February 8, 2010
Cat owners are more cleverer than dog lovers, a seemingly pointless survey has concluded. Boffins at Bristol University polled 2,524 households found that 47.2% of those with a cat had at least one person educated to degree level, compared with 38.4% of homes with dogs.
However Dr Jane Murray, a lecturer in feline epidemiology (cat diseases, basically), said she didn't know why there was such a variation in education level. "We did look at average household income but that wasn't significant. Our best guess is that it's to do with working hours and perhaps commuting to work, meaning people have a less suitable lifestyle for a dog. It's really just a hunch though."
Guru has a theory; Dogs - especially large threatening ones - are the pet of choice for the majority of chavs, the bulk of which will be jobless and certainly won't have a degree - unless it's a BA in Hollyoaks.
The study also suggested a number of other characteristics were associated with either cat or dog ownership. Dog-lovers were more likely to be male, living in rural areas and under the age of 55. So, farmers or posh people then.
Cat owners were more likely to be female and living in smaller or single-person households. These are the Bridget Jones-type singletons with no-one to come home to after a long day at work but a moody moggy.
If you want to get a pet that fits in with your busy working life, Guru advises getting a goldfish; low maintenance and they won't judge you.
However Dr Jane Murray, a lecturer in feline epidemiology (cat diseases, basically), said she didn't know why there was such a variation in education level. "We did look at average household income but that wasn't significant. Our best guess is that it's to do with working hours and perhaps commuting to work, meaning people have a less suitable lifestyle for a dog. It's really just a hunch though."
Guru has a theory; Dogs - especially large threatening ones - are the pet of choice for the majority of chavs, the bulk of which will be jobless and certainly won't have a degree - unless it's a BA in Hollyoaks.
The study also suggested a number of other characteristics were associated with either cat or dog ownership. Dog-lovers were more likely to be male, living in rural areas and under the age of 55. So, farmers or posh people then.
Cat owners were more likely to be female and living in smaller or single-person households. These are the Bridget Jones-type singletons with no-one to come home to after a long day at work but a moody moggy.
If you want to get a pet that fits in with your busy working life, Guru advises getting a goldfish; low maintenance and they won't judge you.
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