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Shanghai Expat Forum Index » City Living Forums » Expat Cat Answers on Living in Shanghai

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badabum

Lurker

Joined: Mar 02, 2009
Posts: 33

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 15, 2009 - 03:53 AM
Post subject: Dog Breeds

We are planning our move to SH and we would like to get a dog once we are there. Has any of you experience with that? We are wondering if you can actually purchase one somewhere, if there are breeders with a decent reputation etc. We are just beginning to think about which breed would work for us, and there is not much point coming to a conclusion and then finding that it is impossible to get this breed in China. Any suggestions? ( in know if all else fails I can get a homeless dog off the street but that would be plan B at this point)
Thanks!

neverboring

LoopKicker

Joined: Nov 21, 2007
Posts: 923

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Posted: Oct 15, 2009 - 12:19 PM

Dog and Cat on Shimen Lu near Weihai Lu (near the Four Seasons) can order you dogs from breeders. The owner is pretty nice and seems like a pet lover (or at least a good business woman?).

Naughty Family has a good selection. They breed themselves. Their prices are absolutely ridiculous though. I was looking at getting a French Bulldog and they quoted me something north of 20,000 RMB for one.

nch1976

Talker

Joined: Aug 27, 2004
Posts: 87

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 15, 2009 - 06:49 PM

I have had a very bad experience and then a very good experience with getting a dog here in Shanghai. At the end of the day, I was glad to have been through it, but sad what happened.

My first experience:

I went to a local pet shop and saw a really cute Labrador pup. Paid RMB5000 for a membership and the dog was given to me for free. The membership fee was good for merchandise and services. Unbeknownst, the puppy had already contracted Canine Distemper. It is a deadly disease in dogs and the death rate is very high for puppies. I tried everything I can and spent double the membership fee I paid for getting the dog. After just over a week, I watched helplessly as the vet put the puppy to sleep. I still feel sad when I think about it and makes me want to cry.

Do I feel cheated? Sure. I also feel stupid...but hopefully my lesson can help others not make the same mistake. Here's what I learned since then. Many breeders breed their bitches several times a year. This is detrimental to the bitches' health, not to say it also compromises the puppies health as well. These dog "farms" are usually in very bad shape and when a dog dies of Canine Distemper, the area is not isolated for the required time of at least 1 year. Canine Distemper is only one of may diseases, albeit, the deadliest. They call the kind of dogs like mine "week dogs" because they usually die a week after you take them home.

My second experience:

After my first dog, I decided to try again so I went on Taobao (auction site) and looked for a breeder. Once I found a prospective, I would pay a visit. On my third try, I found someone who was not in the business to sell dogs but just wanted to breed his bitch then keep a few puppies to himself and sell the rest. I picked one and asked if he could put it on hold for me. A week later, I called and asked if I could take the puppy I selected to the vet for a checkup. He agreed and off we went to the vet. The puppy turned out to be perfectly fine so I brought him home after another week. I paid RMB1500 for the puppy.

My dog is now 2 years old and very healthy. I take him to the vet every month and make sure he gets the proper medical attention when ill.

Now, after my 2 different experiences, my suggestion is NOT to buy a dog from a pet store or just any breeder. If fact, I would recommend NOT to buy, but rather adopt. This way, you will not be helping those unethical breeders sell more "week dogs." There are many healthy dogs and cats at the Second Chance Animal Aid Shanghai that need your love and care. I have been thinking about a second dog, and now that I know about SCAA, I will try to adopt before looking to buy. You can find more information about SCAA on their website:
http://www.scaashanghai.org/

Hope my stories help.

badabum

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Joined: Mar 02, 2009
Posts: 33

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Posted: Oct 15, 2009 - 11:21 PM

Hello guys,thanks for the info. I was afraid that it could get difficult. We might decide to adopt in the end. Good luck with Dog No. 2!!

