Hi all,

I've had permission from Admin to post a request to carry out a bit of informal market research for my university project.

I'm a journalism student at Liverpol John Moores University. As part of my final project I am creating a magazine aimed at dog owners. It is going to tackle some of the more complicated issues such as foreign rescue dogs, vaccinations, diet etc etc.

It will be aimed at the type of dog owner who has a special interest in a certain breed or dog sport, and certainly someone who likes to read the latest information about their pets health.

Dubbed 'ActiveK9' magazine (working title, it may get changed) the target market will be 24y/o+ dog owners, the more active owners and the ones more interested in health and fitness of their dogs rather than the 'doggy clothes' fluffy dog market.

As the members of CD are all really knowledgable on dogs and their health etc. I was wondering if you could let me know the sort of content and images you enjoy reading about.

What issues are there with dogs that are not currently covered by the media?

What sort of breeds are you interested in

Do you like magazines to be backed up by online, multimedia content?

Are you likely to value the advice of a natural/homeopathic vet?

Anything else you can think of suggesting, please let me know!

Thanks
Josh

What issues are there with dogs that are not currently covered by the media?

I don't think there really is any, I'm sure with the different dog mags the vast majority of things would have been talked about at some point. I read dogs today and they have talked about early neutering, pros and cons of neutering, yearly vaccinating and if it's necessary, forin rescues conning to UK, status dogs ect

What sort of breeds are you interested in?

Mostly working and pastoral spitzs types, would also be nice to see some forin breeds to lurn about something new

Do  you like magazines to be backed up by online, multimedia content

Doesn't really matter to me.

Are you likely to value the advice of a natural/homeopathic vet?
No, I don't go for that sort of stuff but it wouldn't put me off if there was a section about it, I would just skip those pages.

What I would really like to see is a website, organised by breed, where judges critiques for every show are published. I really object, after paying to enter a show, to then have to buy newspaper(s) every week ( and they are not a cheap), which may or may not have the critique and if it does appear then may be 'edited'.

I would read stuff about homeopathic remedies. Also articles about working dogs as you don't see much about them, police dogs, guide dogs etc

Horse magazines tend to have stuff about fittening programmes for horses etc so something like that would be good, maybe stop owners taking their couch potato dogs for a 10 mile monthly hike and wondering why the dog is lame the next day :-D

Different ideas about activities to do with your dog, places you can go on holiday taking more than 3 dogs, directory of places to go for training (ringcraft, obedience, agility, flyball etc) would be good too

good luck josh,that sounds an interesting magazine,i think id buy it!Especially if it featured training,diet,and collies,good luck.

> What issues are there with dogs that are not currently covered by the media?

I'm not sure, I don't really read dog mags or see the newspapers much these days. I'd be interested to read about current training techniques, activities to do with dogs, details of clubs and events.

> What sort of breeds are you interested in

All of them, but like another poster I particularly enjoy hearing about dogs with jobs, how they're trained etc.

> Do you like magazines to be backed up by online, multimedia content?

Yes

> Are you likely to value the advice of a natural/homeopathic vet?

In a magazine? No. If I need vet advice or had a vet type question I would go and see my vet or call them for a chat.
When I do buy dog magazines I tend to skip the vet sections and begrudge the space they are given. I suppose you could talk about routine stuff like natural flea prevention but  I wouldn't pay money to read it, maybe a special once in a while talking about titre testing or whatever would be ok but wouldn't want it in every issue.

1. I don't but magazines any more as I find them too repetitive.
2. I like to read about all breeds - but not designer crossbreeds !
3.  No.
4. I would be interested to read their opinion.

> What issues are there with dogs that are not currently covered by the media?
>

The usual which is discussed here and in the dog weeklies, how to find a GOOD breeder, the truth about health testing and breeding quality pups, that cross breeding/outcrossing is not a guarantee of health.  That some vets are very anti pedigree, or anti some breeds,  vets do not necessarily have the best knowledge of breed specific issues, or even whelping/puppy care issues. 

> What sort of breeds are you interested in

Interested in all breeds, involved in Pugs and American Cockers.

>
> Do you like magazines to be backed up by online, multimedia content?
>

Yes, suppose have got used to it.

> Are you likely to value the advice of a natural/homeopathic vet?
>

Yes

> Anything else you can think of suggesting, please let me know!

Things like dogs doing things outside of their expected field (eg our Pugility pugs).  Looking at different disciplines to help with problems in ones own.

I can't think of any thing that hasn't been covered.

I'm interested in Bull breeds and HPR,s, also rare and extinct breeds.

Not bothered about the multi media thing

Yes I would value an alternative vet advice article

I like articles on how breeds came to be, what went into the mix.
I much prefer factual stuff rather than " look how cute dogs are " those I tend to skip. I'm bored ridged of Hounds for Heros / Dogs for the Disabled , articles, great if they are about how the dogs are trained, but had enough of the feel good stuff.