Dogs And Their Masters

This Russian poll is based on 1,500 in-home interviews in which researchers asked people about their views and attitudes with respect to dogs and dog ownership, finding that 70% of respondents like dogs, 20% are indifferent, 8% dislike them, and 2% found the question difficult to answer.

The following is a summary of select questions and the overall answers given (note: percentages are for total population, though some questions were asked only of certain subgroups): “Some people like dogs, others are indifferent towards them or dislike them. What about you?”

• I like them (70%)
• I’m indifferent (20%)
• I dislike them (8%)
• Hard to answer (2%)

“In your view, do dog owners in your locality try to prevent their charges (dogs) from causing trouble for other people?”

• Yes (48%)
• No (42%)
• Hard to answer (10%)

“Do you have pets? If so, what kind?”

• Cat (54%)
• Dog (41%)
• Birds (7%)
• Fish (4%)
• Hamster, guinea pig, rat, other small rodents (2%)
• Turtle (1%)
• Other animals (7%)
• Hard to answer (22%)

“Is the maintenance of your dog costly or not that costly to you (your family)?” (Asked of dog owners only)

• Costly (7%)
• Not that costly (31%)
• Hard to answer (4%)

“When walking your dog in the city, do you usually keep your dog on a leash or do you let it go, or do you use no leash at all?” (Asked of dog owners only)

• Usually keep on a leash (8%)
• Usually let go (4%)
• Usually no leash (5%)
• Hard to answer (7%)