Pandemic Puppies: Characterising Motivations and Behaviours of UK Owners Who Purchased Puppies during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic
Abstract
:Simple Summary
Abstract
1. Introduction
- (i)
- describe the pre-purchase motivations and behaviours and purchase behaviours of owners of puppies purchased 23 March–31 December 2020;
- (ii)
- compare data from (i) with the motivations and behaviours of owners of puppies purchased during the same date frame in 2019.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Survey Design and Content
2.2. Participant Recruitment
Inclusion Criteria
- Be over 18 years of age
- Resident in the UK
- Have brought home a puppy aged under 16 weeks at any date during 2019 or 2020 (N.B. although all puppy purchases in 2019–2020 were eligible for the broader project, responses analysed in this study were limited to owners who brought home their puppy between 23 March–31 December during 2019 or 2020).
- Have purchased their puppy rather than rehomed or bred the puppy themselves.
2.3. Data Cleaning
2.4. Spatial Analysis
2.5. Qualitative Content Analysis of Free-Text Options
2.6. Quantitative Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Spatial Analysis
3.2. Owner Demographics and Lifestyle
3.2.1. Experience with Dogs
3.2.2. Household Demographics
3.2.3. Impact of COVID on Household Lifestyle
3.3. Puppy Demographics
3.4. Owner Demographics and Lifestyle: Multivariable Analysis
3.5. Pre-Purchase Motivations
Pre-Purchase Motivations: Multivariable Analysis
3.6. Pre-Purchase Behaviours
Pre-Purchase Behaviours: Multivariable Analysis
3.7. Purchase Behaviours
Purchasing Behaviours: Multivariable Analysis
3.8. Influence of COVID on Puppy-Purchasing Decisions in 2020
4. Discussion
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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Variable | Category | Odds Ratio | 95% CI * | p-Value |
---|---|---|---|---|
Children in Household | Yes | 1.27 | 1.10 to 1.49 | 0.002 |
No | Reference | |||
Previous dog ownership | Yes | 0.80 | 0.69 to 0.93 | 0.004 |
No | Reference | |||
Furloughed | Yes | 0.77 | 0.66 to 0.89 | 0.001 |
No | Reference | |||
Employed in veterinary/animal care sector | Yes | 0.55 | 0.46 to 0.74 | <0.001 |
No | Reference |
Reason (n = 5508) | Acquisition Year | Statistics | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 (%) (n = 1148) | 2020 (%) (n = 4360) | X2 | p-Value | |
Companionship for myself | 64.5 | 64.7 | 0.01 | 0.911 |
To encourage myself/my family to walk and exercise | 47.6 | 53.6 | 12.91 | <0.001 |
To improve my/my family’s mental health | 38.1 | 46.9 | 28.52 | <0.001 |
Companionship for other adult(s) in my household | 34.8 | 37.0 | 1.91 | 0.167 |
Due to the loss of a previous dog in my household | 30.8 | 28.6 | 2.30 | 0.130 |
Companionship for my children | 19.1 | 24.0 | 12.51 | <0.001 |
To keep me/my family busy | 22.8 | 23.7 | 0.40 | 0.526 |
Companionship for my other dog(s) | 25.7 | 19.9 | 18.28 | <0.001 |
As a working dog for a specific role (e.g., gundog, security, sniffer/tracking, herding, medical detection, assistance/therapy dog) | 10.4 | 7.9 | 7.40 | 0.007 |
For a specific non-working role (e.g., dog sports, showing, etc.) | 8.1 | 4.1 | 30.44 | <0.001 |
Due to the ageing of another dog/other pet in my household | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.42 | 0.516 |
For breeding | 1.1 | 0.6 | 3.71 | 0.054 |
