Posh dogs dumped

kennel worker Amanda Brimelow with Rio the Chinese crested dog and Squiggles the shar pei pup.

Rise in exotic breeds taken in by dogs home

GROWING numbers of exotic breeds are being handed in at Manchester Dogs Home as the recession starts to bite among more affluent families.

Manager Lisa Graham said: “Since the start of the recession we’ve seen a massive increase in the number of dogs whose owners can no longer afford to keep them.

“All types of dogs are being brought in, but we’ve certainly noticed more exotic breeds recently — expensive pedigrees that we haven’t typically seen here in the past.

“We can only assume that the recession is now starting to affect dog-owners who until now were able to afford these expensive dogs and their upkeep.”

While the rarity of the breeds makes them popular with some dog-owners, some of their special needs and upkeep, whether in veterinary fees or grooming costs, mean that they can become very expensive to care for.

Unfortunately, the expense of keeping them becomes an extra burden for the already busy dogs home.

Many rare breeds have unusual characteristics which mean they can be very high maintenance in terms of grooming or skincare, so the dogs home also works in collaboration with breed-specific rescue organisations nationwide to ensure the right adoptive home is found for them.

In the past month alone, three rare Chinese crested dogs have been taken in to the home, two of which were found as strays in the Manchester area.

One of them, Rio, has been diagnosed with a heart valve disease, to which the breed is particularly susceptible.

It will also need extensive dental work.

Seven-month-old shar pei pup Squiggles is another rare breed currently in the home’s care.

Squiggles required surgery around the eyes, where eyelashes were irritating the eyelids, causing a great deal of discomfort.

It also arrived with a contagious intestinal infection, which is being treated, minor skin issues and joint concerns.

Lisa said: “Skin and eye issues are hereditary in this breed.

“Responsible owners are, of course, able to care for shar pei dogs properly, but when exotic breeds like this are brought to the home with these typical health issues, we’re unfortunately left with the financial burden.”

Anyone interested in adopting a dog from the home can call 0844-504 1212.