Why does anybody decide to bring a pedigrée dog home for the family?
Because of their predictability. Therefore the dog can fulfill all the characteristics that the family learned and read about them and can expect a comfortable life together, based on that.
Is it more a well socialized breedtypical temperament, or the colour of the eyes or a correct topline or a fancy colour?
In the modern society we cannot neglect the first one, because THAT can make the future family of the dog happy and satisfied, and avoid to abandon dogs because of their unwanted character.
Judging at a dogshow gives us a possibility to learn and evaluate the basic temperament of the dog being breed-typical or not, in various ways with the experience and expertise of the judge, being different breed-by-breed!
You can see the very simple basic test in my own breed, the Dachshund, what I am doing in every single time. I simply attract his/her attention, and neutrally put my hand down in front of the dog without touching it "offering myself to the dog".
A teckel is not "everybody's sweetheart", but interested in everything. The perfect reaction is to stand, then checking or sniffing my palm, and going back to the original position.
"He is not my man, but checked and OK, we are safe."
If the dog is very friendly, and well socialized, then he is wagging the tail or even jumping into my hand with happiness. Of course it is not a problem, but I do not necessarily expect it from a Dachshund with whom I've never met before (they always keep their "right to be selective" 😉).
BUT when the dog becomes scared, panicking, or simply try to hide himself behind the handler's leg, OR shows any signs of aggression without being "attacked", then it is UNTYPICAL, and I do not award this dog with an "Excellent", even if it is the best looking one in the ring. I cannot cheat the new owners of his/her possible future offsprings. It is advised NOT to breed this dog.
My experience - breeding 3 different breeds for 44 years - that both TEMPERAMENT, AND ITS POSSIBLE IRREGULARITIES ARE CARRIED ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION. It is a part of the breeders' (and the judge's) responsibility!
Of course it is ONLY the basis, that cannot work out without a good socialization of any dog in the most important period of 6–12 weeks and further on.
Therefore the other important responsibility of the breeders to actively work on them in that age, and to WAIT and CHOOSE THE RIGHT OWNER for the different puppies with knowing and experiencing their slightly different personalities.
Dr. Tamás Jakkel
President of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)