Due to the death of another (non-dog) pet in my household | 0.2 | 0.4 | 1.64 | 0.201 |
Companionship for my other (non-dog) pets | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.527 | 0.468 |
Characteristic (n = 5404) | Acquisition Year | Statistics | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 (%) (n = 1123) | 2020 (%) (n = 4281) | X2 | p-Value | |
Good companion | 67.9 | 70.8 | 3.63 | 0.057 |
Size suited to my lifestyle | 59.1 | 64.9 | 13.00 | <0.001 |
Generally healthy breed/crossbreed | 45.3 | 48.4 | 3.42 | 0.064 |
Good with children | 38.7 | 47.9 | 29.84 | <0.001 |
Easy to train | 34.7 | 43.3 | 27.11 | <0.001 |
Appearance/looks | 39.3 | 39.7 | 0.08 | 0.777 |
I’ve owned this breed or crossbreed before | 40.1 | 33.0 | 19.66 | <0.001 |
Exercise encouragement | 29.9 | 33.0 | 3.76 | 0.053 |
Friends or family currently own this breed/crossbreed | 19.8 | 24.0 | 8.83 | 0.003 |
I grew up with or had childhood experiences with this breed/crossbreed | 18.5 | 18.8 | 0.03 | 0.857 |
Hypoallergenic | 15.2 | 18.0 | 4.64 | 0.031 |
Low grooming needs | 14.2 | 16.4 | 3.47 | 0.063 |
Long life expectancy | 15.9 | 14.2 | 1.94 | 0.163 |
Working ability of the breed/crossbreed | 17.5 | 13.2 | 14.19 | <0.001 |
Affordable purchase cost of puppies | 8.4 | 9.3 | 0.88 | 0.349 |
Affordable cost of upkeep | 7.7 | 8.0 | 0.15 | 0.696 |
Low exercise requirements | 5.0 | 5.5 | 0.52 | 0.469 |
Popularity of the breed/crossbreed | 4.9 | 4.4 | 0.583 | 0.445 |
Other perceived temperament/personality traits | 3.8 | 3.2 | 0.93 | 0.336 |
None of these options—I did not have any specific characteristics I was looking for | 3.2 | 1.6 | 12.33 | <0.001 |
I’ve always wanted to own this breed/crossbreed | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.08 | 0.772 |
Low or non-shedding | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.03 | 0.310 |
Specific genetic characteristics of the breed/crossbreed | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.40 | 0.530 |
Celebrity/Influencer endorsement/ownership | 0.4 | 0.1 | 3.07 | 0.080 |
None of these options—someone else in the household selected the breed/crossbreed of our puppy | 0.3 | 0.1 | 2.08 | 0.150 |
Breeder Characteristic (n = 5279) | Acquisition Year | Statistics | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 (%) (n = 1101) | 2020 (%) (n = 4178) | X2 | p-Value | |
They would allow me to see the puppies’ mother (dam) | 90.5 | 88.9 | 2.29 | 0.130 |
Someone I felt cared for their dogs | 81.7 | 84.6 | 5.76 | 0.016 |
Someone I felt was trustworthy | 79.2 | 78.9 | 0.03 | 0.860 |
Good communication with me | 74.2 | 78.8 | 10.62 | 0.001 |
They performed health tests for the breed/crossbreed I wanted | 66.9 | 62.1 | 8.90 | 0.003 |
They would allow me to see the puppies’ father (sire) | 44.2 | 42.1 | 1.69 | 0.193 |
Availability of the breed I wanted | 39.2 | 41.8 | 2.43 | 0.119 |
Lived within the distance I was willing to travel | 37.5 | 40.5 | 3.34 | 0.067 |
Availability of puppies at the time I wanted | 38.3 | 40.1 | 1.13 | 0.288 |
Reasonably priced puppies | 35.5 | 36.3 | 0.25 | 0.614 |
Bred the colour of the breed/crossbreed I wanted to purchase | 21.0 | 21.8 | 0.31 | 0.578 |
A member of the Kennel Club Assured Breeders Scheme | 25.2 | 20.2 | 12.54 | 0.001 |
The dogs they bred from had been awarded prizes at dog shows | 11.3 | 8.2 | 10.25 | 0.001 |
