Puppy acquisition: factors associated with acquiring a puppy under eight weeks of age and without viewing the mother

• Published in: Veterinary record Vol. 187; no. 3; p. 112
• Main Authors: Kinsman, Rachel H, Casey, Rachel A, Knowles, Toby G, Tasker, Séverine, Lord, Michelle S, Da Costa, Rosa E P, Woodward, Joshua L, Murray, Jane K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Limited 08.08.2020; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; BMJ Publishing Group
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age; Age Factors; Aged; Animal Welfare; Animals; canine behaviour; canine health; Dogs; Ethics; Female; Humans; Longitudinal studies; longitudinal study; Male; Middle Aged; Mothers; Original Research; Ownership - statistics & numerical data; Prospective Studies; puppy acquisition; Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Studies; United Kingdom; Veterinary colleges; Veterinary medicine; welfare; Young Adult; United Kingdom; United Kingdom > UK; England; longitudinal study; puppy acquisition; welfare; canine behaviour; canine health
• ISSN: 0042-4900; 2042-7670
• DOI: 10.1136/vr.105789

BackgroundPuppy acquisition decisions may impact upon the health and behaviour of these dogs in later life. It is widely recommended by welfare organisations and veterinary bodies that puppies should not leave maternal care until at least eight weeks (56 days) of age, and that when acquiring a puppy it should be viewed with its mother.MethodsOwner-reported prospective data were used to explore risk factors for puppy acquisition age, and whether the mother was viewed during acquisition, within a cohort of dog owners participating in an ongoing longitudinal project.ResultsA quarter (461/1844) of puppies were acquired under eight weeks of age and 8.1 per cent were obtained without viewing the mother (n=149). Only 1.6 per cent of puppies were obtained under eight weeks of age and without the mother being seen (n=30). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that owners who intended their puppy to be a working dog, visited their puppy prior to acquisition, and/or obtained a puppy of unknown breed composition had increased odds of acquiring a puppy under eight weeks of age. The odds also increased as the number of dogs in the household increased but decreased as annual income rose. Owners who visited their puppy prior to acquisition, obtained a Kennel Club registered puppy, viewed the puppy’s father, and/or collected their puppy from the breeder’s home had decreased odds of acquiring a puppy without viewing the mother.ConclusionTargeting interventions towards identified owners who are more likely to acquire a puppy against current recommendations could help reduce these types of acquisitions.