TEMPERAMENT TESTING — NYXBORN TIBETAN MASTIFFS
 

Building Confident, Stable, Reliable Tibetan Mastiffs

At Nyxborn Tibetan Mastiffs, temperament is not an afterthought — it is the foundation of our breeding program.
A correct Tibetan Mastiff must be:

• Stable

• Confident

• Calm around strangers

• Clear-headed in new environments

• Discerning, not reactive

• Balanced between guardian instinct and social tolerance

We take this extremely seriously.
Every puppy we produce undergoes structured, modern temperament evaluations to ensure each dog is suited to the right home.

 Why We Temperament Test

Tibetan Mastiffs are a rare, intelligent, guardian breed.
Their behaviour is influenced by:

• Genetics

• Early development

• Structure & nerve strength

• Socialisation

• Environment

• Training

• Breeder selection

Because of this, we use purpose-built temperament assessments to understand each puppy’s natural tendencies long before placement.

This allows us to:

• Match puppies to the right homes

• Prevent mismatches

• Predict guardian aptitude

• Identify stability and confidence levels

• Evaluate nerve strength

• Assess environmental resilience

• Support families with the correct training from day one

A well-matched puppy becomes a lifetime companion.
A mismatched placement becomes a problem.

We prevent problems before they start.

Our Testing Method:
Modern, Ethical, Comprehensive

We use a structured testing system inspired by:

• Modified Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test

• Modern stability and nerve assessments

• Environmental confidence exposures

• Handling & touch response

• Human sociability & engagement

• Noise and sensory reactions

• Startle-recovery tests

• Surface confidence evaluations

• Independence & resilience scoring

• Guardian instinct indicators

These tests do NOT create fear or stress.
Every assessment is slow, controlled, and respectful.

We test what is already there — we never force anything.
 

What We Assess at Nyxborn

1. Confidence & Nerve Strength

We evaluate how each puppy handles:

• New environments

• Sudden changes

• Novel sounds

• New surfaces

• Gentle startles

Stable TM puppies show curiosity over fear, and recover quickly.

2. Human Sociability

We evaluate:

• How puppies approach people

• Eye contact

• Desire for proximity

• Engagement

• Receptiveness to calm affection

We do not reward over-dependency or clinginess — we value balanced, confident social behaviour.

3. Handling & Touch Tolerance

We check comfort levels with:

• Being picked up

• Touch on paws, ears, mouth

• Gentle restraint

• Grooming movements

This is essential for a giant breed with a long lifespan.

4. Environmental Stability

We expose puppies to:

• different textures

• mild novel objects

• controlled sounds

• mild movement

• obstacles

We observe how they think, adapt, and recover.
A stable TM does not panic.

5. Problem Solving & Independence

We test:

• natural curiosity

• persistence

• willingness to explore

• confidence away from littermates

These traits help predict how the dog will behave in adulthood.

6. Guardian Instinct and Drive Tendencies

We evaluate:

• alertness

• object focus, Drive and engagement.

• boundary awareness

• natural suspicion vs inappropriate reactivity
   

We do not encourage early guarding.
We simply observe natural aptitude.

Correct TM temperament is:

Watchful, calm, thoughtful — never unstable or reactive.

How We Use the Results

Testing begins multiple times during the 12 weeks process, as puppy behaviour becomes clearer.

Scores are combined with:

• daily observation

• structure analysis

• health monitoring

• mother’s behaviour

• father’s temperament

• the puppy’s personal development

This creates a complete picture of each puppy.

Placement decisions are made based on temperament first, not colour.

This is how we match:

• confident puppies → rural or active homes

• thoughtful, stable puppies → busy families

• independent puppies → experienced homes

• soft/nervous puppies → never bred, always placed thoughtfully

• high aptitude puppies → sport or performance homes

• mellow puppies → quieter households

Every family receives a puppy suited to their experience level, environment, and goals.
 

 Why This Makes Nyxborn Puppies Different

Most breeders place puppies based on “first pick” or colour or looks.

We place puppies based on:

✔ Stability
✔ Nerve strength
✔ Guardian suitability
✔ Family dynamic
✔ Social tendencies
✔ Environmental resilience
✔ Responsiveness
✔ Long-term success

This is why Nyxborn puppies grow into calm, stable, reliable adults without fear-reactivity or instability.

It is also why we breed so rarely —
Quality takes time, planning, and purpose.

Support After You Take Your Puppy Home

Temperament testing is only the beginning.

Every family receives:

• a personalised temperament report

• training recommendations

• guidance for the first 8 weeks

• ongoing behavioural support

• lifetime breeder contact

Your success is our success — and we are invested in each puppy for life.

Want More Details?

Visit our Puppy Raising Program page to see how we shape confident puppies from birth.

Ready to Join the Waitlist?

Visit the Upcoming Litters page or submit an enquiry through our Contact form.

We are always happy to answer questions and help determine if a Tibetan Mastiff is the right breed for your home.