Pandemic Puppies: Demographic Characteristics, Health and Early Life Experiences of Puppies Acquired during the 2020 Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK
Abstract
:Simple Summary
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Design
2.2. Data Collection
2.3. Data Cleaning
2.4. Qualitative Content Analysis
2.5. Health Data Coding
2.6. Breed/Crossbreed Categorisation
2.7. Calculation of Typical Adult Bodyweight
2.8. Statistical Analysis
2.9. Spatial Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Owner Demographics
3.2. Puppy Demographics
3.2.1. Breed/Crossbreed Characteristics
3.2.2. Spatial Analysis of Designer Crossbreeds in the Pandemic Puppy Cohort
3.3. Breeder Provisions
3.4. Puppy Health Soon after Acquisition
3.5. Puppy Socialisation Experiences and Behaviour Soon after Acquisition
3.5.1. Being Left Alone
3.5.2. Socialisation Experiences under 16 Weeks of Age
3.5.3. Attendance at Puppy Training Classes
3.5.4. Attendance at Puppy Training Classes: Multivariable Analysis
3.5.5. Puppy Behaviour
3.6. Puppy Relinquishment
4. Discussion
4.1. Socialisation and Habituation Practices
4.1.1. Puppy Classes
4.1.2. Owner-Led Socialisation Activities
4.2. Separation-Related Behaviours
4.3. Problem Behaviours
4.4. Preventative Healthcare and Early-Life Health
4.5. Early Provisions and Advice Offered by Breeders
4.6. Breed Demographics
4.7. Limitations and Future Research
5. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Breed/Crossbreed | 2019 | 2020 | Statistics | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
n | % | Rank | n | % | Rank | % Change 2019 to 2020 | X2 | p Value | |
Labrador Retriever | 134 | 11.7 | 1 | 429 | 9.9 | 1 | −15.4 | 3.34 | 0.067 |
Cocker Spaniel | 81 | 7.1 | 2 | 324 | 7.4 | 3 | +4.2 | 0.19 | 0.667 |
Cockapoo | 72 | 6.3 | 3 | 362 | 8.3 | 2 | +31.7 | 5.15 | 0.023 |
Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshund | 64 | 5.6 | 4 | 188 | 4.4 | 4 | −21.4 | 3.33 | 0.068 |
Border Collie | 58 | 5.1 | 5 | 150 | 3.4 | 5 | −33.3 | 6.51 | 0.011 |
Golden Retriever | 52 | 4.6 | 6 | 120 | 2.8 | 9 | −39.1 | 9.51 | 0.002 |
Border Terrier | 42 | 3.7 | 7 | 140 | 3.2 | 7 | −13.5 | 0.57 | 0.449 |
Crossbreed | 29 | 2.5 | 8 | 149 | 3.5 | 6 | +40.0 | 2.30 | 0.129 |
German Shepherd Dog | 27 | 2.4 | 9 | 86 | 2.0 | 12 | −16.7 | 0.65 | 0.419 |
English Springer Spaniel | 24 | 2.1 | 10 | 96 | 2.2 | 11 | +4.8 | 0.02 | 0.820 |
Labradoodle | 23 | 2.0 | 11 | 127 | 2.9 | 8 | +45.0 | 2.83 | 0.092 |
Cavapoo | 20 | 1.7 | 12 | 111 | 2.6 | 10 | +52.9 | 2.52 | 0.112 |
Timepoint | Breeder Provision | Acquisition Year | Statistics | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019% | 2020% | X2 | p Value | ||
Prior to bringing puppy home (Total n = 5168; 2019 n = 1063, 2020 n = 4035) | Microchip | 92.4 | 93.2 | 0.84 | 0.360 |
Worming treatment | 89.8 | 89.6 | 0.05 | 0.831 | |
Health check by a veterinary surgeon | 91.3 | 87.4 | 12.07 | <0.001 | |
Flea treatment | 69.3 | 68.6 | 0.18 | 0.669 | |
First vaccinations | 67.0 | 67.4 | 0.06 | 0.802 | |
Second vaccinations | 8.4 | 6.4 | 5.05 | 0.025 | |
When puppy was collected (Total n = 4368; 2019 n = 900, 2020 n = 3468) | Puppy’s microchip details | 92.7 | 92.1 | 0.62 | 0.891 |
Puppy’s vaccinations record | 69.0 | 68.8 | 6.48 | 0.090 | |
Feeding guidance in writing | 68.8 | 61.9 | 32.91 | <0.001 | |
Copy of puppy’s pedigree | 61.7 | 47.3 | 70.10 | <0.001 | |
Kennel Club change of ownership form | 59.4 | 43.6 | 76.90 | <0.001 | |
