<p>Dog breeders are thriving, with the demand for pups increasing during the lockdown.</p>.<p>They are using the opportunity to increase their prices.</p>.<p>With work from home being adapted globally, people feel they have the time to have pets, and that has put pressure on breeders.</p>.<p>Bengaluru is known as “the dog breeding centre of India” because of its favourable weather conditions.</p>.<p>Breeds like Husky, Alaskan Malamute can be easily bred here, and not so much in cities like Chennai.</p>.<p>Earlier, the former had just 15 to 20 certified dog breeders, whereas now, there are just about five lakh (both authorised and unauthorised).</p>.<p>Unauthorised dog breeders and illegal pet shops are rampant in Bengaluru.</p>.<p>Before the pandemic, says Satish Cadaboms, owner of Cadaboms Kennels, dogs used to be sent in vehicles for mating.</p>.<p>Due to transport restrictions, the availability of puppies has decreased and prices have shot through the roof, he says.</p>.<p>“Ideally, dogs are mated once a year to ensure the health of the mother and the litter. Now, the greed for money has pushed the breeders to mate them once in six months. Buyers are ready to pay more than what’s asked for just to skip the queue,” he says.</p>.<p> The central government is encouraging all breeders to register at the Animal Welfare Board of India, but illegal breeders are aplenty.</p>.<p>Many breeders don’t vaccinate their puppies before selling as it cuts into their profits.</p>.<p>Sujith Samuel, owner of Bangalore Puppy Farm, says a female dog can be used for breeding three or four times in her lifetime. “When you are an ethical breeder, lockdown or not, you will be true to your ethics,” he says. </p>.<p>Puppies not fit for sale are abandoned to die on the streets. Many dogs suffer from hormonal issues like hyperthyroidism.</p>.<p>They should not be used for breeding, as the disease is carried on to the next generation. By breeding such dogs, breeders are only betraying their customers, he says.</p>.<p>Shivani, architect and animal welfare activist who works for Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organization, says, “In India, people associate pedigree dogs with economic status. Breeders are opportunists... no wonder they are selling these lives at higher rates than ever.”</p>.<p><strong>Dog Breed </strong></p>.<p><strong>Price before lockdown / Price after lockdown</strong><br />Cocker Spaniel - Rs 15,000/ Rs 25,000<br />Shih Tzu - Rs 15,000/Rs 35,000<br />Beagle - Rs 25,000/ Rs 45,000<br />Labrador Retriever - Rs 15,000/Rs 25,000/-<br />Golden Retriever - Rs 25,000/ Rs 40,000<br />German Shepherd - Rs 20,000/Rs 40,000</p>
<p>Dog breeders are thriving, with the demand for pups increasing during the lockdown.</p>.<p>They are using the opportunity to increase their prices.</p>.<p>With work from home being adapted globally, people feel they have the time to have pets, and that has put pressure on breeders.</p>.<p>Bengaluru is known as “the dog breeding centre of India” because of its favourable weather conditions.</p>.<p>Breeds like Husky, Alaskan Malamute can be easily bred here, and not so much in cities like Chennai.</p>.<p>Earlier, the former had just 15 to 20 certified dog breeders, whereas now, there are just about five lakh (both authorised and unauthorised).</p>.<p>Unauthorised dog breeders and illegal pet shops are rampant in Bengaluru.</p>.<p>Before the pandemic, says Satish Cadaboms, owner of Cadaboms Kennels, dogs used to be sent in vehicles for mating.</p>.<p>Due to transport restrictions, the availability of puppies has decreased and prices have shot through the roof, he says.</p>.<p>“Ideally, dogs are mated once a year to ensure the health of the mother and the litter. Now, the greed for money has pushed the breeders to mate them once in six months. Buyers are ready to pay more than what’s asked for just to skip the queue,” he says.</p>.<p> The central government is encouraging all breeders to register at the Animal Welfare Board of India, but illegal breeders are aplenty.</p>.<p>Many breeders don’t vaccinate their puppies before selling as it cuts into their profits.</p>.<p>Sujith Samuel, owner of Bangalore Puppy Farm, says a female dog can be used for breeding three or four times in her lifetime. “When you are an ethical breeder, lockdown or not, you will be true to your ethics,” he says. </p>.<p>Puppies not fit for sale are abandoned to die on the streets. Many dogs suffer from hormonal issues like hyperthyroidism.</p>.<p>They should not be used for breeding, as the disease is carried on to the next generation. By breeding such dogs, breeders are only betraying their customers, he says.</p>.<p>Shivani, architect and animal welfare activist who works for Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organization, says, “In India, people associate pedigree dogs with economic status. Breeders are opportunists... no wonder they are selling these lives at higher rates than ever.”</p>.<p><strong>Dog Breed </strong></p>.<p><strong>Price before lockdown / Price after lockdown</strong><br />Cocker Spaniel - Rs 15,000/ Rs 25,000<br />Shih Tzu - Rs 15,000/Rs 35,000<br />Beagle - Rs 25,000/ Rs 45,000<br />Labrador Retriever - Rs 15,000/Rs 25,000/-<br />Golden Retriever - Rs 25,000/ Rs 40,000<br />German Shepherd - Rs 20,000/Rs 40,000</p>