In some areas of China, the rise in popularity of the Tibetan Mastiff dog is both an economic boom and animal welfare concern. A sign of prosperity and protection in Tibet for centuries, the Tibetan Mastiff is becoming more popular. With price tags as high as $ 600,000 for a purebred animal, Tibetan Mastiffs are concerning some animal welfare activists.

The popularity of the Tibetan Mastiff

At one point, the Tibetan Mastiff was considered a holy animal by Tibetans. Having a Tibetan Mastiff is considered a sign of security. Some Tibetan Mastiff dogs are huge, reaching 180 pounds or more. Many Tibetan Mastiff dogs are cross-bred, and finding true purebreds is difficult. Some dog breeders even go as far as to poach purebred Tibetan Mastiff dogs.

Keeping a Tibetan Mastiff in China

Owning a dog in China used to be banned. The Party considered owning a dog a sign of the "bourgeois" society. Though there is no longer a ban on animal ownership, it costs more than $ 100 to license a dog, and the registration process can take months. Dogs must be registered with the neighborhood committee and police security bureau. To register the dog, a owner must provide photos of the dog, proof of home ownership or lease, and extensive applications. These regulations and costs, on top of the a number of hundred thousand dollar cost of purchasing a Tibetan Mastiff, makes owning the pet an costly proposition.

Mastiffs as a status symbol?

Though the Tibetan Mastiff is generally considered a very kind and friendly pet, many of the wealthy owners and breeders that deal in Tibetan Mastiffs view them as more than pets. The couple that purchased the dog known as Yangtze River Number Two keeps their $ 600,000 dog in a cage. The obsession with Tibetan Mastiffs is called "dangerous" by the International Center for Veterinary Services in Beijing. The Centre notes that most of these "pets" are kept in cages and put on display more than treated like pets. Breeders and owners dispute this claim, pointing out that keeping a Tibetan Mastiff takes extensive care.

More on this topic

MSNBC

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Global Times

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