Dog breeding: The four-legged friend that goes with the sofa

Again and again the man had inhaled and exhaled, had stuck his nose deep into the dogs' fur, had felt whether his body was reacting to the presence of the animals.

All this to ensure that, as an allergy sufferer, he is guaranteed not to react to the planned new family member with sneezing and asthma.

After the visit, he drove home with his family for final counseling.

Later they took the puppy home with them.

Anyone who breeds dogs that are said to be particularly suitable for people with animal hair allergies can probably report similar experiences.

Or from those customers who wished for a four-legged companion, especially during the Corona pandemic.

Only to find out after the purchase that such an animal, especially a puppy, can be quite challenging.

Challenging dog ownership

Michael Glebocki and Dorothée Arden breed a rare breed, the so-called Löwchen.

At the peak of the pandemic, they were overwhelmed with inquiries.

Even if “a little lion” is not exactly cheap.

"A puppy costs between 1,800 and 2,000 euros," says the breeder.

As a rule, they refer interested parties to the waiting list first.

The two say that this helps to filter out those who have really dealt with the breed, its needs and challenges.

If in doubt, customers would have to wait a year or longer for a new companion.

However, not all breeders act that way, as veterinarian Jan-Peter Bach from the Association for German Dogs (VDH) knows.

The increased demand since the beginning of the pandemic has hardly been able to be met by reputable providers.

As a result, for example, sales from the illegal dog trade and from profit-oriented "dog breeders" have increased noticeably, as Bach says.

In addition, there is this relatively new trend of allergy-friendly dogs.

So even those who have previously given up because of possible allergic reactions hope to finally be able to get a four-legged friend.

A development that Bach sees quite critically.

"There is hardly any scientific evidence for the frequently claimed hypoallergenic properties of many crossbreeds and designer dog breeds," says the veterinarian.

This can lead to unfortunate situations for pet owners and dogs if unrealistic expectations of the hypoallergenic properties of dogs are not met and animals have to be returned.

take time and think

Ardén and Glebocki find it all the more important to take the time for such an important decision.

After all, they don't want just anyone for their friendly, people-oriented, and easy-going dogs.

They want people who really fit.

It quickly became clear that the couple, whom she recently visited on their farm in the Nidda district of Wallernhausen, did not fit.

"Hm, we've already bought a bicycle basket," said the customers when they saw the Löwchen live for the first time.

"But they're much bigger, they don't even fit in there," they stated and decided not to buy them.

For others it is all the more appropriate.

There are also customers who come from Luxembourg specifically to receive their Löwchen.

And that also happens: Since the animals still change their coat color up to the age of three, it is difficult to say which final color the animals will have.

In some cases there have already been disappointed visitors who "would have liked a slightly lighter color", as they say.

In these cases, however, since they breed animals and not accessories, the breeders answer: "Do you want the dog to match you or your sofa?"

In the meantime, the couple already knows after the first telephone call whether the interested party and the animal harmonize or not.

When in doubt, the dogs do this work for them, "because they show you exactly when they are not interested in a person," says Ardén.

But if it fits, then great love is programmed.

They don't care if the new owner has a huge garden.

Because the animals were bred more as "lap dogs and hot water bottles" anyway, says Glebocki and laughs.

Wait for the impact of the energy crisis

Ardén and Glebocki, who together also run the cabaret "Fresche Keller" in the Wallernhausen district, are definitely happy to have the "corona madness" behind them for the time being.

In the grueling early days of the pandemic, many would have considered that if they had a four-legged companion in the house, they would no longer be so alone.

"I'm currently working from home," she would have heard again and again, says Ardén.

When asked what would happen if the home office option was canceled again, many did not have an answer.

As a rule, such callers did not answer any more after critical questions.

"They just look for another breeder," Ardén suspects.

But after Corona is before the energy crisis, as the veterinarian Bach knows.

According to a survey, breeders in the VDH are currently expecting a drop in demand for puppies as a result of economic developments.

It remains to be seen whether this will also result in dogs that have already been bought being brought back or being deported to the animal shelter.