Lesbians Dogs: Who gets Custody if There’s a Breakup

Survey Visits: 389

Survey’s Completed: 159

The lesbians dogs custody survey was reader-suggested. For this great topic, we are looking at the relationship between lesbians and their dogs. 

For starters, the lesbians dogs custody survey inquired about how many lesbian couples adopted, purchased or acquired a dog with a female partner. A whoooping 74% said yes, and only 26% said no. 

At what point in your relationship did you get a dog?

• 0-3 months ~ 3%
• 4-6 months ~ 9%
• 7 -11 months ~ 14%
• 1-3 years ~ 39%
• 4+ years ~ 9%
• Does not apply ~ 25%

What this means is that in less than one year, 26% of lesbians who completed the lesbians dogs custody survey got a dog with their new partner. This may lend some credence to the uhaul lesbians effect discussed here.

In how many different relationships have you acquired a new dog with a female partner?

• 0 ~ 35%
• 1 ~ 39%
• 2 ~ 22%
• 3 ~ 4%
• 4+ ~ 1%

It seems that after trying this once, (39%) the interest in accumulating a dog with a partner diminishes. Perhaps this is because one or both already have a dog, or maybe it is because they  are still with the dog’s co-mom. However, in the lesbians dogs custody survey only 27% report adding a dog to a new relationship more than once.

What was the reason you wanted to adopt or purchase a dog with your partner?

• My partner wanted one ~ 28%
• I wanted one ~ 14%
• We both wanted one ~ 50%
• To feel like we “own” something together ~ 8%

 In years one through three, 58% of lesbians report getting a dog because they both wanted one. This seems to be the most common reason and the most frequently reported time frame for getting one.

Interestingly, 18% of women who completed the lesbians dogs custody survey say they have kept, or will keep, the dog in the event of a separation, even though it was their partner’s idea to get one. There are 60% of women stating the partner wanting the dog keeps the dog, and 17% report joint custody of the dog.

Who retained custody of the dog, or will retain custody of the dog, if there is a break up?

• I will keep, or have kept the dog ~ 24%
• She will keep, or has kept, the dog ~ 25%
• WE would have, or do have, joint custody 11%
• I have experienced both situations where have gotten the dog, and I have lost the dog ~ 12%
• Break up? We are in it for the U-Haul…I mean the long haul ~ 28%

Interesting observation: of those reporting they are in it for the long haul, 18% are in their first relationship, 27% are in their second relationship, 43% are in their 3rd to 5th relationship, 9% are in their 6th to 10th relationship and 2% are in their 11th or more relationship. Relationship optimism seems most prevalent among those in their 3rd to 5th relationship.

What is your age?

• 18-24 ~ 18%
• 25-34 ~ 18%
• 35-44 ~ 23%
• 45-54 ~ 30%
• 55+ ~ 10%

How many lesbian relationships have you had?

• 0 ~ 0%
• 1 ~ 11%
• 2 ~ 16%
• 3-5 ~ 55%
• 6-10 ~ 16%
• 11+ ~ 3%