COVID-19: Lockdown Britain sees surge in demand for dogs

Breeders have gone from one or two inquiries a week to receiving three or four a day

Published: June 09, 2020 15:39 Reuters and Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Digital Content Editor

1 of 10

London: British breeders of puppies have seen a huge surge in demand for dogs during the lockdown and now fear that many families will give them up once they realise the scale of the responsibility ahead. Image Credit: Reuters

2 of 10

Millions of Britons have spent almost three months largely confined to their homes to counter the spread of COVID-19, a time when the Kennel Club group has seen a 180% rise on last year in inquiries from people wanting to buy dogs. Image Credit: Reuters

3 of 10

Many breeders are worried that some Britons may be wanting to buy a puppy to keep the children entertained without realising the time, money and effort that goes into maintaining a dog over its lifetime. Image Credit: Reuters

4 of 10

Fearful that some dogs could be handed in to rescue centres once life returns to normal, breeders are seeking as much information as possible on potential new owners and rejecting those inquiries that do not appear to have been thought through. Image Credit: Reuters

5 of 10

"Generally it's 'I want a blue-eyed, black and white Siberian. I want a boy, how much is it and can I collect it tomorrow?'" said Christine Biddlecombe who breeds Siberian Husky dogs with her husband Stephen. Image Credit: Reuters

6 of 10

They have gone from having one or two inquiries a week via the Kennel Club to receiving three or four a day, with some even arriving in the early hours of the morning. Image Credit: Reuters

7 of 10

Jenny Campbell, a breeder in Suffolk in eastern England, said most breeders were cautious. Image Credit: Reuters

8 of 10

"This is a lifetime decision, not just a Covid decision," she added. Image Credit: Reuters

9 of 10

Britain is a nation of dog-lovers, from the Queen and her corgis to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Jack Russell. Image Credit: Reuters

10 of 10

The Kennel Club's Bill Lambert said some breeders had hiked their prices and he worried that buyers would look abroad where welfare standards can be lower. Image Credit: Reuters

Photos News

COVID-19: Lockdown Britain sees surge in demand for dogs

More From Photos

UK’s Starmer rules out austerity as Labour conference opens

Building collapse near Naples kills two young siblings

Macron names a new French government as budget battle looms

Man arrested in Italy over 1977 Australian double murder

GULFNEWS SECTIONS

Trending

COVID-19: Lockdown Britain sees surge in demand for dogs

More From Photos

UK’s Starmer rules out austerity as Labour conference opens

Building collapse near Naples kills two young siblings

Macron names a new French government as budget battle looms

Man arrested in Italy over 1977 Australian double murder

GULFNEWS SECTIONS