Table 3.
Cross-tabulation of owners based on their answer to Question 1 (reason for choosing the breed) and their responses to the questions regarding awareness of health issues (Q6–Q13). The percentages are shown in parentheses.
| Questions | Groups | Yes | No | p | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Are you aware that this breed may have nasal stenosis (narrow nostrils that restrict airflow)? | Aesthetics/Fashion | 20 (95.2) | 1 (4.8) | 0.600 |
| Intelligence/Behavior | 30 (96.8) | 1 (3.2) | |||
| Other 1 | 23 (100) | 0 (0.0) | |||
| Total | 73 (97.3) | 2 (2.7) | |||
| 7 | Are you aware that these breeds may have an elongated soft palate, which can cause breathing difficulties? | Aesthetics/Fashion | 18 (85.7) | 3 (14.3) | 0.115 |
| Intelligence/Behavior | 31 (100) | 0 (0.0) | |||
| Other 1 | 21 (91.3) | 2 (8.7) | |||
| Total | 70 (93.3) | 5 (6.7) | |||
| 8 | Are you aware that these breeds may suffer from tracheal hypoplasia (a smaller trachea), leading to breathing difficulties? | Aesthetics/Fashion | 15 (71.4) | 6 (28.6) | 0.718 |
| Intelligence/Behavior | 25 (80.6) | 6 (19.4) | |||
| Other 1 | 17 (73.9) | 6 (26.1) | |||
| Total | 57 (76.0) | 18 (24.0) | |||
| 9 | Have you ever had specific diagnostic tests performed to assess breathing problems (e.g., X-ray, endoscopy, CT scan)? | Aesthetics/Fashion | 8 (38.1) | 13 (61.9) | 0.144 |
| Intelligence/Behavior | 19 (61.3) | 12 (38.7) | |||
| Other 1 | 15 (65.2) | 8 (34.8) | |||
| Total | 42 (56.0) | 33 (44.0) | |||
| 10 | Are you aware that surgery may be an option to address these breathing issues? | Aesthetics/Fashion | 17 (81.0) | 4 (19.0) | 0.190 |
| Intelligence/Behavior | 29 (93.5) | 2 (6.5) | |||
| Other 1 | 22 (95.7) | 1 (4.3) | |||
| Total | 68 (90.7) | 7 (9.3) | |||
| 11 | If so, have you already opted for surgical procedures? | Aesthetics/Fashion | 6 (28.6) | 15 (71.4) | 0.705 |
| Intelligence/Behavior | 12 (38.7) | 19 (61.3) | |||
| Other 1 | 9 (39.1) | 14 (60.9) | |||
| Total | 27 (36.0) | 48 (64.0) | |||
| 12 | Would prior knowledge of these respiratory symptoms have influenced your decision to choose this breed? | Aesthetics/Fashion | 5 (23.8) | 16 (76.2) | <0.001 |
| Intelligence/Behavior | 1 (3.2) | 30 (96.8) | |||
| Other 1 | 11 (47.8) | 12 (52.2) | |||
| Total | 17 (22.7) | 58 (77.3) | |||
| 13 | Would knowledge of the costs associated with these procedures have influenced your purchasing decision? | Aesthetics/Fashion | 5 (23.8) | 16 (76.2) | 0.080 |
| Intelligence/Behavior | 1 (3.2) | 30 (96.8) | |||
| Other 1 | 4 (17.4) | 19 (82.6) | |||
| Total | 10 (13.3) | 65 (86.7) |
1 Included respondents whose stated reasons did not align clearly with either of the previous categories (indeterminate owners).