Someone I already knew | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.011 | 0.916 |
Registered with the local Council | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.144 | 0.704 |
They bred dogs with specific working and/or sporting characteristics | 1.0 | 0.6 | 2.74 | 0.098 |
They were a member of a specific breed/crossbreed club or association | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.24 | 0.627 |
They registered their puppies with an international canine registration body (e.g., FCI) | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.79 | 0.374 |
Question | Variable | Category | Odds Ratio | 95% CI * | p-Value |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Motivation for a dog | Companionship for other adult(s) in my household | Yes | 0.83 | 0.69 to 0.98 | 0.036 |
No | Reference | ||||
To improve my/my family’s mental health | Yes | 1.22 | 1.04 to 1.43 | 0.014 | |
No | Reference | ||||
Specific non-working role | Yes | 0.69 | 0.52 to 0.93 | 0.014 | |
No | Reference | ||||
Household driver for dog | Responding owner alone the main driver of puppy purchase | Yes | 0.82 | 0.70 to 0.95 | 0.008 |
No | Reference | ||||
Motivation for breed | Friends/family own | Yes | 1.22 | 1.02 to 1.47 | 0.034 |
No | Reference | ||||
Good with children | Yes | 1.33 | 1.14 to 1.56 | 0.001 | |
No | Reference | ||||
Size suits lifestyle | Yes | 1.17 | 1.01 to 1.36 | 0.049 | |
No | Reference | ||||
Easy to train | Yes | 1.24 | 1.06 to 1.45 | 0.008 | |
No | Reference | ||||
Desirable characteristics of breeder | Good communication | Yes | 1.34 | 1.12 to 1.60 | 0.001 |
No | Reference | ||||
Did health tests | Yes | 0.76 | 0.64 to 0.89 | 0.001 | |
No | Reference | ||||
Member of KC ABS | Yes | 0.75 | 0.63 to 0.89 | 0.001 | |
No | Reference |
Information Source (n = 3362) | Acquisition Year | Statistics | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 (%) (n = 591) | 2020 (%) (n = 2771) | X2 | p-Value | |
Talking to friends or family who own or had owned a dog | 54.8 | 65.3 | 23.15 | <0.001 |
A breed/crossbreed-specific online resource (e.g., website/forum) | 54.8 | 60.1 | 5.51 | 0.019 |
The Kennel Club website | 50.6 | 54.2 | 2.61 | 0.106 |
Talking to a dog breeder | 53.6 | 49.7 | 2.98 | 0.084 |
Social media sites, e.g., Facebook, Instagram | 43.5 | 47.2 | 2.65 | 0.103 |
An animal charity website, e.g., Dogs Trust, RSPCA, PDSA, etc. | 28.8 | 45.0 | 52.89 | <0.001 |
Book(s) | 30.1 | 35.0 | 5.25 | 0.022 |
My veterinary professional (e.g., veterinary surgeon, veterinary nurse) | 14.0 | 11.3 | 3.44 | 0.064 |
Dog-specific magazine(s) | 6.4 | 5.4 | 1.03 | 0.311 |
Other digital sources (e.g., articles on the internet, TV shows) | 3.7 | 3.2 | 0.40 | 0.528 |
Talking to a non-veterinary animal professional (e.g., dog trainer, behaviourist) | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.01 | 0.946 |
Talking to current dog owners that I met (that were not friends or family) | 2.4 | 1.0 | 7.29 | 0.007 |
I can’t remember | 0.8 | 0.3 | 3.19 | 0.074 |
From professional experience with dogs in my workplace | 0.7 | 0.3 | 1.57 | 0.211 |
Seeking practical experience of caring for dogs (e.g., dog sitting, fostering) | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.02 | 0.887 |
Method of Initially Finding Puppy (n = 5277) | Acquisition Year | Statistics | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 (%) (n = 1100) | 2020 (%) (n = 4177) | X2 | p-Value | |