neverboring

LoopKicker

Joined: Nov 21, 2007
Posts: 923

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 16, 2009 - 12:24 AM

nch - can you tell us what was the name of the first pet shop?

nch1976

Talker

Joined: Aug 27, 2004
Posts: 87

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 16, 2009 - 10:30 AM

It is on Wu Zhong Road close to Yao Hong Road. The name in Chinese is 粉红家族.

condesa

Barker

Joined: Aug 02, 2009
Posts: 160
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 18, 2009 - 12:52 PM
Post subject: Re: Dog Breeds

badabum wrote:

If you buy a dog in a store, it is very likely that comes from a 'Puppy Mills' so you are basically helping and supporting a pretty horrible practice. Why don't adopt a dog from one of the Humane Societies (there is info on the site) and give home and love to somebody that needs it Very Happy

.

Just a thought

jinganjosh

Seeker

Joined: Oct 03, 2009
Posts: 53

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Posted: Oct 19, 2009 - 11:46 AM

Agree with Condesa.

A few adoption places in Shanghai, just google it and you'll find at least two (the ones I've seen.)
One is SCAA (Second Chance Animal Association or something).

Buying from shops is less preferable but still ok.

NEVER buy the dogs sold on the streets in little boxes. These dogs are apparently overdosed with cough medicine to make them hyper and thus seem cuter to potential buyers, and some of them are plunged into boiling dye to turn them into more "desirable" colors. These dogs typically die quickly after they are brought home.

JAR

Squeeker

Joined: Sep 28, 2009
Posts: 11
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 31, 2009 - 12:07 AM

Please consider in adopting an animal instead of buying as what nch1976 stated above.

JAR - Jaiya's Animal Rescue has a new Online Animal Gallery: www.picturetrail.com/shanghaidogs

We have many types of dogs available for adoption.

Send us an email for further queries as we are currently in the process of building a new website as the google sites have unfortunately been blocked!

Email: shanghaidogs@gmail.com

Many thanks!

JAR GROUP

Last edited by JAR on Oct 31, 2009 - 10:10 PM; edited 1 time in total

alixiw

Reacher

Joined: June 19, 2009
Posts: 291

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 31, 2009 - 11:57 AM

I would suggest to adopt a dog already in need of a home here. There are a lot of really cute ones at the rescue groups in town.

Also, no reputable dog breeder would ever sell to a pet shop-anywhere. All those pet shops that do their own breeding and those who sell to those shops are 'backyard breeders' (or 'greeders') or they're from puppy mills. They are only interested in producing puppies for money not in bettering the breed or even breeding to standard.

They aren't going to show you the parents or even know the lineage of the breed nor have they been breeding to breed out faults. It's only about money to them. very sad and for sure, something that shouldn't be supported (JMO).

Marino

Talker

Joined: June 27, 2009
Posts: 91

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Posted: Oct 31, 2009 - 12:30 PM

I have a friend who has lots of dogs for adoption. If you PM me with your email addy, I can send you the newsletter. I got my lovely dog from her and had to go through a very thorough interview.

badabum

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Joined: Mar 02, 2009
Posts: 33

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Posted: Nov 03, 2009 - 02:35 AM

Hi guys,

thanks for all your comments. We might have to abandon the dog idea altogether. We had planned to travel with the dog back to Europe every summer but had not thought about that quarantine etc would go BOTH ways, i.e. the dog would not be welcome backinto the EU coming from China either. And I wasn't really planning to get a full-time Ayi just so the dog would be safe over the summer...
I guess all you other dog owners out there leave it in the care of someone if you travel out of the country?

Medea
LoopKicker

Joined: May 05, 2008
Posts: 932
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow

Posted: Nov 04, 2009 - 02:54 AM

badabum wrote:

We might have to abandon the dog idea altogether. We had planned to travel with the dog back to Europe every summer

How many month are you going to stay in Europe every summer?

