Dogs’ species from Russia are currently forming a new animal rearing industry in the Northern Zone regions of Tanzania as well as in Kenya.
Arusha, which has more livestock than the rest of Tanzania, seems to be now also branching into a new sector of animal husbandry, this time dog rearing, with seeds for the breeding industry being imported all the way from Moscow.
The Caucasian Shepherd from Russia happens to be the most popular and widely distributed breed for the dog keeping farms in the Northern Zone of Tanzania and parts of Kenya.
Other exotic high-class breeds commanding the market in Arusha include, Husky also from Russia but can also be acquired from Poland, Boerbel from South Africa, German Shepherd, from Poland and Serbia, Dorberman from mostly Europe, Saint Bernard from Romania and Maltese from Malta.
“Dog Keeping is just gaining roots here, because most people are still not very interested or conversant with the sector but are slowly catching on,” said Nondo Oscar, the Executive Director of Arusha Boerboel Dog Farm and Lodge.
Speaking at the Northern Zone’s Agriculture Show in the Nane-Nane grounds of Arusha, Oscar revealed that, so far there is a strong network of dog farms operating in Arusha, Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya as they work in cooperation to ensure quality production.
Oscar admits that dog farming can be expensive, because importing the breeds may set one back between 15 and 30 million/- per dog and their food consumption costs can be staggering, however the turnaround is usually fast and more profitable.
“It takes passion to rear dogs, you must first love them, it should be treated more over a hobby than business despite being profitable,” explained Oscar.
But who buys dogs? With security concerns arising almost everywhere in major cities, home owners have been flocking to buy the breeds being more reliable than human security personnel.
The Police and Security Firms have also been purchasing guard dogs for their surveillance and patrolling activities.
Others train dogs to be assistants such as servants, escorts and even delivery personnel.
But according to dog farm operators, women and children also buy some breeds as pets and companions.