An animal specific selling website, e.g., Pets4Homes, Champdogs | 34.5 | 45.0 | 32.64 | <0.001 |
I already knew the breeder (e.g., colleague, friends, family, repeat purchase) | 26.8 | 19.8 | 25.82 | <0.001 |
Recommendation from a friend | 11.5 | 14.3 | 5.73 | 0.017 |
The Kennel Club website ‘Find A Puppy’ search | 16.9 | 11.8 | 20.01 | <0.001 |
A general selling website, e.g., FreeAds, Gumtree, Preloved | 9.3 | 9.3 | 0.01 | 0.948 |
A social media breed/crossbreed specific group | 8.5 | 8.4 | 0.01 | 0.977 |
The breeder’s website | 8.7 | 7.6 | 1.43 | 0.232 |
The breeder’s social media account | 6.5 | 6.0 | 0.52 | 0.471 |
Recommendation from another breeder/stud dog owner | 1.2 | 2.0 | 3.32 | 0.069 |
Recommendation from someone who is not a colleague, friend, family member or animal professional | 1.9 | 1.6 | 0.68 | 0.411 |
Dog specific magazine(s)/newspaper(s) | 0.3 | 0.6 | 1.37 | 0.242 |
An advert seen in another online location | 0.6 | 0.3 | 3.56 | 0.059 |
The breeder contacted me directly following general expression of interest for a puppy | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.14 | 0.285 |
Local newspaper advert | 0.0 | 0.2 | 2.37 | 0.123 |
Recommendation from an animal professional (e.g., veterinary surgeon, veterinary nurse, dog trainer) | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.01 | 0.919 |
Recommendation from a stranger | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.01 | 0.947 |
An advert in a local shop | 0.1 | 0.0 | 1.03 | 0.310 |
A physical advert in another location (e.g., vets noticeboard) | 0.2 | 0.0 | 7.60 | 0.006 |
Viewing Practice (n = 5280) | Acquisition Year | Statistics | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 (%) (n = 1100) | 2020 (%) (n = 4180) | X2 | p-Value | |
Yes—visited the breeder’s property in person | 80.6 | 59.6 | 164.63 | <0.001 |
Yes—saw photos or a pre-recorded video of my/our puppy | 31.2 | 51.6 | 142.23 | <0.001 |
Yes—saw my/our puppy on a live video call with their breeder | 6.5 | 28.9 | 235.18 | <0.001 |
No—I did not ask to see my/our puppy | 4.7 | 4.9 | 0.04 | 0.842 |
No—the purchase was a rapid decision, so my puppy was brought home on the same day they were viewed | 5.1 | 2.7 | 16.45 | <0.001 |
No—I was unable to visit due to the breeder being too far away to travel to | 1.7 | 2.0 | 0.60 | 0.437 |
No—I wanted to see my/our puppy, but the breeder refused | 0.1 | 1.1 | 9.73 | 0.002 |
No—but a friend/relative visited the breeder’s property on my behalf | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.70 | 0.402 |
Yes—I saw my puppy in person but not at the breeder’s property | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.05 | 0.306 |
No—I only spoke to the breeder by telephone | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.04 | 0.833 |
No—I asked to visit but personal circumstances meant I was unable to visit myself or get someone else to visit on my behalf | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.29 | 0.590 |
First Choice Breed? (n = 5374) | Year | |
---|---|---|
2019 (%) (n = 1118) | 2020 (%) (n = 4256) | |
Yes | 91.6 | 86.6 |
No, I could not find a seller that had puppies available at the time for my first choice | 1.2 | 3.8 |
No, first choice too expensive | 0.8 | 2.8 |
No, I/we didn’t have a specific choice in mind | 3.0 | 2.7 |
No, I could not find a breeder I felt happy buying my puppy from for my first choice | 0.4 | 1.3 |
