Managing Breed Expectations

Deciding what breed of dog to get is as important a decision as choosing whether to get a dog in the first place, for people considering pet ownership.

Each breed has its unique temperament, trainability, exercise, grooming and health needs. Managing breed expectations from the outset with owners is key to establishing good communication, compliance, and commitment. An informed owner, armed with information about their breed, is more likely to be aware of potential breed and welfare-related issues. In turn, they are more likely to turn to your clinic for help and information rather than Google. 

EDUCATION

Educating pet owners about their chosen breed is not without challenges. Educating brand-new pet owners, many of which adopted a dog for the first time during COVID lockdown restrictions, can be even more challenging. However, as vets, we have a unique opportunity to provide education in a neutral setting where owners are (hopefully) more likely to follow our advice.

We can help people become better pet owners by: 

1. Educating owners on breed traits and personalities

2. Helping owners pick the right pet for their family and lifestyle

3. Educating owners early on possible health predispositions in their chosen breed and reinforcing at each interaction

4. Encouraging obedience training

5. Establishing a routine of annual health checks, routine husbandry procedures and information flow

6. Discussing pet insurance

PET INSURANCE

Pet insurance for dogs is an important consideration for new dog owners. However, it’s not very exciting. Using real-life examples that demonstrate what pet owners could have to face can help with discussions. These tend to highlight the money and stress involved with funding expensive treatment when a pet wasn’t insured and its repercussions.

These conversations are even more important with first-time owners with no prior experience of veterinary treatment costs. Seeing a dog for the first time is a natural time to ask about insurance.