Comments on: Dog Days http://mattschiavenza.com/2009/02/06/dog-days/ From the Dragon to the Apple- A Sinophile in New York Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:51:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ben Ross http://mattschiavenza.com/2009/02/06/dog-days/comment-page-1/#comment-54189 Ben Ross Sat, 14 Feb 2009 20:13:26 +0000 http://mattschiavenza.com/?p=457#comment-54189 I think the biggest problem facing the explosion of pet dogs in China is that most Chinese people are reluctant to have them spayed or neutered. The result is rapidly turning into what you have in the US (too many dogs, not enough owners), but on a much larger scale. Litters of pet dogs often end up as feral dogs roaming the streets, defecating all over, wreaking havoc, and most importantly, as you mentioned, spreading rabies. I think the interesting thing to point out is that pet ownership (like car ownership) is a a direct product of the emerging middle class, and thus is still in its infancy. As Chris alludes to, the stage of pet ownership in Beijing (and probably Shanghai) is still several years ahead of the rest of the country. Hopefully, as time passes, and people become more educated about pets, the situation will gradually begin to improve. I think the biggest problem facing the explosion of pet dogs in China is that most Chinese people are reluctant to have them spayed or neutered. The result is rapidly turning into what you have in the US (too many dogs, not enough owners), but on a much larger scale. Litters of pet dogs often end up as feral dogs roaming the streets, defecating all over, wreaking havoc, and most importantly, as you mentioned, spreading rabies.

I think the interesting thing to point out is that pet ownership (like car ownership) is a a direct product of the emerging middle class, and thus is still in its infancy. As Chris alludes to, the stage of pet ownership in Beijing (and probably Shanghai) is still several years ahead of the rest of the country. Hopefully, as time passes, and people become more educated about pets, the situation will gradually begin to improve.

]]> By: Kellen http://mattschiavenza.com/2009/02/06/dog-days/comment-page-1/#comment-53151 Kellen Tue, 10 Feb 2009 02:37:07 +0000 http://mattschiavenza.com/?p=457#comment-53151 Here I rarely see leashes. It's something I noticed when I first came to Shanghai as well. Though most of the dogs are kept in purses or bags, plenty run around wit their owners shouting at them to return, usually with little effect. Here I rarely see leashes. It’s something I noticed when I first came to Shanghai as well. Though most of the dogs are kept in purses or bags, plenty run around wit their owners shouting at them to return, usually with little effect.

]]> By: chriswaugh_bj http://mattschiavenza.com/2009/02/06/dog-days/comment-page-1/#comment-52916 chriswaugh_bj Sun, 08 Feb 2009 03:48:13 +0000 http://mattschiavenza.com/?p=457#comment-52916 Leashes are reasonably common in downtown Beijing- as are dog-shit pathed footpaths, especially in this part of town. But up in our village I have never yet seen a leash and the dogs are left pretty much to live life the way they see fit- including our dog. Fortunately they're all pretty well socialised and generally only fight amongst themselves. Those that would be likely to pick a fight with a human tend to be kept chained or locked up- and I can't help but wonder if that's half the reason they make so much noise when people enter their courtyard. Leashes are reasonably common in downtown Beijing- as are dog-shit pathed footpaths, especially in this part of town. But up in our village I have never yet seen a leash and the dogs are left pretty much to live life the way they see fit- including our dog. Fortunately they’re all pretty well socialised and generally only fight amongst themselves. Those that would be likely to pick a fight with a human tend to be kept chained or locked up- and I can’t help but wonder if that’s half the reason they make so much noise when people enter their courtyard.

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