PERSONALITY tests for dogs could mean they find the perfect owners and do not end up repeatedly being returned to the pound.
Rebecca Ledger, an animal behaviourist at Brunel University, designed psychometric tests for the RSPCA matching dogs temperaments with prospective owners' expectations.
Dr Ledger said: "The problem of returned dogs comes down to owner perception what some owners think is a behaviour problem, others will see as a behaviour asset."
She carried out her research at eight RSPCA centres across the country and gave tests to potential owners and homeless dogs. So far, trials have seen a reduction of 27 per cent in returns.
The RSPCA is considering using the dog matching assessments in all of its centres. Each year the RSPCA rehomes more than 25,000 dogs, some being returned within weeks.
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