No, I/we changed our mind | 1.0 | 0.8 |
No, I/we wanted a rescue dog but were unable to source one | 0.4 | 0.7 |
No, but I had several breeds (≤3) I was interested in and got one of them | 0.4 | 0.3 |
No, puppies of my first choice were too far away | 0.3 | 0.2 |
No, our planned purchase of our first choice fell through | 0.3 | 0.2 |
No, but I had several breeds (>3) that I was interested in and got one of those | 0.6 | 0.5 |
Question | Variable | Category | Odds Ratio | 95% CI * | p-Value |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pre-purchase research | Research conducted | Yes | 1.49 | 1.01 to 2.20 | 0.044 |
No | Reference | ||||
Sources of pre-purchase information | Charity website | Yes | 1.98 | 1.56 to 2.51 | <0.001 |
No | Reference | ||||
Family/friends | Yes | 1.51 | 1.18 to 1.93 | 0.001 | |
No | Reference | ||||
Owners of breed—strangers | Yes | 0.36 | 0.17 to 0.79 | 0.011 | |
No | Reference | ||||
Find breeder | KC website | Yes | 0.56 | 0.43 to 0.74 | <0.001 |
No | Reference | ||||
Viewing puppy prior to purchase | Visited in person | Yes | 0.24 | 0.11 to 0.53 | <0.001 |
No | Reference | ||||
Live video calls | Yes | 3.42 | 2.21 to 5.30 | <0.001 | |
No | Reference | ||||
Video and photo recordings | Yes | 1.46 | 1.15 to 1.85 | 0.002 | |
No | Reference | ||||
Number of visits to breeder (n) | 0.89 | 0.83 to 0.96 | 0.001 |
Location (n = 5280) | Acquisition Year | Statistics | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 (n = 1100) | 2020 (n = 4180) | X2 | p-Value | |
The breeder’s property—from inside their home | 84.7 | 51.0 | 407.7 | <0.001 |
The breeder’s property—from outside their home, e.g., doorstep, garden | 5.5 | 29.8 | 277.0 | <0.001 |
The breeder’s property—an outdoor kennels, barn or outbuilding | 13.2 | 14.8 | 1.92 | 0.166 |
The breeder delivered my puppy to my property | 1.0 | 5.2 | 36.76 | <0.001 |
A service station | 0.0 | 1.4 | 15.97 | <0.001 |
A car park | 0.3 | 1.1 | 6.490 | 0.011 |
A courier/pet transporter delivered my puppy to my property | 0.5 | 0.9 | 1.87 | 0.172 |
Breeder/courier met us half way (location unspecified) | 0.1 | 0.5 | 3.30 | 0.069 |
The breeder’s workplace or non-residential property (e.g., holiday home) | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.41 | 0.520 |
A veterinary practice | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.71 | 0.398 |
Other transport location (e.g., train station or ferry port) | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.85 | 0.174 |
Other public location (e.g., park, shop, hotel) | 0.0 | 0.2 | 2.37 | 0.123 |
An airport | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.06 | 0.801 |
A lay-by | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.790 | 0.374 |
A friend collected and delivered my puppy for me | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.28 | 0.594 |
Test Type | Request and Provision of Information | Acquisition Year | |
---|---|---|---|
2019 (%) (n = 908) | 2020 (%) (n = 3509) | ||
Results of DNA (genetic) tests (n = 4296) | Yes, and they provided me with it | 48.5 | 40.7 |
Yes, but they could not provide me with it | 2.6 | 4.3 | |
No, I did not ask about this | 41.0 | 46.7 | |
No, I do not believe there are any tests available for my puppy’s breed/crossbreed | 8.0 | 8.2 | |
Results of veterinary screening tests (e.g., hips, elbows, knees, eyes, respiratory testing) (n = 4394) | Yes, and they provided me with it | 58.1 | 46.4 |
