Probabilities of average or greater success and conscientiousness of handler.

<p>Mean probabilities of respondents with conscientiousness personality scores from two and a half to five (as measured by the BFI-10) reporting an average or greater success rate (≥80%) of the dogs they acquire for stock work. Error bars = ± SE(p).</p

Success rates and respondents' estimates of maximum expenditure to save their best dog.

<p>A comparison of the proportion of respondents prepared to spend different amounts of money to save their best dog from a hypothetical illness or injury who report either below average success rates (<80%) or average and greater success rates (≥80%) of dogs they acquire for stock work. Error bars = ± SE(p%). a) reference level, b) significant difference from the reference level (p<0.05).</p

The age dogs were acquired by owners who report either below average success rates (<80%) or average and greater success rates (≥80%) of dogs acquired for stock work.

<p>P-values emerging from stepwise backward elimination logistic regression analysis, the probability of average or greater success and the number of dogs in each age group are reported.</p

Frequency of exercise during off-peak periods and respondents' success rates.

<p>Comparison of the proportions of owners providing exercise to their dogs at six different frequencies, during off-peak farm work periods, who report either below average success rates (<80%) or average and greater success rates (≥80%) of dogs they acquire for stock work. Error bars = ± SE(p%).</p

Training level of dogs at acquisition and respondents' success rates.

<p>Comparison of the proportion of dogs acquired with four different training levels by respondents who report either below average success rates (<80%) or average and greater success rates (≥80%) of dogs they acquire for stock work. Error bars = ± SE(p%).</p

The number of respondents who report using electric shock collars in training and report either below average success rates (<80%) or average and greater success rates (≥80%) of dogs acquired for stock work.

<p>P-values emerging from stepwise backward elimination logistic regression analysis and the probability of average or greater success are reported.</p

Respondents' views of their dogs and their success rates.

<p>Comparison of the proportions of respondents viewing their dogs in one of four ways who reported either below average success rates (<80%) or average and greater success rates (≥80%) of dogs they acquire for stock work. Error bars = ±SE(p%).</p

Total numbers of dogs participating and not participating in working dog trials that are owned by respondents reporting below average (<80%) and average or above average (≥80%) recruitment success rates.

<p>P-values emerging from stepwise backward elimination logistic regression analysis and the probability of average or greater success are reported.</p

Reasons Farm Dog Survey respondents failed dogs (n = 864) that they acquired for stock work.

<p>Reasons Farm Dog Survey respondents failed dogs (n = 864) that they acquired for stock work.</p

Estimates by Farm Dog Survey respondents of the percentage of dogs they acquire for stock herding work that become successful working dogs.

<p>Estimates by Farm Dog Survey respondents of the percentage of dogs they acquire for stock herding work that become successful working dogs.</p