A Quantitative Exploration of Australian Dog Breeders’ Breeding Goals, Puppy Rearing Practices and Approaches to Socialisation
Millions of puppies are welcomed into the homes of families around the world each year. However, understanding the ways in which puppies are bred and raised by their breeders, as well as the perspectives and perceptions underpinning these practices, is still in its infancy. The current study adminis...
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MDPI AG
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| author | Jessica K. Dawson Deanna L. Tepper Matthew B. Ruby Tiffani J. Howell Pauleen C. Bennett |
| author_facet | Jessica K. Dawson Deanna L. Tepper Matthew B. Ruby Tiffani J. Howell Pauleen C. Bennett |
| author_sort | Jessica K. Dawson |
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| description | Millions of puppies are welcomed into the homes of families around the world each year. However, understanding the ways in which puppies are bred and raised by their breeders, as well as the perspectives and perceptions underpinning these practices, is still in its infancy. The current study administered an online survey to 200 Australian dog breeders to investigate their breeding program characteristics, breeding dog selection, understanding of the importance of early experiences in puppyhood, and the extent and diversity of their puppy rearing and socialisation practices. Results indicated that breeders were motivated by breed improvement and producing dogs for themselves rather than providing companion dogs, despite most of their puppies being placed in companionship roles. The participating breeders also acknowledged the important role they play in shaping puppies’ behaviour and temperament, which was reflected in both their breeding dog selection and in their rearing and socialisation practices. The majority of breeders housed their litters within their residence for the initial weeks of life but the socialisation experiences they provided were variable in type and frequency. Longer-term breeders and those with larger, more intensive programs reported providing human-focused socialisation experiences less frequently, though the correlational nature of these findings require cautious interpretation. Whilst future research should endeavor to explore these results more comprehensively among a more diverse sample, these findings provide valuable insight into the breeding, rearing, and socialisation process undertaken by dog breeders in Australia. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1e059f55804842a4a7140c8a42d16c6d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-1e059f55804842a4a7140c8a42d16c6d2025-08-20T03:02:55ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-08-011515230210.3390/ani15152302A Quantitative Exploration of Australian Dog Breeders’ Breeding Goals, Puppy Rearing Practices and Approaches to SocialisationJessica K. Dawson0Deanna L. Tepper1Matthew B. Ruby2Tiffani J. Howell3Pauleen C. Bennett4Anthrozoology Research Group, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, AustraliaAnthrozoology Research Group, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, AustraliaSchool of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, AustraliaAnthrozoology Research Group, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, AustraliaAnthrozoology Research Group, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, AustraliaMillions of puppies are welcomed into the homes of families around the world each year. However, understanding the ways in which puppies are bred and raised by their breeders, as well as the perspectives and perceptions underpinning these practices, is still in its infancy. The current study administered an online survey to 200 Australian dog breeders to investigate their breeding program characteristics, breeding dog selection, understanding of the importance of early experiences in puppyhood, and the extent and diversity of their puppy rearing and socialisation practices. Results indicated that breeders were motivated by breed improvement and producing dogs for themselves rather than providing companion dogs, despite most of their puppies being placed in companionship roles. The participating breeders also acknowledged the important role they play in shaping puppies’ behaviour and temperament, which was reflected in both their breeding dog selection and in their rearing and socialisation practices. The majority of breeders housed their litters within their residence for the initial weeks of life but the socialisation experiences they provided were variable in type and frequency. Longer-term breeders and those with larger, more intensive programs reported providing human-focused socialisation experiences less frequently, though the correlational nature of these findings require cautious interpretation. Whilst future research should endeavor to explore these results more comprehensively among a more diverse sample, these findings provide valuable insight into the breeding, rearing, and socialisation process undertaken by dog breeders in Australia.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/15/2302breeder demographicsdog health and behaviour screeningdog temperament |
| spellingShingle | Jessica K. Dawson Deanna L. Tepper Matthew B. Ruby Tiffani J. Howell Pauleen C. Bennett A Quantitative Exploration of Australian Dog Breeders’ Breeding Goals, Puppy Rearing Practices and Approaches to Socialisation Animals breeder demographics dog health and behaviour screening dog temperament |
| title | A Quantitative Exploration of Australian Dog Breeders’ Breeding Goals, Puppy Rearing Practices and Approaches to Socialisation |
| title_full | A Quantitative Exploration of Australian Dog Breeders’ Breeding Goals, Puppy Rearing Practices and Approaches to Socialisation |
| title_fullStr | A Quantitative Exploration of Australian Dog Breeders’ Breeding Goals, Puppy Rearing Practices and Approaches to Socialisation |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Quantitative Exploration of Australian Dog Breeders’ Breeding Goals, Puppy Rearing Practices and Approaches to Socialisation |
| title_short | A Quantitative Exploration of Australian Dog Breeders’ Breeding Goals, Puppy Rearing Practices and Approaches to Socialisation |
| title_sort | quantitative exploration of australian dog breeders breeding goals puppy rearing practices and approaches to socialisation |
| topic | breeder demographics dog health and behaviour screening dog temperament |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/15/2302 |
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