RARE BREED DOGS FACE MATING DILEMMA
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City pet owners find it
tough when their exotic pet dogs come of age. Reason: there is no
suitable dog for them to mate with
It's a great feeling to own
an exotic pet. It's a feeling that springs from being able to afford and
take care of a beautiful, majestic and one-of-a-kind
creature.However, that comes with its own set of issues, especially when
they come of age and are ready to mate, say pet owners in Mumbai, who
own rare breeds. It's an obstacle that they have learnt to cope with and
overcome with time and experience.
MATING WOES
While people buying breeds like Chihuahua, Great Danes and Siberian Huskies on the rise, the problem of finding a mate for the pets also has gone up. Vikram Gangakhedkar, who got a Weimaraner, a German hunting dog, says he knew that it would be tough to find a mate for the pet, “Weimaraners are dogs that were used by royal families in the past, for hunting. I got one myself because I love the way they look and are very loyal.“
While Vikram didn't have any problems initially , when the dog came of age, it became increasingly energetic.“Around two years is when you have to find the dog a mate. If you don't, it becomes energetic and have to take them for long walks to let them release all that energy .“
Another dog owner, Bhavna Ruparel, who owns a Chihuahua, also faced a similar issue, “My doctor told me that unlike humans, mating for a dog is purely a physical thing, which, if avoided could lead to testicular cancer among other ailments.“
CROSS BREEDING
When a breed similar to your dog is not available for mating, one would think that a similar suitable breed could be mated with your dog. However, trainers advice against this. Mumbai based dog trainer Nilesh Narvekar says that mating a dog with a different breed has its own sets of problems. “Crossbreeding is not advisable. The litter of a cross-bred dog will have problems ranging from being too ferocious or dumb. There could also be health issues. However, the main problem could be that the next generation will not have papers, since crossbreeding is regulated. This way , these breeds too will have difficulty in finding a mate. Even if you have a litter that is very good, you still won't be able to have them participate in dog shows, as that is regulated too.“ Other problems like kidney issues, parasites and respiratory disorders are also prominent. Also, the congenial defects that breeds suffer from are amplified and acquired by the next generation. A recent article in a British newspaper pointed out the dangers of crossbreeding and cautioned that besides physical problems, crossbred dogs can suffer serious mental ailments too if the two dogs are of incompatible nature. So, as a rule, don't mate your dog breed with that of another breed to avoid future generations of the dog from developing serious ailments.
THE SOLUTION
The right age to mate your dog is when he is 18 months and upwards.Gangakhedkar, who hasn't mated his five-year-old Weimaraner yet, says he observed his dog would get more energetic than usual when he turned of mating age. “My dog is well mannered. But I noticed he became aggressive and excited. But I had researched this and I knew the reason for his behaviour.“ Trainer Narvekar says he would advise pet owners to give their dogs more exercise, which is exactly what Vikram did. “I increased the frequency of the walks with my dog and would make him walk at least six kilometres a day , as opposed to the usual three or four kilometres before.“ With this, your dog will spend his excess energy and not behave aggressively.
IS NEUTERING THE CURE?
While neutering dogs so they cannot produce offspring is a cure, many people don't do that for their dogs since neutered dogs act dormantly . “If you sterilize a dog, it would quieten him by more than 50%. He might act subdued.“ Says Narvekar.Even Vikram chose to not neuter his dog. “I don't want to change my dog's nature. He is sporty and loving. I have known friends who sterilised their dogs, who later acted rather lost after the procedure. I am okay with giving him more exercise and waiting to find a mate for him instead. That way , even I get more exercise,“ he grins.
AVENUES TO MATE
The reason rare male dog breeds have it tough is since most people prefer buying male dogs, as keeping a female dog proves to be more expensive. “Mostly it is breeders, who are in it for money , keep female dogs. This is why you will find breeds like Labradors, Pugs, German Shepherds and Alsatians in female dogs.“ Says Vikram, who found this as he approached other people to mate. However, there are several avenues you can tap to find a mate for your dog. “Social media can be used quite effectively to find a mate for your dog. There are also several websites where you can list your dog for mating.“ Says Narvekar, who also suggests going to dog shows, which are organised mostly in November and December across the city, if you have all the papers in place for your pet. So, don't let the mating problem discourage you from getting an exotic breed for yourself.
