Investigation into owner-reported differences between dogs born in versus imported into Canada

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Behavior
• Human-Animal Interactions

Background:

• Global dog importation is increasing, with millions of dogs entering the US and UK annually.
• Limited regulation and surveillance of imported dogs raise health and welfare concerns.
• Few studies have explored the impact of a dog's origin on the owner-dog relationship.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if owners of imported dogs report poorer owner-dog relationships compared to owners of Canadian-born dogs.
• To assess the influence of dog source location on the human-animal bond.

Main Methods:

• Two independent online surveys were distributed to dog owners in British Columbia, Canada (Study 1: n = 803; Study 2: n = 878).
• Surveys included validated scales (Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale, Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire, Human-Animal Bond questionnaire, Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale) and original questions on training, behavior, health, and attachment.
• Data collected covered various aspects of the owner-dog relationship, including training methods, expectations, and perceived burden.

Main Results:

• No evidence was found to support poorer owner-dog relationships in dogs sourced from outside Canada.
• Owners of Canadian-sourced dogs reported using harsher training methods more frequently.
• Owners of Canadian-sourced dogs also reported higher expectations for their dogs' behavior and abilities.

Conclusions:

• The study found no indication of a diminished owner-dog relationship associated with non-Canadian-sourced dogs.
• Contrary to concerns, Canadian-sourced dogs were associated with more frequent use of harsh training and higher owner expectations.
• Future research should explore factors such as age, health, and background of imported dogs to further understand owner-dog dynamics.