"Do Your Homework as Your Heart Takes over When You Go Looking": Factors Associated with Pre-Acquisition Information-Seeking among Prospective UK Dog Owners.

Animals (Basel). March 2023;13(6):.

Rebecca Mead¹, Katrina E Holland², Rachel A Casey³, Melissa M Upjohn⁴, Robert M Christley⁵

¹ Dogs Trust, 17 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7RQ, UK.; ² Dogs Trust, 17 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7RQ, UK.; ³ Dogs Trust, 17 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7RQ, UK.; ⁴ Dogs Trust, 17 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7RQ, UK.; ⁵ Dogs Trust, 17 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7RQ, UK.

Abstract

The factors influencing why and how people decide to acquire a dog are not well understood and little is known about the extent to which prospective owners undertake preparatory research. This study aimed to better understand what factors influence whether prospective dog owners in the UK conduct preparatory research. A 2019 online survey of current (n = 8050) and potential (n = 2884) dog owners collected quantitative and qualitative data. Additional qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with current (n = 166) and potential (n = 10) dog owners. Of the current owners surveyed, 54% stated that they had looked for advice or information prior to acquiring their dog. Of potential owners, 68% reported already having looked for information, while a further 14% were planning to undertake research prior to acquiring a dog. Those with previous dog ownership experience were less likely to undertake pre-acquisition research, as were those who had worked with dogs. Demographic factors were also associated with the likelihood of conducting pre-acquisition research, with younger prospective owners being more likely to have undertaken research, as well as those with formal education qualifications. Among current owners, pre-acquisition research was more likely among those who acquired their dog through a breeder; a specific breed or a mix of two breeds; or as a puppy. Qualitative data were consistent with and added additional understanding and context to these findings. Almost half of current owners did not conduct pre-acquisition research, highlighting the need for increased awareness of its importance and the development of targeted interventions to encourage this activity. Understanding the different factors that influence whether dog owners undertake research may be of interest to animal welfare and veterinary organisations, in order to inform interventions to better prepare people for dog acquisition.

Keywords

dog acquisition; dogs; pre-acquisition behaviours; pre-acquisition research; preparatory research;

Article Tools:

Medline

Email to me

Archives Highlights:

Insights into breeding management and contraception in catteries - What we learned from an online survey.
Progestin pills (n = 235, 47.4 %) were most commonly administered in queens, followed by deslorelin implants (DSRI) (n = 53, 10.7 %). Regarding tomcats, the slight majority of breeders (n = 229, 53.3 %) did not use contraceptives, next common were DSRI (n = 141, 32.8 %). Within the study population, contraceptives were most popular in (Northern) Europe, while least common in Northern America.

Investigating the relationship between canine training classes and post-adoption return rates in North American shelters
Of all the returned dogs, those who attended training were more likely to be returned for owner-related reasons (58.8?%), whereas dogs who did not attend training were more likely to be returned for animal-related reasons (78.9?%). While attending training classes at animal shelters may help to reduce behavioral returns, as shown by the shift in return reasons, they do not appear to reduce return rates significantly for the general shelter population.

Canine distemper outbreak and laryngeal paralysis in captive tigers (Panthera tigris).
All suspected and confirmed cases of CDV infections were significantly associated with laryngeal inflammation, which developed into paralysis in almost 50% of cases. Altogether, 50% of all tiger cases with chronic infection developed stridor at 314 days after virus infection. Therefore, laryngeal paralysis may result from CDV infection and degeneration, potentially affecting the peripheral and central nervous systems. This condition could pose a life-threatening risk to tigers.

Guide for nonswine practitioners to enhance swine disease diagnoses.
This review aims to help clinicians across the country that may not have an in-depth experience in swine medicine become more familiar with both common and novel pathogens, formulate a differential diagnosis based on the age of the animals and affected system (eg, respiratory, systemic, nervous, and enteric), select proper samples and laboratory testing, and interpret laboratory data to achieve a disease diagnosis in porcine patients.

Factors Associated with Medication Noncompliance in Dogs in New Zealand.
Medication noncompliance was recorded for 47% (71/151) of owners. Increasing dog age was associated with better owner compliance. Forty-seven percent (71/151) of owners reported that "nobody" showed them how to administer the medication. One-third of dog owners (47/151) reported challenges in medicating their pets. The most common reason cited by clients reporting challenges was a resistant pet.