Puppy’s passport * | 4.1 | 7.1 | 45.51 | <0.001 | |
At any point in time (n = 4462; 2019 = 921, 2020 = 3541) | Advice on diet | 61.6 | 76.9 | 88.76 | <0.001 |
Advice on your puppy’s health | 49.2 | 58.0 | 23.25 | <0.001 | |
Advice on training/behaviour | 42.1 | 50.8 | 17.24 | <0.001 | |
The option to return puppy to them in the future for any reason | 50.1 | 47.3 | 2.22 | 0.136 | |
Advice on exercise regime | 32.5 | 37.8 | 8.91 | 0.003 | |
None of the above | 21.5 | 14.4 | 27.57 | <0.001 | |
The option to board puppy with them when on holiday | 17.0 | 12.0 | 16.19 | <0.001 |
Puppies Sold with a Pet Passport (n = 4314) | Acquisition Year | |
---|---|---|
2019% (n = 884) | 2020% (n = 3430) | |
13 to 16 weeks old | 27.8 | 12.6 |
11 to 12 weeks old | 2.8 | 5.7 |
9 to 10 weeks old | 33.3 | 25.2 |
7 to 8 weeks old | 36.1 | 56.5 |
Under 6 weeks old | 0.0 | 0.0 |
I’m not sure/I can’t remember | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Soon after You Brought Your Puppy Home, Did You Notice Any of the Following? (n = 5571) | Acquisition Year | Statistics | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
2019% (n = 1148) | 2020% (n = 4369) | X2 | p Value | |
Enteropathy * | 10.2 | 9.9 | 0.09 | 0.760 |
Parasite infestation * | 2.1 | 4.7 | 5.27 | 0.022 |
Skin (cutaneous) disorder * | 2.2 | 4.3 | 10.88 | <0.001 |
Ophthalmological disorder * | 2.6 | 2.4 | 0.21 | 0.648 |
Upper respiratory tract disorder * | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.59 | 0.444 |
Ear (aural) disorder | 0.4 | 0.2 | 1.89 | 0.169 |
Undesirable behaviour disorder | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.13 | 0.720 |
Thin/underweight | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.57 | 0.450 |
Traumatic injury | 0.3 | 0.1 | 3.11 | 0.078 |
Musculoskeletal disorder | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.32 | 0.251 |
Polyuria/Polydipsia | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.04 | 0.836 |
Anal sac disorder | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.53 | 0.468 |
Haematopoietic system disorder | 0.1 | 0.0 | 3.81 | 0.051 |
Oral cavity (mouth) disorder | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.26 | 0.608 |
Vascular disorder | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.26 | 0.608 |
Female reproductive abnormality | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.29 | 0.593 |
Lower respiratory tract disorder | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.26 | 0.608 |
Hearing impaired/deafness | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.26 | 0.608 |
Heart (cardiac) disease | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.53 | 0.468 |
Collapsed | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.26 | 0.608 |
Hernia | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.53 | 0.468 |
Lethargy | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.53 | 0.468 |
Mass/lump/swelling | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.26 | 0.608 |
Appetite disorder | 0.1 | 0.0 | 1.04 | 0.309 |
Tail disorder | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.26 | 0.608 |
Urinary system disorder | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.29 | 0.593 |
Drug therapy adverse reaction | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.63 | 0.468 |
Abdominal disorder | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.26 | 0.608 |
