Dogs are a common domesticated pet around the world and there is a pleather of reasons behind their ownership, including for protection, support, social interactions and reducing loneliness. However, minimal research has been conducted surrounding the decision-making process behind adoption and it has been highlighted the lack of understanding humans have of dogs, particularly surrounding their facial expressions and body language. Therefore, the present study is an exploration of the factors that can affect the rates of dog adoption with the inclusion of the XL bully’s due to its recent portrayal in the media. Hence, a volunteer sample of 101 participants completed an online survey in which they had to answer yes or no to hypothetical dog adoption questions. The stimuli used were perceived aggressive dog breeds (American Staffordshire Terrier, English bulldog, Alsatian, Chow Chow, Siberian Huskey, Boxer, Doberman Pincher, and Bull Terrier), perceived family-friendly dog breeds (Cocker Spaniel, Pug, Labradoodle, Basset Hound, Scottish Terrier, Poodle, Labrador, and Border Collie) and XL bullies. These questions were also then provided with positive or negative contextual information. The data was then statistically analysed using a repeated measures ANOVA. There were significant effects for breed, context, and children as well as a significant interaction between breed and context and context and children. The findings from this study thus imply that the adoption process is complex, and this baseline understanding can inform more beneficial strategies for animal shelters to increase the rates of dog adoption, with important consideration of the significant factors of breed, context, and parenthood.
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