9 | Basset Hound | 40 | 35 | 5 | 87.5% |
| 10 | Dachshund (Mini Smooth) | 42 | 33 | 9 | 78.6% |
Pit Bulls Compared to Other Breeds
The temperament test shows many breeds considered calm or gentle don’t do as well as pit bulls.
The Bearded Collie, known for being friendly, has a pass rate of 58.5% which is way below the American Pit Bull Terrier. The Chihuahua, a small and loved breed, has a pass rate of 68.8% and the Dachshund (Miniature Smooth) scores 70.6%.
What Does This Mean for New Dog Owners?
The high pass rate for pit bulls in the ATTS tests shows they are capable of good behavior when trained and socialized correctly.
These dogs when raised in a good environment can be as loving and trustworthy as any breed. Remember behavior is a combination of genetics, environment, and training.
By knowing these temperament scores we can help combat the stigma against breeds like pit bulls and get more people to see them for what they are—loyal, intelligent, and friendly companions.
Scientifically Proven
Several studies have shown breed alone doesn’t determine behavior. A study in Science states breed only explains 9% of the behavioral variation among individual dogs. Training, socialization, and environment play a much bigger role in shaping a dog’s temperament and behavior.
Conclusion
When looking at the temperament scores from ATTS it’s clear pit bulls have been mislabeled as aggressive.
With a pass rate of 87.6%, they outscore many other breeds. As with any dog, responsible ownership—training, socialization, and care—is the key to having a well-behaved and loving pet.
If you’re thinking of bringing a pit bull into your home these stats should give you peace of mind they can be just as great a companion as any other breed.