Foreign body | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.26 | 0.608 |
Complication associated with clinical care procedure | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.26 | 0.608 |
Is Your Puppy/Dog Insured? (n = 5439) | Acquisition Year | |
---|---|---|
2019% (n = 1140) | 2020% (n = 4352) | |
Yes | 83.5 | 84.0 |
No, and I do not plan to insure them | 10.7 | 7.3 |
No, but I plan to insure them in the future | 3.2 | 7.0 |
No, they were insured but I have since cancelled or did not renew their policy | 2.5 | 1.7 |
No, I have never heard of pet insurance | 0.1 | 0.0 |
Has Your Puppy/Dog Been Vaccinated, or Do You Plan to in the Future? (n = 5172) | Acquisition Year | |
---|---|---|
2019% (n = 1073) | 2020% (n = 4099) | |
Yes—first and second vaccinations | 92.7 | 82.5 |
Yes—just their first vaccinations | 6.8 | 15.2 |
No—not yet, but I plan to in the future | 0.2 | 1.9 |
No—I have chosen not to vaccinate my puppy/dog and don’t plan to in the future | 0.3 | 0.2 |
No—not yet, I haven’t decided | 0.0 | 0.2 |
Has Your Puppy/Dog Been Neutered, or Do you Plan to Have Them Neutered in the Future? (n = 5098) | Acquisition Year | |
---|---|---|
2019% (n = 1053) | 2020% (n = 4072) | |
No, but I intend to have them neutered when they are older | 21.4 | 45.4 |
No, not yet, I haven’t decided | 14.2 | 21.7 |
No, but I do not plan to breed from them | 11.2 | 7.2 |
No, because I plan to breed from them | 10.3 | 6.1 |
Yes, aged under 6 months | 3.6 | 2.9 |
Yes, aged over 6 months | 39.4 | 16.6 |
Whilst Your Puppy Was Under 16 Weeks of Age, Did You Deliberately Leave Them Alone for Any Period of Time to Get Them Used to Being Left Alone? (n = 5101) | Acquisition Year | |
---|---|---|
2019% (n = 1052) | 2020% (n = 4049) | |
Yes | 81.0 | 74.6 |
No | 16.6 | 15.9 |
No, not as yet but I plan to before my puppy is 16 weeks old (if applicable) | 0.1 | 9.0 |
I can’t remember | 2.3 | 0.5 |
Experience (Total; 2019, 2020) | Response | Acquisition Year | Statistics | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019% | 2020% | |||
Travelling in a car (total n = 4461; 2019 n = 921, 2020 = 3540) | Yes | 98.9 | 98.6 | X2 = 5.80 p < 0.122 |
No | 1.1 | 0.8 | ||
I’m not sure/can’t remember | 0.0 | 0.0 | ||
No, not as yet but I plan to before my puppy is 16 weeks old (if applicable) | 0.0 | 0.5 | ||
Meet any people from outside your household (total n = 4466; 2019 n = 922, 2020 n = 3544) | Yes | 93.8 | 90.5 | X2= 35.89 p< 0.001 |
No | 4.8 | 5.6 | ||
I’m not sure/can’t remember | 1.4 | 0.7 | ||
No, not as yet but I plan to before my puppy is 16 weeks old (if applicable) | 0.0 | 3.2 | ||
Visitors to their home (total n = 4449; 2019 n = 920, 2020 n = 3529) | Yes | 94.5 | 81.8 | X2= 103.05 p< 0.001 |
No | 4.6 | 12.8 | ||
I’m not sure/can’t remember | 1.0 | 0.7 | ||
No, not as yet but I plan to before my puppy is 16 weeks old (if applicable) | 0.0 | 4.8 | ||
Walking in a public space (i.e., outside of your home/ garden) (total n = 4459; 2019 n = 921, 2020 n = 3538) | Yes | 87.5 | 78.3 | X2= 151.27 p< 0.001 |
No | 10.7 | 9.4 | ||
I’m not sure/can’t remember | 1.7 | 0.2 | ||
No, not as yet but I plan to before my puppy is 16 weeks old (if applicable) | 0.0 | 12.1 | ||
Walking near traffic (total n = 4438; 2019 n = 918, 2020 n = 3520) | Yes | 85.0 | 78.0 | X2= 131.16 p< 0.001 |
No | 13.1 | 10.9 | ||
I’m not sure/can’t remember | 2.0 | 0.4 | ||
No, not as yet but I plan to before my puppy is 16 weeks old (if applicable) | 0.0 | 10.8 | ||
