Saliva may offer clues about how dogs respond during a temperament assessment, but it cannot tell you an individual dog’s temperament or welfare on its own. In a 2026 study of 24 dogs, cortisol levels were associated with scores on a modified behavioral assessment; serotonin was higher in the high-scoring group than in the low-scoring group, but its overall relationship with total score was not statistically significant.
Can a saliva test tell you your dog’s temperament?
Not by itself. A saliva result is a measurement of a biological marker at a particular time—not a label for a dog’s personality, a diagnosis, or a complete account of how the dog feels. The most useful interpretation pairs the result with observed behavior, the circumstances around collection, and a professional assessment when needed.
The 2026 study by Jung and colleagues offers early evidence that salivary measurements may relate to performance on a behavioral assessment. It does not establish a validated test for classifying an individual dog, a universal cutoff, or a way to predict how any particular dog will behave.
What the 2026 study found
How the dogs were assessed
The study included 24 dogs—11 females and 13 males—with a mean age of 5.125 ± 3.059 years. Each completed a modified Wesen temperament assessment covering seven areas: Unconscious Confidence, Sociality, Noise Stability, Movement Stability, Desire for Play and Predation, Behavior in Stressful Situations, and Separation. Researchers collected saliva before and after the assessment, generally in the morning, and measured cortisol and serotonin using ELISA assays. Jung et al., 2026.
#1 Best Overall
- Comprehensive Testing: Screens 395+ food and environmental stressors to help pet parents clearly understand their dog or cat’s potential sensitivities without the guesswork.
- Fast and Convenient: Simple, stress-free at-home sample collection with a prepaid return envelope (US only) and results provided in just 7–10 business days.
- Addresses Various Symptoms: Helps identify potential triggers behind itching, digestive upset, ear infections, paw licking, excessive shedding, and other ongoing mystery symptoms.
- Non-Invasive: Simple hair and saliva testing with no blood draws or clinic visits, allowing pets to stay calm and comfortable throughout the entire testing process.
- Vet & Pet Parent Trusted: Used and approved by veterinarians nationwide, with 100,000+ tests performed to support informed, confident pet care decisions.
Cortisol was inversely associated with assessment scores
In this sample, pre-assessment cortisol was negatively correlated with the total average temperament score and several subtest scores. Post-assessment cortisol was negatively correlated with the overall score and all seven subtests. The change in cortisol from before to after the test was also negatively associated with total score (Spearman’s ρ = −0.526, p = 0.008; r² = 0.259). Dogs in the low-scoring group had significantly higher post-assessment cortisol than dogs in the medium- and high-scoring groups. These are group-level associations from one small study, not a formula for interpreting an individual dog.
Serotonin results need a different qualification
Mean salivary serotonin was 5.943 ± 1.958 ng/mL in the high-scoring group, 2.154 ± 0.666 ng/mL in the medium-scoring group, and 1.742 ± 0.348 ng/mL in the low-scoring group. The high-versus-low group difference was statistically significant. However, the overall correlation between serotonin and total temperament score did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.064). Movement Stability was the subtest with a significant positive association.
Rank #2
- 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗬 & 𝗡𝗢𝗡-𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 – Collect your dog’s sample painlessly with a simple cheek swab, which is then placed in a stabilizing tube and mailed back in a pre-paid envelope. Safe and accurate for dogs over the age of one year. Test is non-perishable and does not expire.
- 𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝟯 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗦 𝗢𝗥 𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦 – Get actionable insights into your dog’s allergies and sensitivities within 3 weeks of submitting the sample. Access your report online, which includes a detailed analysis of over 120 allergens along with customized food recommendations
- 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗬 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 – Identify your dog’s sensitivities to over 120 common allergens, including food intolerances, environmental sensitivities, and household products. Gain clarity on what’s causing your pet’s discomfort and take steps to improve their quality of life
- 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗭𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 – Receive expert guidance on how to manage your dog’s allergies with tailored food suggestions and practical tips to eliminate allergens from their environment. Help your dog live a happier, itch-free life
- 𝗖𝗨𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚-𝗘𝗗𝗚𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗬 𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗬 – Using the latest biochemistry and ELISA technology, DNA My Dog offers highly accurate results by detecting the glycoproteins in your dog’s sample. Trusted by pet owners and veterinarians since 2008, the company offers excellent customer service for a seamless testing experience from start to finish
That distinction matters: a difference between two groups does not establish that serotonin reliably ranks temperament across dogs. These values are findings from the study sample, not reference ranges or clinical thresholds.
What cortisol in a dog’s saliva means
Cortisol is used as an indicator of activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and of stress-related arousal. Its interpretation depends on the dog’s situation and on when the sample is taken. A higher result alone cannot distinguish fear from excitement, pain, or other causes of arousal, and it does not independently establish poor welfare. The American Animal Hospital Association’s discussion of the study likewise cautions that salivary cortisol may not consistently reflect acute stress in every context and cannot capture a dog’s entire welfare state. AAHA, May 14, 2026.
