Attitudes of Finnish dog-owners about programs to control canine genetic diseases.
A mailed questionnaire survey was done to study dog-owners' knowledge of canine inherited diseases and the present screening and control programs in Finland, as well as to study the importance of health-related matters and well-being to dog-owners. The purpose was also to study the owners' role in programs and the influence of health and well-being in their decision-making process and choices when purchasing a puppy. This study showed that dog-owners highly valued health-related matters and well-being. The present programs were considered to have a positive effect on the prevention of canine inherited diseases. Dog-owners estimated that their own knowledge could be better but they believed in veterinarians' and dog-breeders' ability to inform them. Inherited skeletal and ocular diseases were thought to be important to canine well-being; the importance of other diseases or behaviour problems was assessed to be lower. In choosing a suitable breed, behaviour and temperament were the most-important factors but health-related matters were essential in actually choosing a puppy's breeder and the litter. Well-being and health were also considered very important to the image of the dog hobby.
Leppänen
M
M
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Helsinki, Yliopisto, Finland. minna.leppanen@helsinki.fi
Paloheimo
A
A
Saloniemi
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D003657:Decision Making; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000662:veterinary*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010067:Ownership; D010375:Pedigree