POPULAR RARE BREEDS IN MUMBAI
While people buying breeds like Chihuahua, Great Danes and Siberian Huskies on the rise, the problem of finding a mate for the pets also has gone up. Vikram Gangakhedkar, who got a Weimaraner, a German hunting dog, says he knew that it would be tough to find a mate for the pet, “Weimaraners are dogs that were used by royal families in the past, for hunting. I got one myself because I love the way they look and are very loyal.“
While Vikram didn't have any problems initially , when the dog came of age, it became increasingly energetic.“Around two years is when you have to find the dog a mate. If you don't, it becomes energetic and have to take them for long walks to let them release all that energy .“
Another dog owner, Bhavna Ruparel, who owns a Chihuahua, also faced a similar issue, “My doctor told me that unlike humans, mating for a dog is purely a physical thing, which, if avoided could lead to testicular cancer among other ailments.“
CROSS BREEDING
When a breed similar to your dog is not available for mating, one would think that a similar suitable breed could be mated with your dog. However, trainers advice against this. Mumbai based dog trainer Nilesh Narvekar says that mating a dog with a different breed has its own sets of problems. “Crossbreeding is not advisable. The litter of a cross-bred dog will have problems ranging from being too ferocious or dumb. There could also be health issues. However, the main problem could be that the next generation will not have papers, since crossbreeding is regulated. This way , these breeds too will have difficulty in finding a mate. Even if you have a litter that is very good, you still won't be able to have them participate in dog shows, as that is regulated too.“ Other problems like kidney issues, parasites and respiratory disorders are also prominent. Also, the congenial defects that breeds suffer from are amplified and acquired by the next generation. A recent article in a British newspaper pointed out the dangers of crossbreeding and cautioned that besides physical problems, crossbred dogs can suffer serious mental ailments too if the two dogs are of incompatible nature. So, as a rule, don't mate your dog breed with that of another breed to avoid future generations of the dog from developing serious ailments.
THE SOLUTION
The right age to mate your dog is when he is 18 months and upwards.Gangakhedkar, who hasn't mated his five-year-old Weimaraner yet, says he observed his dog would get more energetic than usual when he turned of mating age. “My dog is well mannered. But I noticed he became aggressive and excited. But I had researched this and I knew the reason for his behaviour.“ Trainer Narvekar says he would advise pet owners to give their dogs more exercise, which is exactly what Vikram did. “I increased the frequency of the walks with my dog and would make him walk at least six kilometres a day , as opposed to the usual three or four kilometres before.“ With this, your dog will spend his excess energy and not behave aggressively.
IS NEUTERING THE CURE?
While neutering dogs so they cannot produce offspring is a cure, many people don't do that for their dogs since neutered dogs act dormantly . “If you sterilize a dog, it would quieten him by more than 50%. He might act subdued.“ Says Narvekar.Even Vikram chose to not neuter his dog. “I don't want to change my dog's nature. He is sporty and loving. I have known friends who sterilised their dogs, who later acted rather lost after the procedure. I am okay with giving him more exercise and waiting to find a mate for him instead. That way , even I get more exercise,“ he grins.
AVENUES TO MATE
The reason rare male dog breeds have it tough is since most people prefer buying male dogs, as keeping a female dog proves to be more expensive. “Mostly it is breeders, who are in it for money , keep female dogs. This is why you will find breeds like Labradors, Pugs, German Shepherds and Alsatians in female dogs.“ Says Vikram, who found this as he approached other people to mate. However, there are several avenues you can tap to find a mate for your dog. “Social media can be used quite effectively to find a mate for your dog. There are also several websites where you can list your dog for mating.“ Says Narvekar, who also suggests going to dog shows, which are organised mostly in November and December across the city, if you have all the papers in place for your pet. So, don't let the mating problem discourage you from getting an exotic breed for yourself.
POPULAR RARE BREEDS IN MUMBAI
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