Wang Yuanyuan

    AS the economy has developed, the number of Chinese who keep pet dogs has increased significantly. The market for dog-related products has thrived as families compete to have the most spoilt dog.

    These products include food, chains, clothes, hair products, shoes and toys.

    One of the city’s biggest pet markets is on Beidou Road, Luohu District, with more than 20 shops on the quiet street near Wenjindu Checkpoint. Nearly all the stores offer grooming services and accessories at competitive prices.

    Similar stores can also be found on Houhai Road in Nanshan District and Dongmen in Luohu District.

    Pet hospitals are also good places to give your dog a treat. The skilled staff at Ruipeng Pet Hospital can give massages, baths or haircuts to dogs.

    However, if you want to make your dog stand out from the crowd, accessories offered at these venues may not be enough and some private pet shops in residential communities may be better places to purchase unusual items.

    Trendy imported pet clothes, shoes and hair accessories can be found at several pet shops in Nanhu Community where many young and fashionable dog owners live.

    Hong Kong is also a good place to shop for your dog. Supermarkets such as City Super in Times Square in Causeway Bay have high-quality pet accessories, but they are a lot more expensive than those sold at private stores.

    Sino Center in Mong Kok is also recommended as there are many small stores selling high-quality Japanese dog clothes. The average price of the clothes is about HK$200 (US$26) and special costumes for Christmas, Halloween and Spring Festival are about HK$300.

    In Shenzhen, the average price of dog clothes is about 50 yuan (US$7.9) at stores, while you can also get cheaper ones at www.taobao.com. A pack of four shoes costs about 40 yuan, but the shoes can hurt dogs’ feet if used too much.

    In Shenzhen, the cost of grooming and a shower depends on the dog’s weight. Normally, the cost for dogs that weigh under 5 kilograms is about 80 yuan and for heavier dogs it is about 210 yuan.

    If you are away for a holiday getaway or a business trip, you can always leave your dogs at a pet hospital. It costs 40 yuan per day for dogs weighing under 5 kilograms and 80 yuan per day for those weighing over 5 kilograms. The dog keeping service includes meals and weekly showers.