This Tibetan Mastiff is for sale in Serangoon Gardens Pets Station for $45K!!

[Rogue Trader]

Would you buy this dog for $45k?

This Tibetan mastiff being sold by Pets' Station Holdings costs a whopping $45,000.


AsiaOne
Saturday, Mar 24, 2012
SINGAPORE - This Tibetan mastiff being sold by Pets' Station Holdings costs a whopping $45,000.

And what's more shocking is that, according to a spokesman for the pet shop located in Serangoon Gardens, there have been no lack of takers for the 13-month-old dog, with about four or five buyers expressing interest.

The dog, which has not yet been named, was put up for sale on 88DB.com, a classified platform under JobsDB.com.

The online advertisement, which was last updated in Nov 28 last year, shows two pictures of the brown shaggy dog and invites interested parties to drop by the store to view it during weekends or call for more details.

When contacted by The Straits Times (ST), the shop owner did not want to talk about the hefty price tag. However, staff members interviewed said the high price is due to the dog's rare breed and auspicious factor.

According to ST, a Tibetan mastiff is believed to bring blessings to its owner's health and security.

Last year, an 11-month-old Tibetan mastiff named Hong Dong ("Big Splash") was sold for a record 10 million yuan (S$2 million) in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao.

According to reports, they have become status symbols among China's newly rich, driving up their prices to range in the hundreds of thousands.

It was touted as the 'priciest dog in the world' by the media.

Other Tibetan mastiff owners include Queen Victoria, King George IV and Genghis Khan.

They are known for their courage, even temper and loyalty, and can grow to weigh up to 77kg, stand 71cm tall and live for up to 14 years.

ST interviewed another pet shop selling a Tibetan mastiff for a much lower price of $15,000.

Pet Grooming Centre in Pasir Ris Farmway is selling a Taiwan-imported Tibetan mastiff about two years and a month old.
Brought in when it was seven months old, it has yet to find a buyer.

The significant price difference may be due to it being bigger or of better quality overall, owner Mr Kelvin Ng said.


[email][email protected][/EMAIL]

According to a spokesman for the pet shop, about four or five buyers have expressed interest.

The 13-month-old dog's hefty price tag could be due to the its rare breed and auspicious factor

A man holds up his Tibetan mastiff as they perform on stage during a dog beauty contest at an exhibition center in Shenyang. The dogs have become status symbols among China's newly rich, driving up their prices to range in the hundreds of thousands.

Last year, an 11-month-old Tibetan mastiff named Hong Dong ("Big Splash") was sold for a record 10 million yuan (S$2 million) in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao.

 

[RonRon]

$45k for a Tibetan Mastiff is consider a below average breed

 

[Raiders]

$45k for a Tibetan Mastiff is consider a below average breed

Where would you recommend to get a puppy in Singapore at a affordable price? Also, besides chihuahua, is there any other breed that will remain small size? I like small dogs but chihuahua is too anaroxic looking for me.

 

[zeddy]

I once read that the original Tibetan Mastiff dogs are quite ferocious and back in Tibet, they are used to guard farms and homes from intruders..

 

[groober2011]

Where would you recommend to get a puppy in Singapore at a affordable price? Also, besides chihuahua, is there any other breed that will remain small size? I like small dogs but chihuahua is too anaroxic looking for me.

Try this site and see what suits you as most are available in Singapore. http://www.google.com.sg/search?tbm...l6860l0l9346l8l8l0l0l0l0l90l549l8l8l0.frgbld.


Once chosen then look for a good and reputable petshop although I strongly recommend you do your homework as petshops sell whatever they have. Best to talk to owners during a dog show and find out more. Quality comes with a price and buying from a local breeder is better than from local importers as they are more interested in profits imo.

 

[groober2011]

I once read that the original Tibetan Mastiff dogs are quite ferocious and back in Tibet, they are used to guard farms and homes from intruders..

They may not be suitable for our climate and I pity the dog. For that price only the rich can afford putting them in air conditioned kennel.

 

[Raiders]

Once chosen then look for a good and reputable petshop although I strongly recommend you do your homework as petshops sell whatever they have. Best to talk to owners during a dog show and find out more. Quality comes with a price and buying from a local breeder is better than from local importers as they are more interested in profits imo.

Thanks brother

 

[Narong Wongwan]

They may not be suitable for our climate and I pity the dog. For that price only the rich can afford putting them in air conditioned kennel.

