Coimbatore: Senthil Reddy, who lives in a village on the outskirts of Trichy, bought a boxer pup four months ago. With his children stuck at home, he thought it would be easier to handle a new pup.
He says, “We have been planning to get a dog for a long time. When the lockdown was imposed, I felt it would give my children some screen-free time.”
Reddy isn’t the only one who bought a pet during the lockdown. Pet shops and breeders say there has been a spike in demand for pets, be it dogs, cats or birds (lovebirds and finches, among others), after the lockdown was imposed. Many families with children, young couples and working professionals have bought pets to keep them company, occupied and to soothe their mind.
K Deepak, president, Indian Dog Breeders Association, who breeds golden retrievers and boxers, confirms there has been a spike in demand for pets of late. “The buyers were mostly families with children and young IT employees who have moved back to the district from Bengaluru to work from home. The new buyers mostly want medium sized breeds such as labradors, boxers and golden retrievers or small breeds such as beagles, French bulldogs and Shih Tzus.”
Vithun, a city-based second year visual communication student, had bought a golden retriever pup two months ago to keep him and his brother occupied at home. “I thought we could take care of it and train it as we are at home. It would also be a security for the house.”
The surge in demand has shot up the prices of pets by 40%. This has also attracted many new breeders to the field.
R K Raja, who used to run computer centre for students at Subramania Nagar, says business is almost nil as the schools and colleges haven’t reopened so far. “I always had dogs that I used to send for mating. The pups I got in return were either sold or given away. With no business happening, I bought one more rottweiler and a female labrador and started breeding. I have had a litter of pups so far and they all have been sold out.”
Another new breeder is building constructor P Guhan, of Thondamuthur, who along with his wife, has chosen to breed German shepherds. “People are willing to spend more on a well-bred dog with German import parents. So, it is encouraging.”
The price of German shepherds and boxers is anywhere near Rs50,000, especially if both the parents are direct imports. “The price of labradors with Indian parents has increased to upwards of Rs15,000 from Rs10,000 and that of rottweilers has shot up to Rs25,000 from Rs15,000,” says Raja. Boxers and Beagles are priced above Rs30,000, compared to Rs15,000-Rs20,000 earlier. The British and French bulldogs with Indian parents are also priced upwards Rs30,000.