In recent years, professional systems that take care of breeding, veterinary services, and the buying and selling of pets have emerged in the province.
Tran Tan Dat, a resident in Chau Thanh District’s Huu Dinh Commune, for example, invested in a pet-raising business after retirement.
Initially, he had a couple of poodles but now has 20 poodles of different sizes, including teacup, toy, miniature and standard.
He said that demand for poodles was high since the breed was friendly and easy to train.
Nguyen Thanh Dong, a farmer in Ben Tre City’s Son Dong Commune, has raised a variety of breeds, including pugs, border collies, rottweilers, and Phu Quoc and berger dogs.
Raising multiple breeds has allowed him to earn a profit from the most difficult buyers.
Dong added that raising foreign dog breeds required more attention and resources compared to pure Vietnamese breeds.
They need to be bathed regularly and given vaccinations to prevent disease, he said, emphasising that food sources must also be chosen carefully.
If dogs are taken care of well, they can give birth three times per year, with four to six puppies each time.
Besides the economic value, raising pets can bring joy and social connections, especially to retired workers like Dat.
Last year, the Ben Tre Province’s Pet Association launched a dog-raising group with the aim of bringing together breeders and providing a platform to exchange ideas on the industry.
The group has hosted several seminars and invited dog food companies to share their experience in raising quality pets.
Le Van Huyen, director of the group, said that a thriving dog-breeding business required passion as well as thorough understanding.
The group now has 40 official and about 60 unofficial members.
Ben Tre, Tien Giang, HCM City and China are the most common destinations where locals sell their dogs, Huyen said.
Nguyen Quoc Phuong, a resident who does not breed dogs, said that pet-raising was also an educational activity that helps children learn to love animals.
