| This article appeared on
Shanghai Daily Monday August 27, 2007 A Dog in Shanghai
The
benefits of owning a dog are well known and documented. These
include stress reduction, aiding recovery from illness, improving
children’s self-esteem and just general good health.
Stats
show dog owners are not only healthier but they also live longer.
There are many reasons the dog is regarded as man’s best friend and
many reasons why Westerners coming to Shanghai long for their own
dog. There are, however, many reasons why having a dog in Shanghai
is impractical, to say the least.
The canis
species evolved as a hunter capable of covering huge distances in
search of its prey. A 150-square-meter apartment doesn’t qualify as
a wide open space even with trendy minimal furnishings. Shanghai’s
widest, most open space, Century Park, doesn’t allow dogs. Hardly
any of the city’s parks allow dogs.
Nevertheless, this hasn’t discouraged a growing number of dog owners
in the city. Joining their ranks is not something to be embarked
upon lightly, according to Dr James Holder of the Shanghai PAW
Veterinary Clinic.
“When
considering getting a dog, prospective owners need to thoroughly
think things through” Dr Holder says. “Plan! The more you learn
about dogs and looking after a dog in advance, the better you will
be at it. Therefore, the dog will be happier and you will be
happier and enjoy the experience much more.”
Dr Holder
says it’s no exaggeration to compare the process and thinking behind
getting a dog to have a baby. “It’s all about behaving responsibly
and preparing correctly.”
He says
dog ownership in Shanghai has taken a bit of bum rap recently and
the busy Englishman, who has been practicing in the city for five
years, isn’t one to discourage dog ownership.
“Dogs and
people go well together, they always have. Dogs are a lot of work
and a big responsibility, but ultimately when well looked after, a
dog will add a lot to the owner’s life”
“I
wouldn’t try to dissuade anybody who would like to have a dog: They
just need to consider every aspect-will they seriously have enough
free time to spend with the dog? What will they do with the dog when
they go on holiday? What will they do when they wish to return to
their native country? Some countries have a long quarantine period.
Is where you live suitable? Many people in China are very afraid of
dogs,” he continues.
Obviously
with hundreds of breeds from deerhound to Pekingese to choose from,
after deciding to get a dog, the next decision is what type. Dr
Holder is a fan of the small-to-medium-sized dogs for life in
Shanghai. “Under 20 kilograms is good. This city is difficult for
big dogs. Short haired dogs are better, too, they require less
attention. Small dogs are good but sometimes very small dogs end up
being treated like babies. They are not babies, nor are they fashion
accessories-they’re dogs.”
Beyond
that Dr Holder is a fan of the cross-bred dog as these possess hybid
vigor. “Many of these kennels inbreed their dogs and this can throw
up all sorts of problems for the dog in later life with congenital
diseases. The cross-breeds may not look quite as good but in general
they’re healthier,” he says.
It’s
better to buy from a private breeder rather than one of the puppy
farms, low-intensity breeding is best, listen to friends’
recommendations, they are often the best of all. Second Chance
Animal Aid is ideal as their animals are in good health and have all
been thoroughly checked. Never ever buy a dog off the street or at a
Metro station.
An expat
family who have been in Shanghai for some time and who shall remain
nameless for the purposes of this sad but true tale bought a puppy
at a local market near their home in Pudong. The dog was very small,
very cute, very similar in appearance to a husky and it was very,
very cheap.
The seller
told them that it was the sort of dog that was bred for either
fighting or eating, possibly both. For several months the family
enjoyed having this puppy, playing with it and taking it for walks.
That was until the dog started to get bigger and bigger and bigger.
As a
full-grown big heavy dog, Ni Hao, as it was less and less
affectionately known, began to be troublesome. Ni Hao was proving
less and less to be the type of dog that might be eaten and more and
more the type of dog that might eat somebody itself. After one bite
too many NI Hao had to be taken to the vet to be put down, an
emotionally draining experience and very, very expensive.
The moral
is simple, choose your dog carefully. It also raises another issue,
one that is particularly important in Shanghai. “With so many people
and in such a built-up area dogs must be very well trained. The dog
must do as it is told and the owner must learn how to train his or
her dog,” says Dr Holder.