Yes, but they could not provide me with it | 3.7 | 4.8 | |
No, I did not ask about this | 30.8 | 41.2 | |
No, I do not believe there are any tests available for my puppy’s breed/crossbreed | 7.4 | 7.6 |
Other Dogs and Their Relationship to the Purchased Puppy (n = 5168) | Acquisition Year | Statistics | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 (n = 1073) | 2020 (n = 4095) | X2 | p-Value | |
Their mother (dam) | 85.7 | 75.1 | 54.74 | <0.001 |
Their littermates | 84.9 | 72.1 | 74.21 | <0.001 |
Another dog(s) they were not related to (e.g., another breed) | 33.2 | 25.7 | 23.88 | <0.001 |
Their father (sire) | 26.9 | 23.5 | 5.41 | 0.020 |
I only saw my/our puppy | 4.9 | 12.7 | 52.42 | <0.001 |
Adult dog(s) they were related to (e.g., aunts, grandparents, older siblings) | 8.6 | 5.5 | 13.74 | <0.001 |
Other puppies (unsure if they were littermates) | 4.3 | 2.8 | 6.40 | 0.011 |
I’m not sure, I wasn’t the person who collected my/our puppy | 0.2 | 0.9 | 5.84 | 0.016 |
Other puppies my puppy was related to (but not littermates) | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.32 | 0.572 |
I don’t remember | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.01 | 0.953 |
Another adult dog(s) the breeder claimed were my puppy’s parent(s), but I’m not sure | 0.3 | 0.1 | 1.36 | 0.243 |
Other puppies they were not related to (e.g., another breed) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.26 | 0.609 |
Reason (n = 689) | Acquisition Year | Statistics | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 (%) (n = 151) | 2020 (%) (n = 538) | X2 | p Value | |
I didn’t feel it was needed for the sale of my puppy as I was confident in my own purchasing decision | 21.9 | 28.2 | 0.42 | 0.120 |
The breeder did not offer to use The Puppy Contract | 20.5 | 22.4 | 0.25 | 0.615 |
I used a written contract with the breeder, but not The Puppy Contract | 15.9 | 12.4 | 1.24 | 0.266 |
I didn’t feel it was needed, as the breeder is a friend, family member or someone I’ve bought a puppy from before | 13.9 | 10.2 | 1.65 | 0.199 |
I didn’t know enough or feel confident enough about The Puppy Contract to use it | 7.2 | 6.3 | 0.19 | 0.667 |
I forgot to use it when purchasing my puppy | 2.6 | 6.1 | 2.80 | 0.94 |
I didn’t think it was relevant and/or possible for the sale of my puppy | 7.3 | 5.6 | 0.62 | 0.430 |
The breeder didn’t agree to use The Puppy Contract when asked | 0.7 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 0.046 |
I used a verbal contract with the breeder, but not The Puppy Contract: | 2.6 | 2.2 | 0.09 | 0.760 |
I felt uncomfortable proposing its use and/or feared repercussions of suggesting it | 0.7 | 2.0 | 1.31 | 0.251 |
I have negative views on the value of The Puppy Contract | 2.0 | 0.9 | 1.16 | 0.283 |
Question | Variable | Category | Odds Ratio | 95% CI * | p-Value |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pre-purchase deposit | Deposit | No—I wasn’t asked | 0.79 | 0.57 to 1.08 | 0.785 |
No—there was no time | 0.49 | 0.20 to 1.20 | 0.117 | ||
Yes—after I saw my puppy | 0.70 | 0.61 to 0.94 | 0.020 | ||
Yes—before I saw my puppy | Reference | ||||
Cost of puppy | Purchase price | Under £500 | 0.01 | 0.01 to 0.02 | <0.001 |
£500–999 | 0.02 | 0.01 to 0.03 | <0.001 | ||
£1000–1499 | 0.04 | 0.02 to 0.06 | <0.001 | ||