Meet any dogs from outside your household (total n = 4466; 2019 n = 922, 2020 n = 3544) | Yes | 80.4 | 76.3 | X2= 86.28 p< 0.001 |
No | 18.0 | 14.8 | ||
I’m not sure/can’t remember | 1.6 | 0.8 | ||
No, not as yet but I plan to before my puppy is 16 weeks old (if applicable) | 0.0 | 8.1 | ||
Fireworks (total n = 4394; 2019 n = 904, 2020 n = 3490) | Yes | 31.7 | 44.4 | X2= 132.01 p< 0.001 |
No | 61.3 | 50.8 | ||
I’m not sure/can’t remember | 7.0 | 1.9 | ||
No, not as yet but I plan to before my puppy is 16 weeks old (if applicable) | 0.0 | 2.9 | ||
Thunderstorms (total n = 4362; 2019 n = 900, 2020 n = 3462) | Yes | 28.0 | 30.9 | X2= 294.31 p< 0.001 |
No | 43.6 | 55.9 | ||
I’m not sure/can’t remember | 28.4 | 8.4 | ||
No, not as yet but I plan to before my puppy is 16 weeks old (if applicable) | 0.0 | 4.8 | ||
Dog groomer (total n = 4376; 2019 n = 898, 2020 n = 3478) | Yes | 19.9 | 20.2 | X2= 99.31 p< 0.001 |
No | 78.3 | 70.8 | ||
I’m not sure/can’t remember | 1.8 | 0.4 | ||
No, not as yet but I plan to before my puppy is 16 weeks old (if applicable) | 0.0 | 8.5 |
Did You or Someone in Your Household Attend Any Puppy Classes with Your Puppy before They Were 16 Weeks Old? (n = 5100) | Acquisition Year | |
---|---|---|
2019% (n = 1053) | 2020% (n = 4047) | |
Yes, in-person puppy classes | 67.9 | 28.9 |
No, I wanted to but there weren’t any classes running | 8.3 | 28.9 |
No, I do not intend to | 19.6 | 17.7 |
No, not as yet but I plan to before my puppy is 16 weeks old (if applicable) | 0.0 | 16.6 |
Yes, online puppy classes | 1.0 | 6.7 |
* No, I chose not to because I am a dog professional | 1.3 | 0.9 |
* No, I was unable to attend < 16 weeks due to my puppy’s circumstances (e.g., poor health, acquired close to 16 weeks) | 1.3 | 0.3 |
* No, my puppy died aged <16 weeks | 0.0 | 0.1 |
* No, I was unable to attend classes while my puppy was <16 weeks due to my own circumstances (e.g., health, work commitments) | 0.7 | 0.0 |
Variable | Category | Odds Ratio | 95% CI * | p Value | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Year of acquisition | 2019 | Reference | ||
2020 | 0.23 | 0.20 to 0.27 | <0.001 | ||
Dog demographics | Breed designation | Crossbred | Reference | ||
Purebred | 1.39 | 0.97 to 1.98 | 0.074 | ||
Designer Crossbred | 1.35 | 0.94 to 1.96 | 0.109 | ||
Typical adult bodyweight | ≤10 kg | 0.65 | 0.55 to 0.76 | <0.001 | |
10 to <20 kg | Reference | ||||
20 to <30 kg | 1.07 | 0.91 to 1.26 | 0.430 | ||
30 to <40 kg | 1.06 | 0.88 to 1.28 | 0.557 | ||
≥40 kg | 1.26 | 0.85 to 1.87 | 0.255 | ||
Dog sex | Male | Reference | |||
Female | 0.99 | 0.88 to 1.12 | 0.867 | ||
Neutered | No | Reference | |||
Yes | 1.12 | 0.97 to 1.29 | 0.120 | ||
Owner demographics | Owner age | 18 to 24 years old | 0.61 | 0.46 to 0.81 | <0.001 |
25 to 34 years old | Reference | ||||
35 to 44 years old | 1.23 | 1.01 to 1.50 | 0.037 | ||
45 to 54 years old | 1.21 | 1.01 to 1.46 | 0.045 | ||
55 to 64 years old | 1.04 | 0.85 to 1.28 | 0.709 | ||
65 to 74 years old | 0.87 | 0.66 to 1.15 | 0.334 | ||
75 years or older | 1.30 | 0.67 to 2.49 | 0.436 | ||
Owner gender | Female | Reference | |||
Male | 0.75 | 0.60 to 0.92 | 0.007 | ||
Other | 0.78 | 0.23 to 2.60 | 0.685 | ||
Live with children | No | Reference | |||
Yes | 0.86 | 0.74 to 0.99 | 0.042 | ||
Region | Scotland | Reference | |||
Northern Ireland | 0.32 | 0.13 to 0.77 | 0.011 | ||
Wales | 0.96 | 0.66 to 1.41 | 0.840 | ||
