UK Dog Owners' Pre-Acquisition Information- and Advice-Seeking: A Mixed Methods Study

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Behaviour
• Human-Animal Interactions

Background:

• Dogs are the most prevalent pet species in the UK.
• Limited understanding exists regarding information-seeking behaviours and pre-acquisition research for dog acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the preparatory research conducted by prospective dog owners in the UK.
• To identify common information sources and topics of interest during the dog acquisition process.

Main Methods:

• A 2019 online survey collected quantitative and qualitative data from current (n=4381) and potential (n=2350) dog owners who had researched or planned to research dog acquisition.
• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with current (n=24) and potential (n=8) dog owners.

Main Results:

• Websites (76%) were the most frequent information source for current owners, followed by family/friends (70%) and online forums (51%).
• Prospective owners sought information on general dog care, breed specifics, owner-dog suitability, and sourcing a dog.
• The majority found desired information, but some encountered conflicting advice, leading to uncertainty about trustworthy sources.

Conclusions:

• Pre-acquisition research is crucial for prospective dog owners, highlighting the need for reliable and unbiased information, especially online.
• Understanding owner research patterns can inform animal welfare organizations and veterinary professionals to better support potential dog owners.