Yes agree. Knn torturing the dog

 

[looneytan]

Wah HaHa For Ah Ram it's going to be $45K dinner

 

[groober2011]

Thanks brother

Welcome bro. Just weigh the pros and cons as some dogs have inbred problems such as pugs with protuding eyes which require constant cleaning, pekingese same problem plus face needs cleaning due to short snout. Dogs with long hair needs proper grooming and etc. The dog's temperament also plays a part so you have to choose wisely otherwise what should be pleasurable and give you joy, can make your life a living hell. Ask yourself before making a commitment, "do I really love dogs or want one because I am bored?"

 

[Raiders]

Welcome bro. Just weigh the pros and cons as some dogs have inbred problems such as pugs with protuding eyes which require constant cleaning, pekingese same problem plus face needs cleaning due to short snout. Dogs with long hair needs proper grooming and etc. The dog's temperament also plays a part so you have to choose wisely otherwise what should be pleasurable and give you joy, can make your life a living hell. Ask yourself before making a commitment, "do I really love dogs or want one because I am bored?"

Yes brother. Family members also plays an important factor in decision making. I understand your point. It also hurts me sometimes to see abandon pets or neglected pets. The worse people are those that buy the pets for their children to play with without understanding that children will not know how to really care for a pet. In the end, you see pets with wounded legs, eyeballs and furs. After the children are tired of the pets, the street and the SPCA would be the next destination for them.

I think i shall consider the option of adopting from SPCA also.

 

[looneytan]

I think i shall consider the option of adopting from SPCA also.

I got one lazy corgy whole day sleeping oni, if you want I will donate to you

 

[breaknews]

Where did the rich fury hairs go?

Some rich freaks want to play god again, by importing such dogs here?

 

[Raiders]

I got one lazy corgy whole day sleeping oni, if you want I will donate to you

Just did a google on corgi. Haha, my wife and I used to wonder what sort of dog is that. The legs are so cute. How old is he/she?

 

[zeddy]

They may not be suitable for our climate and I pity the dog. For that price only the rich can afford putting them in air conditioned kennel.

You are right.. The dog needs big space to move around and it will be also be difficult for the dog with a hot climate like ours..:(

 

[Rogue Trader]

buying from a local breeder is better than from local importers as they are more interested in profits imo.

you sure? I heard some local breeders do line breeding.. means mating father and daughter. Australian breeders are safer.

I've been planning on getting a dog... Saw a Tibetan Mastiff at Serangoon Gardens Pets station going for 12k. Was really tempted but bro Drifter (the sammyboy dog king) advised prudence.

 

[Rogue Trader]

I got one lazy corgy whole day sleeping oni, if you want I will donate to you

Lazy? Corgies are supposed to be herding dogs leh!

 

[groober2011]

you sure? I heard some local breeders do line breeding.. means mating father and daughter. Australian breeders are safer.

I've been planning on getting a dog... Saw a Tibetan Mastiff at Serangoon Gardens Pets station going for 12k. Was really tempted but bro Drifter (the sammyboy dog king) advised prudence.

Petshops and dog farms are in the business of making money from trading in pets. Their sources may be good or bad, but who is to know? One batch could be from a reputable breeder whereas another from a puppy mill (puppy factory). Registration papers could also be doctored and may not be genuine.

Here is an article from the Singapore Kennel Club.

"REGISTERED SPECIALTY BREEDERS

These are knowledgeable home breeders of specific breeds of dogs. Registered breeders are supposed to be ethical in their breeding practices, maintaining high standards of breed conformity and have entered their dogs in championship dog shows. Each breeder usually specialises in one or two specific breeds only. These breeders usually will find out your needs in obtaining a dog, talk to you to assess your knowledge of dog care and to find out if your living environment is suitable. It is also advisable for you to visit their home where the breeding pair resides. They will usually quote you a price for a dog (usually a puppy). They will also normally follow up with you after you take home the dog to check if everything is going smoothly. If your breeder cannot prove to you that his or her dog has competed in dog shows, or that he or she seems like just a run-of-the-mill amateur home breeder, or someone who is just waiting for you to part with your wallet, then do not proceed further.

The best place to find reputable registered dog breeders is at a dog show. Most dog shows these days have “ambassadors” stationed at a counter to help the uninitiated better understand about breeds and showing. Talk to these ambassadors to find out more. Breeders who advertise in the newspapers may not be genuine ethical registered breeders. Reputable registered dog breeders also do not normally breed dogs for sale at pet shops.

