The Rise of the New Children of China: DOGS!

Dogs are the new offspring of China | an illustration by Haus Of Paws

China may still be a one-child policy nation, but there is a new segment of the population, that in recent years, are experiencing a new rise in status. In fact, they are becoming increasingly popular among young professionals and are part of a growing industry that experts project will double in the next four years. They are considered as the new offspring of China: DOGS!

The pet industry iin China is predicted to double by 201 | YouTube/AP

“A lot of people are seeing these dogs, especially these more beautiful breeds Huskies and Golden Retrievers and Labradors and wanting them and then of course their friends and family telling them how joyful it is to have a dog” says dog trainer Dennis Schenk, according to Associated Press.

"I believe definitely it's on the forefront and it's going to be changing drastically in the next five or ten years," says Schenk.

A GROWING INDUSTRY

Until recently dogs in China were more likely to end up on the dinner table then playing in the living room. But in recent years, the pet industry in China has blossomed and is predicted to double by 2017, becoming a $2.1 billion dollar business a year. With a pop-up of higher end dog spas and professional dog trainers many dog owners are sparing no expense to pamper their pets. Skepticism still exists about dogs. Dogs taller than 7 inches are forbidden in Beijing's city center. Every year, as many as 75,000 people are bitten by dogs in the Chinese capital.

A vaccination plan for dogs is planned by the Chinese government
by 2020 | YouTube/AP

BIGGEST PROBLEM

Rabies is also still a strong concern. About 2,000 people infected with the disease die in China every year. A pet park manager says that the biggest problem is the lack of basic training that both dogs and their owners receive. He says that more training would go a long way toward improving the status of dogs in China.

By 2020, the government is enacting a plan to vaccinate dogs and eradicate rabies but there are no current plans to ease existing restrictions on urban dogs.

VIDEO: See the rise of the new class in China: dogs