Power Emma S, Dawson Jessica, Bennett Pauleen C
Anthrozoology Research Group, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC 3552, Australia.
Animals (Basel). 2024 Dec 16;14(24):3627. doi: 10.3390/ani14243627.
Defining the ideal characteristics of canine companions is imperative to those seeking to improve human-dog relationships. Previous investigations into the preferred traits of companion dogs were conducted before substantial recent events, such as the rise of social media and the COVID-19 pandemic, which altered human lifestyles and potentially affected canine preferences and owner satisfaction. This study surveyed Australian adults ( = 337) online to assess these shifts. The ideal dog was characterised as medium-sized, with a short- low- or non-shedding coat, and acquired as a puppy from a shelter/rescue. Desired traits included being affectionate, healthy, non-aggressive, safe with children, housetrained, non-destructive when alone, and not prone to escaping. Principal Component Analysis identified five factors: 'calm and obedient', 'inhibitory control', 'energy and drive', 'non-aggressive and safe', and 'affectionate and healthy'. Demographic variables of age, gender, perceived income, and household children influenced preferences. No significant differences in owner satisfaction with behaviour were observed between dogs acquired during versus outside the pandemic. The findings align with prior Australian research, suggesting enduring stability in preferences for the ideal companion dog. These insights offer valuable guidance for breeders, prospective owners, and policymakers to reduce dog relinquishment and improve human-dog relationships.
对于那些希望改善人与狗关系的人来说，定义理想的犬类伴侣特征至关重要。之前对伴侣犬偏好特征的调查是在近期一些重大事件之前进行的，比如社交媒体的兴起和新冠疫情，这些事件改变了人类的生活方式，并可能影响犬类偏好和主人满意度。本研究对澳大利亚成年人（n = 337）进行了在线调查，以评估这些变化。理想的狗狗被描述为中型犬，毛发短、不掉毛或几乎不掉毛，并且是从小狗时期从收容所/救助机构领养的。期望的特征包括 affectionate（深情的）、健康、不具攻击性、对儿童安全、经过室内训练、独自时不具破坏性，以及不易逃跑。主成分分析确定了五个因素：“冷静顺从”、“抑制控制”、“活力与动力”、“不具攻击性且安全”、“深情且健康”。年龄、性别、感知收入和家庭子女数量等人口统计学变量会影响偏好。在疫情期间领养的狗狗和疫情之外领养的狗狗之间，主人对狗狗行为的满意度没有显著差异。这些发现与澳大利亚之前的研究一致，表明对理想伴侣犬的偏好具有持久的稳定性。这些见解为育种者、准主人和政策制定者提供了宝贵的指导，以减少狗狗被遗弃的情况并改善人与狗的关系。 注： affectionate 可灵活翻译为“深情的、温顺的、有感情的”等，这里保留英文以便更好理解原文语境。
