Studio Brief 2 - Research - 20 Statistics and Opinions

20 Statistics - Taken from reliable sources on the internet.

20 Opinions - Collected them myself via texting and talking to a variety of people

What is the hardest/worst thing about having a/your dog as a pet?

‘Probably cost? You have to pay for insurance, dog food, bowls, bedding, biscuits etc..’ (Female dog owner, 19 years old)

‘Having enough time in the day to give it a couple of walks’ (Female dog owner, 23 years old)

‘Picking up its shit’ (Female dog owner, 17 years old)

‘It’s very irritating when it barks whenever someone knocks at the door, so probably that’s the worst thing’ (Female dog owner, 19 years old)

‘Toilet training when it’s a puppy’ (Male dog owner, 15 years old)

‘If your dog humps things it is basically impossible to stop it from doing so’ (Male dog owner, 17 years old)

‘Making sure it gets enough exercise everyday’ (Male dog owner, 20 years old)

‘Not having the routine of looking after it when it dies’ (Male who used to be a dog owner, 72 years old)

Are fish easy pets to keep? Why? Are they even pets?

‘I’d say they’re probably the easiest animal to keep as a pet because you don’t have to take them walks or exercise them. I think they should be considered pets because they’re animals, but I see why some people might not consider them too be, I don’t imagine you bond with a fish like you would do a dog or horse.’ (Female dog owner, 19 years old. Never owned fish.)

‘No. You have to be always checking the water and cleaning the tank. If you don’t the fish will die from being poisoned.’ (Female dog owner, 23 years old. Used to have fish.)

‘Yeah, you don’t actually have to do anything. No, they’re just something to look at. If fish are pets then so are TV’s.’ (Female dog owner, 17 years old. Never had fish.)

‘Yeah probably, it’s not you take them walks or to the vets or anything like that.’ (Female dog owner, 19 years old. Never had fish.)

‘It seems like there’s lots of things you have to check regularly to make sure they stay alive. Also, whenever they get new fish the old ones don’t like it and you can tell they’re acting more aggressively. That proves they’re pets really, they have behaviour patterns just like any dog, cat or other pet.’ (Male dog owner, 15 years old. Parents have fish.)

‘Yes. Once you have them you don’t really have to do anything. Yes.’ (Male dog owner, 17 years old. Never had fish.)

‘Probably, it doesn’t seem like you have to do anything other than feed them and clean the tank after you’ve been and bought the fish.’ (Male dog owner, 20 years old. Never had fish.)

‘I don't know enough to give a reasonable answer, but I don’t se any reason why they wouldn’t be classed as pets.’ (Male who used to be a dog owner, 72 years old. Never had fish.)