Mead Rebecca, Holland Katrina E, Casey Rachel A, Upjohn Melissa M, Christley Robert M
Dogs Trust, 17 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7RQ, UK.
Animals (Basel). 2023 Mar 10;13(6):1015. doi: 10.3390/ani13061015.
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.
人们决定养狗的原因及方式受到哪些因素影响，目前尚未得到充分理解，对于准主人进行准备性研究的程度也知之甚少。本研究旨在更好地了解哪些因素会影响英国的准养狗主人是否进行准备性研究。2019年对现有的（n = 8050）和潜在的（n = 2884）养狗主人进行了在线调查，收集了定量和定性数据。还通过对现有的（n = 166）和潜在的（n = 10）养狗主人进行半结构化访谈收集了额外的定性数据。在接受调查的现有主人中，54%表示他们在养狗之前寻求过建议或信息。在潜在主人中，68%报告已经寻找过信息，另有14%计划在养狗之前进行研究。有过养狗经验的人进行购前研究的可能性较小，从事与狗相关工作的人也是如此。人口统计学因素也与进行购前研究的可能性有关，年轻的准主人以及具有正规学历的人进行研究的可能性更大。在现有主人中，通过繁殖者获得狗的人、获得特定品种或两个品种混合的狗的人以及获得幼犬的人进行购前研究的可能性更大。定性数据与这些发现一致，并增加了对这些发现的理解和背景信息。几乎一半的现有主人没有进行购前研究，这凸显了提高对其重要性的认识以及制定有针对性的干预措施以鼓励这种行为的必要性。了解影响狗主人是否进行研究的不同因素，动物福利和兽医组织可能会感兴趣，以便为干预措施提供信息，帮助人们更好地为养狗做好准备。
