A new voice for the profession

Re: A new voice for the profession

Anthony Todd — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:33:42 GMT

Arlo, look at the "why do we do it thread"

Re: A new voice for the profession

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:35:44 GMT

[quote user="Rob Davis"]Would it be useful to compare the breeds which vets own with a control group, ie the proportions of different breeds owner by the general public? [/quote]

I was thinking the same, and have found a list of the most popular breeds in 2010 according to KC registration.

Re: A new voice for the profession

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:29:06 GMT

Patients Definitely Cavaliers are the most popular I'm not sure whether that is because they suit a suburban environment

Wynne

Re: A new voice for the profession

Rob Davis — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:38:53 GMT

Would it be useful to compare the breeds which vets own with a control group, ie the proportions of different breeds owner by the general public? I assume the Kennel Club must have information on numbers of registered dogs of each breed, though obviously this will not include cross breeds or those not registered with the KC.

We all hold a huge amount of data on our computer systems about the ownership of different breeds, although some breeds will undoubtably come to the vets more frequently than others, so our data is likely to be skewed. Perhaps looking at breeds of puppy coming in for vaccinations would give a more reliable control group?

Re: A new voice for the profession

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:04:14 GMT

My 2 dogs are both rescues-lovely animals which I couldn't PTS so offered rehoming instead Labrador with hip dysplasia despite both parents being fit working dogs, and Westie (skin-surprise surprise ) I've previously had a brain-damaged collie (honest-he was found by the RSPCA wandering along the side of the motorway with his head to one side-labyrinthitis ) and although not hyperactive was as thick as 2 short planks

Wynne

Re: A new voice for the profession

CatherineThomas — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:12:40 GMT

[quote user="alex gough"]

You tend to choose dogs you buy, whereas rescues tend to choose you!

[/quote]

Not necessarily. I chose a rescue greyhound. I've always had greyhounds or lurchers and would recommend them to anyone.

Re: A new voice for the profession

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:49:26 GMT

[quote user="alex gough"]I think it would be useful to have the top breeds split by rescue or non-rescue. You tend to choose dogs you buy, whereas rescues tend to choose you![/quote]

Good idea, thanks Alex!

Re: A new voice for the profession

Alex Gough — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:45:33 GMT

[quote user="David Mills"]

Labradors are interesting given I've heard a lot of orthopods thinking all are born with elbow dysplasia as standard and the myriad of problems they can get anyway...I suppose its very similar to a higher % of doctor smokers than % of population smokers. Best thing to do with advice is pass it on, after all.

[/quote]

Labs have a huge list of problems, but they are a very popular breed. The incidence of disease per dog may be lower than many other breeds (although who knows - we may get answers to this in the near future with certain projects running). Personally as an owner and a vet I find Labs to be reasonably healthy overall.

Alex

Re: A new voice for the profession

Alex Gough — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:43:24 GMT

I think it would be useful to have the top breeds split by rescue or non-rescue. You tend to choose dogs you buy, whereas rescues tend to choose you!

Re: A new voice for the profession

Claire Godfrey — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:32:04 GMT

Or do Vets end up with the collies because they can see other people struggling with them?

Ours came from my mother-in-law (she was advised not to get him!)

Maybe we also like a challenge? Four years later I have a (mainly) happy dog.

Re: A new voice for the profession

David Mills — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:23:12 GMT

Re: A new voice for the profession

Lorna McHardy — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:32:55 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]

x-breeds (by quite a margin), labrador, border collie, border terrier.

Now, what do you think are the useful messages, if any, that this sends to pet owners or potential pet owners.

(I'm currently thinking x-breeds 1st = good, labrador 2nd = pretty neutral, border collie 3rd = interesting given the comments in the other thread about how they don't make good family pets, and 4th = well, I'm not sure yet!

[/quote]

Are our border collies family pets or working animals? Because that's the key to having a happy, well-adjusted border collie. It doesn't have to work sheep, but it does have to do something. Maybe vets just like taking their dogs to agility, flyball, etc etc; or are more likely to do stuff like hillwalking where they want a dog that's energetic and lively and able to keep up? How many vets who have border collies also have sheep?

As for border terriers, I'd have had one myself if I thought I could train the stubborn creature; it was high on my list when deciding. They're lovely, appealing, gorgeous dogs. I just wouldn't want a terrier, and I like calm in my home. So I picked a golden retriever. But I can definitely see why people who know a lot about different breeds would pick that one.

Re: A new voice for the profession

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:16:33 GMT

x-breeds (by quite a margin), labrador, border collie, border terrier.

Now, what do you think are the useful messages, if any, that this sends to pet owners or potential pet owners.

Re: A new voice for the profession

Lorna McHardy — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:26:13 GMT

How many possible combinations are there?

Re: A new voice for the profession

Rob Davis — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:14:11 GMT

Labrador, Staffie, Border Terrier

Re: A new voice for the profession

Niall Taylor — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:14:09 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]As to breeds - I'm excluding crosses in the top 3. The three correct breeds have been mentioned so far, but not by the same person![/quote]

OK...

Labrador, border collie and Jack Russell.

Niall

Re: A new voice for the profession

Niall Taylor — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:12:54 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]Nearly half of vets that own a dog, own a rescue dog (48%).

That strikes me as possibly quite newsworthy. Imagine if doctors gave that many patients a home.[/quote]

Heh, strays - imagine if every time a member of the public found a child on its own in the street they marched it off to the nearest doctors and insisted they look after it because they were too busy and had to get to work!

Niall

Re: A new voice for the profession

Bob Russell — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:51:06 GMT

Labrador, Jack Russell and the Staffie with the soft sad eyes and a sense of humour?

Re: A new voice for the profession

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:48:28 GMT

As to breeds - I'm excluding crosses in the top 3. The three correct breeds have been mentioned so far, but not by the same person!

44% of dogs owned by vets are rescue dogs. Nearly half of vets that own a dog, own a rescue dog (48%).

That strikes me as possibly quite newsworthy. Imagine if doctors gave that many patients a home.

Re: A new voice for the profession

Niall Taylor — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:19:31 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]Anyone care to take a guess at the top three breeds?[/quote]

Crossbreed, Labrador and Jack Russell (or other small terrier - covering options here!)

Niall

Re: A new voice for the profession

George Cooper — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:10:48 GMT

Hmmm [says he, ruefully] - I know which breed will NOT be featured... ... ...the delightful, humorous, dainty, loveable Yorkie.

Top three - Flubrador, JRT, Border Collie.

Re: A new voice for the profession

Alex Gough — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:43:18 GMT

Labrador, Springer, Border Terrier

Re: A new voice for the profession

Mark Holmes — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:21:57 GMT

Very slick and beautiful census Arlo, well done. Must have involved a lot of work.

Re: A new voice for the profession

Lorna McHardy — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:42:48 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]

Anyone care to take a guess at the top three breeds?

[/quote]

Oh, all right, I'll stick my neck out...

Labrador, small terrier probably Jack Russell, cross bred. If crosses don't count, maybe staffie.

Good result on the numbers!!

Re: A new voice for the profession

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:14:19 GMT

[quote user="George Cooper"]Arlo Firstly a great idea[/quote].

Thanks George.

Also, apologies to the duck, bee and swan owners.

I've been doing a little preliminary counting up. We've had over 400 complete responses so far. I haven't yet asked nurses to complete it, though a small number have.

So far, 274 of you own dogs (69%)

Anyone care to take a guess at the top three breeds?