Tibetan Mastiff canines are starting to be more and more popular in China, and that has some individuals very uneasy. The Tibetan Mastiff is regarded as the protector of Tibet, and a sign of affluence. Animal welfare activists are raising questions about the $ 600,000 price tag being paid for some purebred animals.
The popularity of the Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan Mastiff dogs were, at one point, considered a holy animal. A Tibetan Mastiff is considered a sign of both home and security. Some Tibetan Mastiff canines are huge, reaching 180 pounds or more. . Some dog breeders even go as far as to poach purebred Tibetan Mastiff dogs.
Keeping a Tibetan Mastiff in China
For many years in China, the Communist Party banned the ownership of dogs as pets. Having a dog is often considered a pure and simple status symbol. Though there is no longer a ban on animal ownership, it costs more than $ 100 to license a dog, and the registration process can take months. Before the owner can register or keep a dog, it must be approved both by the neighborhood and local police. The dog also demands identification paperwork that contains passport photos, a registration document, copy of the property title or lease and a yearly renewal. These regulations and costs, on top of the a number of hundred thousand dollar cost of purchasing a Tibetan Mastiff, makes owning the pet an costly proposition.
Pets as a status symbol at risk?
Because of their status as a symbol more than a pet, some Mastiffs are seen as being in danger. For example, the couple that purchased Yangtze River Number Two, a Tibetan Mastiff, for $ 600,000 generally keep him in a cage. In Beijing, the International Center for Veterinary Services calls the obsession “dangerous”. It’s noted that numerous of these so-called “pets” are put on display more than treated like pets. Breeders and owners dispute this claim, pointing out that keeping a Tibetan Mastiff takes extensive care.
Find more information on this subject
MSNBC
today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38263729/ns/today-today_pets_and_animals
Global Times
globaltimes.cn/www/english/metro-beijing/lifestyle/fashion and amp;shopping/2010-04/524055.html