Michelle
Zhang from Los Angeles is fairly new to Shanghai. Her father, Donald
Zhang, came a year ago and between the two they are selling puppies
from their kennel “Puppy Park” in suburban Songjiang District.
“We are
very careful to ensure the quality of our puppies, we keep careful
documentation of their blood lines and they are all guaranteed. Most
of our bitches have between one and two litters per year, which is
much fewer than some of those so called puppy farms,” says
26-year-old Michelle.
She breeds
German shepherds, retrievers, huskies and bichon fries, most of her
buyers are expats. Retrievers go for around 1500 yuan, huskies for
more like 2500 yuan, all the puppies have all of their inoculations.
The puppies are sold at eight weeks.
Dog
licensing in Shanghai is very important-dogs can taken away from you
without a license. The tag ranges from 1000 yuan to 2000yuan or more
downtown; the license must be renewed yearly. The animal control
officer at the police department will register your pet and implant
an identification chip under his skin.
Dogs must
always be on leashes and officially dogs must stay indoors or in
your yard between 7am and 7pm. When walking your dog, always carry
your license with you, otherwise, you could lose your pet.
Still,
many people find dog ownership worthwhile.
Nate
Showalter is the proud owner of a small part Chihuahua called Xiao
Chou “on account of his slight overbite.”
“We were
sort of looking for a dog and we heard about this character at the
vet so went and saw him and it was basically love at first sight,”
says Showalter, executive director of the Shanghai Community Center.
“He just stays in our apartment most of the time. Our Ayi loves him
too, she even looks after him when we are away on holiday. It works
well, he’s not too rambunctious. ”
When it
works well it’s a special thing having a dog around but it doesn’t
just happen, planning and preparation are key.
Puppy Park
Email to
Michelle Zhang at
jiajia328@yahoo.com
PAW
Veterinary Clinic
www.pawvet.com
Tel:
5254-0611
Second
Chance Animal Aid
www.scaashanghai.org
Tel:13918552425
How to
choose your puppy breed
l
Making sure you
choose the right dog for your home is very important for you and
your pet.
l
If you have
limited space, no yard, a busy work schedule and no time to walk
your dog, then your family is not suitable to a large breed.
Consider a small breed that is low maintenance. Suggestion: toy
poodles, Yorkshire terriers, bichon friese.
l
In any case, you
should find a SMART dog-these are working dogs, such as herding
dogs. Unfortunately not all dogs are created equal when it comes to
IQ. Suggestion: border collies, poodles, German shepherds, golden
retrievers, Dobermans.
l
If you have small
children, you must find a child-friendly dog. Some big dogs are
child-friendly, so don’t rule them out. Suggestion: poodles, bichon
friese, cocker spaniel, Shetland sheepdog, Labrador retriever,
golden retriever, bloodhound.
l
If you’ve never
had a dog before, you’ll need to find a good first-time dog that
trains easily, is low maintenance and leaves you wanting a second
dog. Suggestion: golden retriever, poodles, bichon friese, Shetland
sheepdog, beagle, Pomeranian.
Licensing in Shanghai-necessary headache
Registration and Licensing are complicated but
essential. See Second Chance Animal Aid at
www.scaashanghai.org
for detailed, updated information on animal regulations,
registration and licensing requirements.
Make sure your dog is registered and licensed with
the local police.
l
Unlicensed dogs
can be held unannounced roundups. Owner can be fined 5000yuan
(US$650) to get their dogs back.
l
Licenses cost
1000-2000yuan per year. Don’t forget to renew. Be prepared for a
complicated process.
l
When you register
and license your dog, you must appear with your dog at the police
department. You need your passport and visa, your rental agreement,
several photos of your dog, any purchase, quarantine, medical
certificate of other documents of your pet. Bring copies.
l
Despite your
documents, the animal control officer may decide to revaccinate your
pet, right there and issue new certificates.
l
A microchip ID
will be implanted under the animal’s skin.
l
Be prepared for
more and check with Second Chance Animal Aid for the latest
requirements. It’s worth it.
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