Frequently Asked Questions
If your question is not answered here, write to us at info@canistestis.com.
About the assessment
1. What exactly do you assess?
Three things: health, temperament, and capability. Health is examined by a licensed veterinarian. Temperament is assessed by a certified trainer or behaviourist. Capability is tested against the purpose the dog is being assessed for — protection, detection, herding, service, or companionship.
2. Who carries out the assessment?
A named veterinarian and a named certified trainer, both listed on the report with their credentials. We do not use anonymous assessors.
3. Where does the assessment take place?
Where the dog is. Our assessors travel to the dog, because a dog behaves differently in a familiar place. We do not ask the seller to send the dog to us.
4. How long does it take?
A standard assessment takes a full day on site. The written report follows within the agreed timeline, typically one to two weeks. Complex cases may take longer.
5. Can I be present?
You can, but you are not required to be. Most of our clients are not present. The report is what you receive.
6. Is the assessment filmed?
Yes. Every test is filmed. The footage is part of the report and is delivered to you with it.
About the report
7. What does the report contain?
The dog's identity and microchip number, the date and conditions of assessment, the names and credentials of the assessors, the full results by section, the filmed evidence, any limitations, the protocol version used, and the signature of each assessor.
8. Does the report tell me whether to buy the dog?
No. The report tells you what the dog is. The decision is yours. We do not advise for or against a purchase.
9. What happens if the dog fails?
You receive a report explaining what was found and why it did not meet the standard. You do not buy the dog, or you buy it knowing exactly what you are taking on. Either way, you have saved the cost of finding out later.
10. How long is a report valid?
A report describes the dog on the day of assessment. It is a point-in-time finding, not a guarantee of future behaviour. We recommend re-assessment if significant time passes or circumstances change.
About certification
11. What does "certified" mean?
It means the dog met the standard set out in our published protocol, on the day of assessment, as verified by named assessors. It does not mean the dog is guaranteed to behave a certain way in the future.
12. Can a certificate be revoked?
Yes. If new information shows the assessment was based on false or incomplete information, we may revoke the certificate and remove the dog from the registry. This protects the value of the certification for everyone else.
13. Is there a public registry?
Yes. Certified dogs are listed in the Canis Testis registry with their certification number, assessment date, and protocol version. (Registry launching soon.)
About independence
14. Do you take commission from sellers?
No. Never. Our fee is for the assessment itself, regardless of the result. We do not sell dogs, breed dogs, or train dogs for sale.
15. How do you stay independent if the seller pays?
In most cases the buyer pays. In cases where the seller or a third party pays, the fee is fixed in advance, the report is issued the same way, and we take no additional payment linked to the outcome. Independence is structural, not a promise.
16. Do you work for both buyers and sellers?
We work for the assessment. Either side can commission it, but the report is the same, and the findings are not adjusted for anyone.
About fees and logistics
17. What does an assessment cost?
Fees are quoted per assessment, based on scope and location. For a standard assessment within the Netherlands, fees typically start at (figure to be inserted). Contact us for a written quote.
18. Do you assess dogs outside the Netherlands?
Yes. We assess across Europe and internationally. Travel and logistics are quoted separately.
19. How do I start?
Write to info@canistestis.com or send a WhatsApp to +31 6 2044 7198 (text only). Tell us about the dog — breed, age, location, and purpose — and we will confirm whether we can assess it.
About training after the assessment
20. Can Canis Testis also help with training after I buy a dog?
Yes. If you buy a dog that has been assessed by Canis Testis, we can introduce you to a professional trainer for a 2–4 week handover programme.
The training is arranged directly between you and the trainer. You pay the trainer directly. Canis Testis takes no commission from the training and has no financial interest in it.
We make the introduction by email, so both sides know who the other is. After that, the choice of trainer, the length of the programme, and the terms are yours.
21. Why is handover training recommended?
A certified dog is only half the equation. A dog that is handled well is the whole of it.
Protection and working dogs are not ordinary pets. Even a well-trained dog will fail in the hands of an owner who has not been taught to handle it. A handover programme is the buyer's chance to learn the dog before the dog is expected to work.
22. Does Canis Testis guarantee the trainer's work?
No. We introduce you to trainers we have worked with, but we do not supervise or guarantee their work. If a trainer does not deliver what was agreed, that is a matter between you and the trainer.
We would like to hear about it, so we can decide whether to keep recommending them.
Still have a question?
Write to info@canistestis.com. We reply within two working days.