Three Things to Know
Acquiring a dog is a complex decision influenced by personal taste, income, and values. To explore the preferences of the general American population for dog characteristics and acquisition methods, researchers conducted a survey.
Demographic factors significantly influenced preferences. Older respondents favored more choice, while higher-income individuals prioritized breed and source. Lower-income individuals, in contrast, are less likely to emphasize physical health as a key characteristic.
Based on stated preferences, researchers categorized the population into three groups: “Adoption Only” (20%), “To Each Their Own” (39%), and “Home for the Homeless Dogs” (41%). While diverse, adoption was found to be the most preferred method of acquiring a dog across all Americans.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners:
This study reveals a strong preference for adoption among Americans, a success that should be celebrated by shelter professionals who have worked hard to publicize the message.
However, men and non-pet owners were less likely to favor adoption, suggesting a need to develop strategies to engage these groups more effectively. This trend is also evident in volunteerism, where women are more likely to participate in animal rescues. Shelters may benefit from analyzing the adopter and volunteer bases to identify potential gaps and opportunities.
Lastly, it’s important to respect people’s preferences and choices, a fundamental aspect of American culture. Rather than imposing a particular view, it’s more effective to gently encourage individuals to consider adoption as a positive and rewarding choice.
The Full Picture
Acquiring a dog involves various factors, including ethical, social, and practical considerations. Studies show that appearance is often a primary factor, along with motivations like helping shelter animals or owning purebred dogs. Concerns about unethical breeding practices have led to legislation regulating pet store sourcing and promoting responsible breeding.
Despite the widespread interest in dog ownership, research on dog acquisition methods and preferences is limited, often focusing on current dog owners. This study, “Stated Preferences for Dog Characteristics and Sources of Acquisition,” aims to analyze U.S. residents’ demographics and their views on:
- Dog acquisition and welfare considerations
- The most important dog characteristics in acquiring a dog
- The ethical ranking of different acquisition methods
Study Methods
In October 2015, a survey was conducted among 507 U.S. residents aged 18 and older. The sample was designed to represent the U.S. population in terms of gender, income, education, and geographic region. The survey collected demographic information, dog ownership data, and details about dog acquisition methods and related welfare considerations.
Dog Acquisition and Welfare Considerations: Participants rated their agreement with ten statements about dog acquisition on a 7-point scale. These responses were categorized into “agree,” “neutral,” and “disagree” for analysis.
Important Dog Characteristics: Participants rated the importance of various dog characteristics, such as breed, behavior, health, cost, and source, on a 1-4 scale. These responses were categorized into “important” and “unimportant” and analyzed for correlations with demographic factors.
Perceived Ethicality of Dog Acquisition Methods: A subset of participants participated in a best-worst scaling (BWS) experiment to rank the perceived ethicality of eight dog acquisition methods, including adoption, purchase, gift, and rescue.
Study Results
Overview
The survey results revealed significant demographic differences in attitudes towards dog acquisition.
Choice: Older individuals and those with higher incomes preferred more choice in acquiring dogs. Younger respondents were less likely to agree with these sentiments, with only 42% agreeing to the statement that “People should be able to buy purebred dogs”.
Sale & Purchase of Dogs: Women were also more likely to hold negative views about the sale and purchase of dogs, particularly regarding pet store sources and purebred dogs. They were also more likely to prioritize shelter and rescue dogs, expressing concerns about overpopulation and the adoptability of shelter dogs. Regional differences were also observed, with Western residents generally holding more liberal views on dog acquisition compared to those in the Northeast and Midwest.
Prioritized Dog Characteristics: When considering specific dog characteristics, preferences varied based on demographics. For example, higher-income individuals prioritized breed and source reputation, while physical health was found to be less important to lower-income respondents ($0–$25,000) compared to other groups. Women valued compatibility with their lifestyle, and younger respondents were more concerned about cost.
These findings highlight the complex interplay of demographic factors in shaping attitudes towards dog acquisition and the importance of considering these differences in future research and policy discussions.
Analysis
Using data from the survey, the study identified three distinct classes of ethical preferences for dog acquisition.
1. “Adoption Only”
The “Adoption Only” class (20% of the population) overwhelmingly favored adoption, accounting for 96% of their preferences. This group was demographically diverse.
2. “To Each Their Own”
The “To Each Their Own” class (39% of the population) exhibited a balanced preference for various methods, including purchasing from breeders (21%), receiving dogs as gifts (21%), adoption (16%), and pet store purchases (13%). This group was more likely to consist of men and non-pet owners.
3. “Homes for the Homeless Dogs”
The “Homes for the Homeless Dogs” class (41% of the population) strongly favored homeless pets, whether adopted (79%) or found (12%). This group, primarily composed of women, lower-income individuals, and pet owners, demonstrated a strong commitment to animal welfare and a preference for rescuing dogs.
Across all survey participants, adoption emerged as the most preferred method, reflecting the success of public messaging promoting adoption as a socially responsible choice.
Conclusion
This study aligns with previous research, confirming that appearance, compatibility with owner lifestyle, past experience, and cost are key factors influencing dog acquisition decisions. Women’s stronger preference for adoption and rescue reinforces earlier findings and underscores their role in promoting humane practices.
The results indicate a growing preference for adopting dogs from shelters and rescue organizations across various demographic groups. Understanding self-reported views offers valuable insights into how individuals communicate within their social circles, providing a foundation for developing tailored messaging. Stakeholders in the companion animal industry can leverage these findings to effectively address specific audience segments, promoting ethical dog acquisition practices.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Shelter Dogs > Improving Rehoming Success > Enlarging Adoption Pipeline
Year of Publication:
2017
External Link:
Bir C, Widmar NJO, Croney CC. Stated Preferences for Dog Characteristics and Sources of Acquisition. Animals. 2017; 7(8):59. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani7080059