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Punjabi Dog Race
The craze for the sport has lead to the increases demand for pure bred dogs. The race is carried out for two days in the rural Punjab between December and February. Among the many NRI participants is Birmingham-based Sukhbir Singh who recently visited the Burpur village near Jalandhar along with his pedigree pet.
Every year these NRI's spend a huge sum on the airfare and pet care. "I have brought this dog from England (Birmingham) I have put its cost at Rs. 500,000 (6,990.90 pounds or 10,000 USD) and its airfare from England to India cost me 200 pounds, whereas its cage cost me 150 pounds and medical fitness cost me 150 pounds." says Sukhbir Singh, a non-resident Indian and Dog racer.
"I have come from Canada to participate in the dog race. I have brought three dogs, and their price ranges from 8,000 USD to 16,000 USD. Dog races are my hobby. I belong to Moga district." says Bhola Singh Rolly, another NRI dog racer.
The main show stealers are the lithe and lissome dog breeds from Canada, America and Ireland . These little 'sports dogs' can win up to 1,300 USD, as the first prize and second and third runners up bagged 790 dollars and 530 dollars respectively. However the NRI's claim that it is not the money that matters but the tradition of Punjab that they wish to keep alive.
Ranvir Singh Gill, the dog race organizer, said: "These dogs are being brought from Canada, America, England and Ireland. Each dog costs from 10,000 USD to 20,000 USD. The participants bring them after paying huge airfare. They participate in events held from December to February, and then, they leave for their respective countries. It costs much on their personal care. They are being served a good diet like half-a-kg of meat everyday, milk products etc. Their daily exercise includes 6 to 8 miles of running."
The dog race in Punjab has increased the demand for pure breed in dogs like Labrador, the Pug, Beagle, Doberman Pinscher and the German Shepherd. The customers, mainly Punjabies, shell out enormous amounts for the right breed. Harish, a Dog breeder, said: "Earlier, people used to keep local breed of dogs, but now no one goes for it. Now, people are demanding foreign bred dogs. So, we are breeding dogs as per demand."
India is rapidly growing into one of the highest pet care markets after Japan with an expected growth up to 74 million USD by 2012. The market is currently estimated to be 35 million USD for pet care and pet food.
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