ATTS does NOT evaluate dogs for "pet" suitability
The American Temperament Testing Society's pool of dogs is self-selected by owners and breeders who want a TT (Temperament Tested) certificate. If you know your dog is bitey, you won't pay the $30 to take the test.
The competing AKC' "Canine Good Citizen" program has similar issues, but at least it's a third of the price, and some homeowner's insurance firms will give a rate discount if your dogs are CGC'd.
There are two reasons why the ATTS numbers are German Shepherd heavy. The first is that the founder of the society started out in schutzhund, and schutzhund is dominated by German Shepherds. Secondly, testing days are always hosted by an organized dog club, so the high number of GSDs reflects high participation by GSD-focused breed clubs.That's like doing a realiabilty test with 3000 Ford's and only 500 chevies...meaning less.
There are plenty of pitbulls to compare 3k German shepherds with, but why did they test so many shepherds?
Those percentages mean nothing when the test subject numbers aren't the same.
The American Temperament Testing Society's pool of dogs is self-selected by owners and breeders who want a TT (Temperament Tested) certificate. If you know your dog is bitey, you won't pay the $30 to take the test.
The competing AKC' "Canine Good Citizen" program has similar issues, but at least it's a third of the price, and some homeowner's insurance firms will give a rate discount if your dogs are CGC'd.