Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

When you choose dog breed you have to look for more than just the outside of the dog and try not to be effected by trends and popularity. Different dog breeds have different breed specific needs. If they are not activated in ways that suits their needs, they can develop different behaviors that the owner consider as unwanted. It is very usual to get at companion dog. This study is investigating how today`s dog owners choose breeds and whether lack of knowledge about the breed affect the resulting behavior from the dogs. Data was collected through a questionnaire and distributed via groups for dog owners on social media. The questionnaire was answered by 1887 owners. The result could indicate that there are owners today that had no knowledge about the breed they got. Over 50% of the respondents gets a companion dog and less than half of these owners have knowledge about their breed´s specific needs. Almost 85% of the owners that has purchased a dog for different purposes than companion have knowledge about the needs of the breed they have chosen. This study discusses the importance of owner having knowledge about the specific breed that they purchase and why owners choose a specific breed without knowledge. The results also show that it was common for dog owners to perceive unwanted behavior from their dogs. Unwanted behaviors are perceived differently and can lead to relocation or even destruction. This study examines these aspects and any underlying factors, to avoid dog owners acquiring a dog with ignorance of the specific needs of the breed.