Rank #3
- AFFORDABLE, PROVEN AND LOVED BY THOUSANDS – Get top-tier DNA testing with over 99% accuracy without the premium price. Our test is one of the most cost-effective on the market
- 𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 2-3 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗦 – Receive a complete full breed analysis within 2-3 weeks of submitting the sample. Access your results online, including a downloadable DNA certificate that highlights your dog’s unique breed composition
- 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗗 & 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 – Identify over 350 breeds with advanced genetic testing. The detailed report covers breed-specific health risks, behaviour traits, and essential care tips to help you give your dog the best care possible
- UNIQUE 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 & 𝗕𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗜𝗣𝗦 – Learn more about your dog’s personality traits based on its breed makeup. Get expert advice on training, behaviour tendencies, and tips to strengthen your bond with your furry companion
- 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝟵𝟵% 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘 – DNA My Dog uses cutting-edge technology to deliver highly accurate breed identification with 99%+ accuracy. Trusted by pet owners and rescue organizations since 2008, the company offers excellent customer service for a seamless testing experience from start to finish
A low result also should not be treated as proof that a dog is calm or unstressed. A single sample is tied to its collection conditions and timing; it is not a complete readout of the dog’s experience.
Why collection time and test conditions matter
Salivary measurements can vary with the timing of collection relative to an event. The 2026 researchers collected samples before and after the assessment during a similar morning period to reduce circadian variation, but noted that two samples could not show the full response curve or recovery phase.
Rank #4
- The Petivity At-Home Kidney Health Test Kit for Dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds is a quick and convenient way to monitor your dog’s kidney health marker by testing regularly between vet visits.
- This kidney health monitor for dogs measures urea levels in your dog’s saliva.
- Convenient, home kidney test equips you with kidney health information you can discuss with your vet during visits.
- Mess-free testing for you and your dog using saliva testing strips versus a urine sample.
- Care for your dog, get rewarded. Earn points on every Purina purchase when you download the myPurina app and create an account.
A separate study of puppies and young adult dogs collected saliva at 10 and 40 minutes after behavioral testing and found that behavioral associations differed by sampling time. Its record describes 32 puppies at the first assessment and 16 young adults at the second. Lensen et al., 2019. A result therefore needs context: what happened before collection, how long afterward the sample was taken, and which behavioral assessment was used.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Are saliva and blood measurements interchangeable?
No—not for every hormone. In a preliminary comparison involving 15 beagles, salivary and plasma cortisol showed a positive correlation, while oxytocin and vasopressin did not show plasma–saliva correlations. Individual analyte comparisons used 5–11 dogs because of sample availability. Jung, Yang, and Yoon, 2025.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Best Value
- The Petivity At-Home Kidney Health Test Kit for Dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds is a quick and convenient way to monitor your dog’s kidney health marker by testing regularly between vet visits.
- This kidney health monitor for dogs measures urea levels in your dog’s saliva.
- Convenient, home kidney test equips you with kidney health information you can discuss with your vet during visits.
- Mess-free testing for you and your dog using saliva testing strips versus a urine sample.
- Care for your dog, get rewarded. Earn points on every Purina purchase when you download the myPurina app and create an account.
This limited comparison does not prove that saliva and plasma cortisol are interchangeable in every setting. It does show why results from one sample matrix should not automatically be substituted for results from another.
What other salivary markers can—and can’t—show
Researchers have also examined chromogranin A (CgA) and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in canine saliva. Their reported associations with behavioral traits differed by marker and by whether samples reflected reactivity or recovery. These findings add possible avenues for study; they do not supply a simple mapping from a saliva value to a stable personality trait.
Salivary oxytocin should not be read as a measure of how bonded a dog is to a person. In the preliminary beagle comparison, saliva and plasma oxytocin were not correlated. The available evidence does not validate a salivary oxytocin test for measuring an individual dog’s bond.
How to use a result if your dog has a behavior concern
- Start with behavior and context. Describe what the dog does, what happens before and after, and where the behavior occurs.
- Ask how the sample was collected. The marker, saliva or blood matrix, time relative to a challenge, and assessment method all affect what a result can mean.
- Do not use a number as a diagnosis. The studies do not establish a clinical cortisol or serotonin cutoff for classifying temperament, nor do they validate consumer at-home saliva testing for this purpose.
- Seek qualified help for concerning behavior. A primary veterinarian can assess health factors and coordinate with a qualified trainer or veterinary behaviorist as appropriate. AAHA describes behavior care as potentially involving these professionals; medication belongs within a broader, professionally guided treatment plan, not as a response to a saliva result alone.
What the evidence does not establish
The 2026 findings are promising as an association between physiological measurements and a structured assessment, but they rest on 24 dogs, a modified test, and two sampling points. The available studies do not provide population-wide predictive accuracy, a validated individual temperament threshold, or a percentage of dogs whose temperament can be inferred from saliva. A biomarker can complement behavioral observation; it cannot replace it.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
