March 21, 2008

GUANGZHOU, China –- Some cultures have traditionally placed canines in the food pyramid rather than on the family tree. But in China, which is known for just that, dogs beginning to fare better these days.

That’s thanks to fashion, the Olympics, a desire for companionship and the ever-growing pet industry.

At one point in Chinese history, lap dogs were considered a fashion accessory for nobles. The trend faded like a pair of acid washed jeans, but has reemerged in the past few years -- marking a cultural change for the traditionally pro-pet eating Asian society.

Reuters reports that an increasing number of toy breeds are popping up on the laps of semi-affluent residents in the country’s larger cities. And to keep the tiny dogs in style, faux Louie Vitton, Prada and other designer doggie-wear can be spotted on most street corners.

“We still eat dog, but not this kind of dog,” said Liu Ming, a salesman in a Guangzhou pet shop, referring to small breeds. “We eat much bigger dogs.”

In fact, Beijing offers dog meat in more than 120 restaurants. But reports indicate they’re closing little-by-little as the Olympics near. Practically speaking, there’s much more to gain financially from a dog that’s someone’s companion compared to one that’s someone’s dinner.

Euromonitor International, which offers “international market intelligence on industries, countries and consumers” estimates that pet food and care spending will eclipse $870 million this year -– marking a 15 percent increase from 2007.

It appears that pets are no longer just for the ϋber-rich. Dogs are touted as friends -– even substitutes for children, much like in the U.S.

And it’s not just a desire for companionship that’s helping canines (Eds. note: and cats, but on a diminished scale).

China has a proverbial gun to its head from animal rights groups to bring animal treatment policies into the 21st century, following the slaughter of thousands of stray cats in an attempt to clean up the streets prior to the Olympic games. (See “China Kills Thousands of Cats as Olympics Approach” in recent Pet Pulse news).

Still, culture doesn’t change overnight.

“In Beijing, there’s a huge market with pitiful dogs waiting in cages to be sold as meat, and literally a few yards away standard poodles dyed in all colors of the rainbow,” said Jill Robinson, CEO of Hong Kong based animal welfare group Animals Asia Foundation.

But with the pet culture picking up momentum and the government taking a lashing from the international community on humane animal treatment, things only look to continue to improve for domesticated animals. The government estimates 150 million dogs are kept as animal companions, accounting for part of the estimated 11 billion other pets there -- mostly birds, reptiles and fish.

An indication that the humane animal treatment trend is really taking root can be seen in Taiwan, where legislators recently passed a law that places an $8,000 fine on anyone that sells dog meat –- which is considered an important winter staple.

“The animal markets keep getting smaller and smaller,” said Marek Michalski, who trades goods in Guangzhou. “Many Chinese I know say if they buy a cat (that’s sold for food) at the market, they’ll set it free.”

Not necessarily the best thing for the felines, but an indication that the idea of eating cats and dogs is becoming taboo in the minds of the Chinese.

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Contributions to this article made by Joseph Chaney, Reuters.