Female pups are good pets

Pets are man’s best friends. The love and bonding between pets and man is selfless. But, pets do have a choice whereas man has his own priorities and preferences. While some are satisfied with adoption of puppies of stray dogs, others opt for pure breeds, finds out T R Sathish Kumar

Several kennels are catering to the needs of persons who seek pure breeds, while many more have sprung up recently in Mysore and surrounding areas in view of increased demand for puppies. The recent development is, kennels putting up cages on main roads – enhancing visibility and accessibility.

Praise the Lord Kennels of Palahalli in Srirangapatana (on KRS road) is the first to place a cage on Hunsur road near Manasagangothri, opposite Paduvarahalli. Francis Xavier, who only did SSLC, is the second generation person in his family to be in the business. His father Anthony Raj was in the business for over 15 years. When personal health took a toll on him nine years ago, Francis stepped into his father’s shoes. He could do so, with ease, as he was fond of pets from his childhood days and had learnt the basics of breeds and breeding by observing his father at work.

He says, since his family is in the business for many years, he knows many dog owners and he does not depend on professional breeders for breeding. He says male dogs with breeders are overused and lose vigour and strength.

He has a good network with other breeders and dog owners, so he can get puppies of any breed on demand. Even if he does not have puppies of his customers’ choice, he gets them at reasonable rates from others.

Francis says, pomeranians – which are also reasonably priced – are in great demand due to their size and cuteness. They are also less violent, so they are the most preferred gifts for loved ones.
 The others in demand are labradors, retrievers, doberman and German shepherds.  Saint Bernards and bull mastiff s are the exotic ones sought after in Mysore city. There are still more expensive and rare ones, but they are not sold in Mysore.

He refers books and consults doctors to know more about puppies. He is not happy with customers’ choice only for male puppies. From his knowledge and experience, he says female puppies are good pets.

He provides boarding for puppies and dogs at his kennel at reasonable price, when their owners go out of station and takes good care of them.  He also delivers non-vegetarian dog food at one’s door steps, if the owners are vegetarians.

He said, earlier outsiders – who used to drive on the road, especially from Kodagu district – were his customers, but now even Mysoreans approach him for puppies.

Francis sells 10 to 15 puppies on an average every month and makes a decent living. He also has some farm land and is also a farmer. He enjoys both professions.