You know, it's a long distance flight. I don't think that a dog is enjoying this kind of trip. Especially when doggy has to travel in the hold.
I think I would only consider this if I had a chihuahua who is allowed to travel in the cabin.
Oh, and don't forget the airline fees. It may be quite cheap to take a dog to the US but when you are traveling to Europe or from Europe to China ALL the airline companies will charge you at least 30 Euro / kilo. (Of course dog + carrier)

And don't forget the costs for the Chinese health certificates... and the IATA carrier

badabum wrote:

but had not thought about that quarantine etc would go BOTH ways, i.e. the dog would not be welcome backinto the EU coming from China either.

Wrong. Quarantine does not apply to enter the EU:

Entry into Member States other than Finland, Malta, Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdom :
Your dog will need the following
- pets have to be identified by an electronic transponder
- Rabies vaccination
- and in addition rabies testing carried out by an approved lab on a blood sample taken three months before movement will be required for entry.
- health certificate for non-commercial movements of pets (Regulation (EC) No 998/2003)

Important: the rabies test is valid "forever" if : After the test, the animals must be given boosters at regular intervals prescribed by the vaccine producing laboratory. If the booster rules are not respected, the animal will have to be tested again after a new vaccination and the pet will again be considered to be in conformity with the rules only three months later.

Very important source:
http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/nocomm_third_en.htm

QUARANTINE Shanghai
Yep, I suppose that there is a quarantine everytime you enter Shanghai. (Kuro something like that in another thread)

badabum wrote:

And I wasn't really planning to get a full-time Ayi just so the dog would be safe over the summer...
I guess all you other dog owners out there leave it in the care of someone if you travel out of the country?

Who knows, maybe you will change your mind about the ayi? Wink

But there are other options as well
- maybe friends who'd love to look after your dog?
- reciprocal dog sitting (I have a dog too by the way Wink

)
- there are several kennels in Shanghai where you can board your dog
- nice neighbours
- pet shops

_________________
House to Wilson: "Words can hurt, you know ..."

JAR

Squeeker

Joined: Sep 28, 2009
Posts: 11
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 04, 2009 - 08:55 PM

badabum wrote:
I guess all you other dog owners out there leave it in the care of someone if you travel out of the country?

JAR can recommend a great place below! Edmond not only is good friends with us, G3 are also co-operating and supporting JAR.

http://www.guaigougou.com.cn/en/index.html

G3 Luxury Dog Hotel is a new dog daycare facility and boarding hotel, dedicated exclusively to the care of dogs, in Shanghai. Open 365 days a year, G3 offers dogs a safe, fun, and clean environment run by a staff of experts in canine care. Their number one goal is to provide you and your dog with the highest quality service available.
They offer hotel-style boarding, where each dog will have individual suites and bedrooms; with owners having 24 hour live webcam access to watch and to keep an eye on their dog online. From 7am to 7pm, he or she will be free to run inside and outside at our fully air conditioned play area and outdoor garden.
The search for a place that your dog will surely love is over.
It's true, with G3 Dogs, you've finally found it.

etc

Talker

Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 107

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 04, 2009 - 10:06 PM

Perhaps you might want to consider fostering a dog? If you get really attached, then you can decide whether you want the extra work of keeping it permanently. I have three dogs, plus a little kitten I just picked up off the street. I think I'm at my limit before I become a zoo. But dang if everyone doesn't just love all over me when I walk in the door everyday.

badabum

Lurker

Joined: Mar 02, 2009
Posts: 33

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 05, 2009 - 05:55 AM

Hello Medea,
thanks for the detailed update! I think friends or neighbors would take a dog for two weeks maybe (if they are not leaving during the summer vacation) but not for 6, and a kennel is probably not advisable for a longer time (and a 4-star dog-hotel not affordable...!!) Maybe the idea of a really small dog that could travel with us in the cabin is not so bad - can't be worse than traveling with a toddler. I'll have to contact the airlines and see what the regulations are on that one. I don't think we can take a try-out time - once the critter is in the house, the kids (and I) would never let it go again. So we better think this through!