[h=3]ADS FROM PET OWNERS[/h] Dog owners who have mated their dogs produce litters of puppies and then try to sell them away by advertising in online or print classifieds, or post notices on online forums or notice boards at supermarkets or condomium clubhouses, etc. Sometimes, these pet owners may advertise using the word “adoption” but upon further negotiation, it turns out more to be an outright sale. These pet owners as it seems have not sterilised their dogs and have even allowed them to mate. Do not encourage such irresponsible behaviour by buying puppies from them. The only exception whereby you can consider buying a puppy is when the pet owners have sterilised the breeding pair after the litter was born in order to prevent future accidental mating. You may request to view the certificate of sterilisation in such cases.


Some other dog owners, due to their personal circumstances are selling their adult dogs, while some others are selling or giving away dogs that they have found. It is advisable to meet up with the dog owner at the place where the dog resides to see and interact with the dog before making any decision.


Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD) runs a public adoption board on their website where you can browse lots of dogs that are genuinely available for adoptions.

[h=3]PET FARMS[/h] Pet farms are usually large establishments in one of the rural (or rather, sub-urban) areas such as Pasir Ris Farmway, Lim Chu Kang or Kranji. Generally, they consist of two portions: a storefront and a larger unseen section where breeding animals are kept, although a few do not breed in-house but import the animals.


Store fronts are usually very presentable with display kennels of different breeds of dogs and dogs for sale, as well as sales staff to assist if you need help. Prices are generally not cheap (they exist for profit-making just like any business) and the breed quality depends very much on how the breeding parents are chosen and how well they are cared for behind the scenes.
It has been reported by certain animal welfare organisations that at certain pet farms, unscrupulous breeding occurs behind the scenes and the dogs that are used for breeding may be kept in appalling conditions, while they churn out litter after litter not unlike a production line. If you really have to buy from a pet farm, please request to view the kennels of the parent dogs used for breeding if you feel the need to. If you are not allowed to view them, no matter what reason is given, it is wise to think twice (or thrice) before buying from them. If the animal is claimed to be imported, do ask to see the import documents and overseas breed certification, and make sure they are genuine. Check with the Singapore Kennel Club (SKC) and search online for characteristics and pictures of the breed you are intending to buy before actually buying them from pet farms so that you are better able to ascertain the breed quality. Some of these pet farms may even supply pets to middlemen and/or to your friendly neighbourhood pet store, which makes it even harder for you to know whether the pet you are buying is from an ethical source or not.


After all that have been said, good pet farms operating on ethical principles do exist, but they are not common. Over the years, a perception has somehow arisen that being ethical and operating a pet farm just doesn’t mix.

[h=3]PET SHOPS[/h] Not all pet shops sell pets. Only some display pets for sale, while some others feel it is not ethical to sell pets. Just like pet farms, pet shops sell pets to make a profit like any other business. Therefore, prices are not cheap, breed quality and pet health also needs to be carefully checked. Some pet shops have good hygiene and healthy pets for sale, while some other pet shops may not have hygienic display kennels. Let your common sense help you make the judgment. Most pets in pet shops are obtained from either local unregistered breeders (a.k.a. pet farms) or overseas breeders. Pet shops usually would not reveal the pet farm or unregistered breeder that the pet came from. Some animal welfare advocates advise against buying pets from a pet shop or a pet farm as it perpetuates the cycle of commercial and unethical breeding of pets, while many other pets are abandoned or put down.


If you do shop for pets in a pet stop, check all the pet kennels on display. If a skin problem can be spotted on a single dog, or even if one kennel is unclean, it is not wise to buy from the pet shop as there is a chance that communicable diseases can be transmitted within animals in the same pet shop. However, there are many other diseases that can be contracted by your new pet before the sale, while appearing without any sign or symptom during the purchase. If you do buy from a pet shop and your new pet falls ill, seek veterinary advice immediately to ensure the disease is contracted before the sale, and then try to claim veterinary fees from the pet shop. Do not ever be persuaded into an exchange for another pet.


There are definitely pet shops out there selling pets ethically and honestly, in a clean environment. However, the difficulty is in finding them, as they are not common."

 

[Kinana]

This dog long hair dog is not suitable for local weather. SPCA should look into this.

 

[groober2011]

Let me elaborate further to my above post about Singapore's puppy mills. Here is a report from CNN...http://www.cnngo.com/singapore/puppy-mills-pet-store-337803

So would be buyers of puppies beware and be extra cautious when shopping for a pet.