LookAtVietnam Bridge – More and more families in Hanoi are spending money and time caring for their beloved dogs.

Pet friendly: A youth holds his dogs at an ‘offline meeting’ organised by members of an online forum for dog lovers at Thuyen Quang Lake in Hanoi.

Every fortnight, on Sundays, from 9 am onwards, a corner of the Thuyen Quang Lake in Hanoi becomes especially animated. Hundreds of dogs lovers from the capital and nearby provinces come out in droves for what has become an informal dog show.

Dozens of dogs of various breeds, all colours, and sizes bustle around their owners, all the while making desperate attempts to escape and "meet" other dogs. The commonality is that irrespective of size, shape and colour, they all wear a look of excitement on their faces. At this now festive fortnightly event one will find all kinds of dogs: from the ferocious looking Rhodesian Ridgeback to the mischievous Chihuahua, or the Bulldog known for its apparent "frown" on its short muzzle to maybe a Bull Terrier with its "egg-shaped" head or the gentle Japanese dog with a coat that resembles white feathers.

Breed spectrum

It is not uncommon in the capital to see a young girl clutching her Chihuahua in her arms, much as if it was a purse, as she walks down the street or a young man on a motorbike with two Bulldogs as his pillion passengers or even an old man leading (or being led by) a German Shepherd.

This is a far cry from the time when Vietnamese families kept dogs to ward off thieves or guard their homes. Today people are keeping and breeding dogs for the love of it, as a hobby or even for show.

"The number of dog breeds has become more abundant in Vietnam. Thanks to the integration process, dog lovers can buy any breed from abroad," said Hoang Ngoc Bau, a veterinarian who breeds Labradors.

Hanoians can choose the dog’s breed according to their tastes and living conditions.

"Girls often go for toy dogs like the Terrier, Chihuahua, Fox Terrier whereas generally people love the German Shepherd, Great Dane, Rottweiller and Golden Labrador," he said.

The toy dogs, with their small sizes, are very popular amongst smaller families or families who live in smaller spaces in Hanoi. Many choose the Chihuahua or Fox just because they love how cute they look when held in their arms.

Dogs have needs too

More and more pet owners have realised how important it is to care for their pet and dedicate a lot of time in learning about how best to care for their dogs.

"I often spend time playing with my pet, taking him for a walk, talking to him like I would a friend. He understands whatever we say to him, it’s just that he can’t talk back. Raising a pet is not unlike raising a child," said Nguyen Thi Hanh, in Ba Dinh District, who has owned a French Bulldog for a year.

"My Miniature Pinscher is very emotional; he often wants to sleep with me, share my joys and sadness. He has become a member of my family," said Pham Thanh Hoa.

There is also a rise in pet stores in Hanoi, where owners can buy all sorts of dog paraphernalia: toys, clothes, collars, combs and leashes. Some families are even ready to spend VND500,000-800,000 to hire a person who can look after their dogs.

"Foreigners are willing to spend hundreds of US dollars (sometimes thousands) to ensure their pet is happy and healthy. It seems only the nouveau riche Vietnamese are willing to go that far," said Aviva West, a young Canadian woman who has lived in Hanoi for several years and owns a Chihuahua. "Also, foreigners would never consider eating dog meat which is quite common in northern Vietnam. The distinction between ‘dinner dog’ and ‘house dog’ is not one many foreigners are willing to make."

Animal connection

A common love for pets connects people from different corners and brings them together. Two forums that are popular among dogs lovers are www.vietpet.com and www.vietdog.com. Everyone, irrespective of age and gender, can take part in these forums

And now thanks to the fortnightly get togethers, users can actually step out of their online screen persona and meet other users in person, and with dog.

"As a veterinarian, I use the website to help others understand how to care for their pets and prevent them from getting sick. Pets will live healthily if their owners have thorough knowledge about their habits and a genuine love for them," he added.

The Viet Nam Dog Breeders Association was set up in March this year in HCM City. "It’s time Vietnamese dog lovers united together to protect and develop the precious and rare breeds of Vietnamese dogs which can be sent abroad too," said Nguyen Van Lang, known as the country’s foremost dog breeder.

(Source: Viet Nam News)