East of England | 2.12 | 1.63 to 2.75 | <0.001 | ||
East Midlands | 1.37 | 0.99 to 1.88 | 0.055 | ||
London | 1.59 | 1.19 to 2.11 | 0.001 | ||
North East | 1.34 | 0.93 to 1.94 | 0.121 | ||
North West | 1.19 | 0.88 to 1.63 | 0.261 | ||
South East | 1.74 | 1.35 to 2.25 | <0.001 | ||
South West | 1.67 | 1.26 to 2.20 | <0.001 | ||
West Midlands | 1.42 | 1.04 to 1.93 | 0.028 | ||
Yorkshire and The Humber | 1.22 | 0.90 to 1.66 | 0.202 | ||
Dog owning experience | Previously owned a dog | No | Reference | ||
Yes | 0.59 | 0.51 to 0.68 | <0.001 |
Does Your Puppy/Dog Currently Show Any of the Following Behaviours that You/Your Household Find Problematic? (n = 4426) | Acquisition Year | |
---|---|---|
2019% (n = 915) | 2020% (n = 3511) | |
Jumping up at people | 30.3 | 36.1 |
Mouthing | 9.7 | 33.1 |
Pulling on their lead | 38.6 | 31.0 |
Clinginess (e.g., following you, sitting close) | 19.8 | 23.7 |
Not coming back when called | 21.7 | 16.3 |
Barking or howling when left alone | 10.9 | 15.8 |
Chasing, e.g., cats, wildlife | 24.9 | 10.6 |
Toileting (weeing or pooing) in the house when left alone | 4.4 | 9.1 |
Barking at other dogs | 16.9 | 8.1 |
Anxiety/fear around unfamiliar people | 10.1 | 6.3 |
Fear of loud sounds (e.g., fireworks, thunderstorms) | 8.3 | 4.9 |
Anxiety/fear around other dogs | 6.8 | 4.3 |
Being destructive when left alone | 5.2 | 4.3 |
Guarding of food, toys, or other items | 4.9 | 2.8 |
Aggression towards people in your household (including you) | 0.9 | 1.0 |
Aggression towards unfamiliar people | 2.5 | 0.6 |
Aggression towards other dogs | 3.5 | 0.5 |
Anxiety/fear around people in your household (including you) | 0.5 | 0.3 |
Not applicable – I no longer have my puppy | 0.1 | 0.3 |
None of the above | 23.0 | 22.9 |
Have You Considered, or Have You Needed to, Rehome Your Puppy/Dog Since You Acquired Them? (n = 5094) | Acquisition Year | |
---|---|---|
2019% (n = 1050) | 2020% (n = 4044) | |
I still have my puppy/dog and have not considered rehoming them | 98.6 | 98.3 |
I still have my puppy/dog, but I have considered, or I am currently considering rehoming them | 0.9 | 1.2 |
Not applicable—my puppy/dog has passed away | 0.1 | 0.2 |
Not applicable—my puppy/dog was put to sleep | 0.2 | 0.1 |
I have rehomed my puppy/dog to another person/family | 0.2 | 0.0 |
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Brand, C.L.; O’Neill, D.G.; Belshaw, Z.; Pegram, C.L.; Stevens, K.B.; Packer, R.M.A. Pandemic Puppies: Demographic Characteristics, Health and Early Life Experiences of Puppies Acquired during the 2020 Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK. Animals 2022, 12, 629. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12050629
Brand CL, O’Neill DG, Belshaw Z, Pegram CL, Stevens KB, Packer RMA. Pandemic Puppies: Demographic Characteristics, Health and Early Life Experiences of Puppies Acquired during the 2020 Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK. Animals. 2022; 12(5):629. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12050629
Chicago/Turabian StyleBrand, Claire L., Dan G. O’Neill, Zoe Belshaw, Camilla L. Pegram, Kim B. Stevens, and Rowena M. A. Packer. 2022. "Pandemic Puppies: Demographic Characteristics, Health and Early Life Experiences of Puppies Acquired during the 2020 Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK" Animals 12, no. 5: 629. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12050629