Why do people chose certain breeds of dogs?
Amanda Ware
Department of English, Coastal Carolina University
Abstract
People are motivated by various influences when choosing the breed of dog that they want. It was hypothesized that people chose dogs for functional reasons rather than cultural reasons. According to research conducted through web research and a college class survey, the trend of choice varied between function and culture. The web research conducted showed a positive correlation than negative correlation of cultural influence rather than functional influence in choosing a breed of dog. The college class survey showed a stronger positive correlation than negative correlation of functional influence rather than cultural influence. The results of research suggests that the majority of people are more motivated by cultural influence rather than functional influence when choosing a particular breed of dog though the small survey suggested the opposite.
Why do people chose certain breeds of dogs?
We have dogs, but what are the motivations behind our choosing a particular breed of dog? Dogs play as part of the overall family picture for those of us that chose to have them. We buy dogs, adopt dogs, and are given dogs, but are we motivated by cultural or functional influences when choosing a particular dog? This paper examines these influences.
Web research seemed to narrowly observe the topic of influence when choosing a particular breed of dog. The research conducted seemed to just focus its energies toward movie star dog influences and the fashion side of breed selection. The American Kennel Club being a correlation to compare quantitative figures in research conducted. This research failed to examine the social status of people whom own particular breeds of dogs. Also, it fails to account for dogs not included in the American Kennel Club Registry.
In addition, a survey was given to challenge previous research. The students were given four questions and allowed to give unique characteristics of choice when choosing a particular breed of dog. The survey was broken down to determine what types of influences reflect the students’ choice when choosing a particular breed of dog. However, this survey fails to examine social status of the students involved in the survey.
The purpose of this research paper is to understand why people chose certain breeds of dogs. It was hypothesized that people chose certain breeds of dogs for functional reasons rather than cultural reasons.
Methods
Research was conducted to determine the whether or not people chose certain breeds of dogs based on primarily on cultural reasons or functional reasons.
In addition, a sample of 11 college students was given a survey to determine whether the students were influenced by culture or function when choosing a particular breed of dog. The survey consisted of four questions: the first two questions of the survey were the individual students’ opinion on what breeds are the most popular and why they thought people chose these breeds; the last two questions were the individual students’ favorite breeds of dog and why they chose these particular breeds of dog. Reasons were categorized according to functional reasons versus cultural reasons.
Results
Students were primarily influenced by functional reasons rather the cultural reasons when choosing a particular breed of dog (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Types of student influence on choosing a particular breed of dog (Precise figures located in Table 1 in appendix)
Students thought other people were primarily influenced by reasons cultural reasons rather than functional reasons when choosing a particular breed of dog (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Types of influence students thought other people on choosing a particular breed of dog (Precise figures located in Table 2 in the appendix).
Web research conducted showed that culture has more influence than function when choosing a dog breed (Table 3).
Table 3
Web research findings on cultural or functional influence when choosing a breed of dog Cultural Influence Functional Influence
Fashion vs. function in cultural evolution 1
This is the most popular dog breed in America 1
Dog Movie Stars and Dog Breed Popularity 1
Total 3 0
The tables and figures varied on cultural and functional influence. In Figure 1, students individually were more influenced by functional influence when choosing a certain breed of dog. However, student opinions in Figure 2, showed that students thought most people were influenced by cultural influence when choosing a particular breed of dog. Table 3, showed through web research that most people were influenced by cultural influence rather than functional influence. Overall, the research suggested that most people were influenced by culture than function.
Discussion
Sources
Ghirlanda, S. Acerbi, A. Herzog, H. (2014) PLoS ONE 9(9) Dog movie stars and dog breed popularity: a case study in media influence on choice. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0106565
Begley, S. (Feb.2015) This is the most popular dog breed in america. Retrieved from http://time.com/3724199/most-popular-dog-in-america/
Ghirlanda, S. Acerbi, A. Herzog, H. Serpell, J (2013) PLoS ONE 8(9) Fashion vs. function in cultural evolution: the case of dog breed popularity. Doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0074770
Appendix
Table 1
Number of students responses for each category
Characteristic Cultural Functional Neither
Small size 2
Large size 3
Non-sheading 2
Cuddling 1
Black tongue 1
Loyalty 2
Family/friend influence 3
Friendly 1
Compatibility 1
Energetic 1
Total 4 12 1
Table 2
Number of students responses for each category in reference to other people
Characteristic Cultural Functional Full breed dogs 1 Friendly 5 Attractiveness 3 Not aggressive 1 Portability 3 Pity 1 Breeding 1 Security 2 Obedient 1 Entertainment 1 Companionship 1 Total 11 9