£1499–1999 | 0.12 | 0.06 to 0.21 | <0.001 | ||
>£2000 | Reference | ||||
Age when brought home | Age | Under 6 weeks | 1.98 | 0.36 to 11.02 | 0.432 |
7 to 8 weeks | 3.30 | 2.03 to 5.37 | <0.001 | ||
9 to 10 weeks | 1.95 | 1.18 to 3.21 | 0.009 | ||
11 to 12 weeks | 0.89 | 0.51 to 1.57 | 0.089 | ||
13 to 16 weeks | Reference | ||||
Health tests | Screening tests | Yes, and they provided me with it | 0.37 | 0.30 to 0.45 | <0.001 |
Yes, but they couldn’t provide it | 0.43 | 0.26 to 0.70 | <0.001 | ||
No, I do not believe there are any tests available | 0.96 | 0.67 to 1.37 | 0.830 | ||
No, I did not ask about this | Reference | ||||
Collect puppy | Inside at breeders | Yes | 0.30 | 0.23 to 0.39 | <0.001 |
No | Reference | ||||
Garden at breeders | Yes | 4.73 | 3.20 to 7.00 | <0.001 | |
No | Reference | ||||
Breeder delivered | Yes | 6.85 | 2.68 to 17.51 | <0.001 | |
No | Reference | ||||
Who puppy was with | Saw littermates | Yes | 0.72 | 0.56 to 0.93 | 0.011 |
No | Reference |
Reason (n = 2809) | % | n |
---|---|---|
I/we had more time to care for a dog | 86.7 | 1378 |
I/we wanted something happy to focus on | 30.0 | 477 |
I/we wanted a reason to go outside to exercise more | 29.6 | 470 |
I/we wanted more company due to being at home more | 24.5 | 390 |
I/we had extra money to spend that I/we would have usually spent on other things | 17.7 | 282 |
I/we wanted more company as family and/or friends were unable to visit me/us | 9.1 | 144 |
I/we were bored due to the restrictions imposed by lockdown | 4.3 | 69 |
My child/children were at home and I/we wanted something to keep them busy | 4.1 | 65 |
I/we experienced mental health challenges due to the pandemic, that I/we wanted a puppy to help us with | 0.9 | 15 |
I/we wanted a dog from another source (e.g., rescue) but were unable to due to pandemic, so bought a puppy instead | 0.8 | 13 |
My/our existing dog experienced mental health challenges due to the pandemic, that I/we wanted a puppy to help them with | 0.1 | 2 |
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Packer, R.M.A.; Brand, C.L.; Belshaw, Z.; Pegram, C.L.; Stevens, K.B.; O’Neill, D.G. Pandemic Puppies: Characterising Motivations and Behaviours of UK Owners Who Purchased Puppies during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic. Animals 2021, 11, 2500. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092500
Packer RMA, Brand CL, Belshaw Z, Pegram CL, Stevens KB, O’Neill DG. Pandemic Puppies: Characterising Motivations and Behaviours of UK Owners Who Purchased Puppies during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic. Animals. 2021; 11(9):2500. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092500
Chicago/Turabian StylePacker, Rowena M. A., Claire L. Brand, Zoe Belshaw, Camilla L. Pegram, Kim B. Stevens, and Dan G. O’Neill. 2021. "Pandemic Puppies: Characterising Motivations and Behaviours of UK Owners Who Purchased Puppies during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic" Animals 11, no. 9: 2500. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092500
APA StylePacker, R. M. A., Brand, C. L., Belshaw, Z., Pegram, C. L., Stevens, K. B., & O’Neill, D. G. (2021). Pandemic Puppies: Characterising Motivations and Behaviours of UK Owners Who Purchased Puppies during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic. Animals, 11(9), 2500. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092500