Tibetan Mastiffs: a risky, ferocious status symbol(2)

PLATEAU DOGS GO GLOBAL

The booming Tibetan Mastiff trade has been a boon for related industries, including mastiff feed and medical equipment manufacturing, mastiff shows, exhibitions and forums, and the production of audio and video programs designed to promote the plateau dogs.

Beijing businessman Wang Haoming opened a portal website in 2009 to share information on mastiff breeding and trading with breeders across the nation.

"We are doing business in Beijing, Xining, Dalian, Jinan, Taiyuan and Shenzhen," said Wang, chief executive of 315hn.com. "We will soon launch the overseas edition of our website, now that many overseas breeders are becoming interested in raising mastiffs."

Mastiff breeder Yan Liyong said he receives potential customers from abroad almost every year. "Most foreign customers admire the pedigree of Tibetan Mastiffs and we're planning to tap overseas markets, particularly Germany, Spain and Russia."

At least 100 Tibetan Mastiffs are sold to Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States annually, said Zhang Xiaofeng, deputy director of the CNKC.

"But dog husbandry is a fledgling industry in China and we need to ensure its sound and sustained development to gain international recognition," he said.

As a first step, he said China needs to keep pace with international standards in terms of dog breeding, promotion and marketing.

He said the Ministry of Agriculture has issued a set of industry standards for Tibetan Mastiff breeding. These standards cover breeder qualifications, dog registration and health assessment criteria.

Meanwhile, the China Animal Agriculture Association has worked out regulations on the management of mastiff clubs and exhibitions.

LOOMING RISKS

While a growing number of dog lovers and breeders see mastiff breeding as a gold mine, industry insiders have warned of risks for breeders, dealers and buyers.

"The 'dog bubble' may one day burst," warned Zhou Yi, secretary-general of the Qinghai Tibetan Mastiff Association.

In an interview with Xinhua late Tuesday, Zhou said Qinghai Province is home to more than 20,000 mastiff breeders.

"Only one percent of the dogs are top pedigree and the legendary cash cows that can fetch over one million yuan," said Zhou.

As a result, 80 percent of the top dogs rely on inbreeding for reproduction, he said. "This is neither normal nor rational, and may threaten the species' very existence in the long run."

Though Chinese scholars have carried out research on Tibetan Mastiffs and their pedigree, there is a lack of international recognition and cooperation, said Ding Limin, a professor with China Agricultural University's school of animal science and technology.

"Many farms also lack scientific breeding skills," said Ding.

If no action is taken to regulate the industry and preserve the mastiffs' pedigree, Zhou said he expects a major downturn in a year or two, when about 60 percent of existing farms will close.

"If that happens, the Tibetan herders who are hoping to build their fortunes on mastiffs will suffer the most."