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. . A purebred Tibetan Mastiff is generally at risk of being “poached” by breeders.
China’s Tibetan Mastiff costs
Owning a dog in China used to be banned. Having a dog is often considered a pure and simple status symbol. Animal ownership is no longer banned, but it takes months and hundreds of dollars to license them. Dogs must be registered with the neighborhood committee and police security bureau. To register the dog, a owner must provide photos of the dog, proof of home ownership or lease, and extensive applications. 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 usually keep him in a cage. The International Center for Veterinary Services in Beijing speaks loudly against the obsession with Tibetan Mastiffs. The Centre notes that most of these “pets” are kept in cages and put on display more than treated like pets. Breeders and owners dispute this claim, pointing out that keeping a Tibetan Mastiff takes extensive care.
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
