HONG KONG: Owning a pet dog in Hong Kong has become more popular than ever.

But while many dog lovers prefer more famous breeds, the common mongrel, known as "Chinese Dog" in Cantonese, gets left out in the cold.

To many Hongkongers, mongrels are a dirty, ferocious and ugly animal, with no discipline.

Not considered an ideal family pet, it's no surprise many mongrels end up strays.

Rebecca Ngan, from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong), said nearly 80 percent of the abandoned dogs rescued by the society were mongrels.

She said the famous Western breeds, such as thick-coat Samoyed, were usually adopted by new families within weeks, but it could take more than a year for a mongrel to be taken.

"Hong Kong people regard Western breeds as more precious, and to them, taking a mongrel out to the street for a walk isn't a good image," she said.

Ngan and some other 100 dog-owners have formed the Hong Kong Mongrel Club to change people's perception about the mixed breed dog.

The club has organized workshops encouraging adoption of the local breed and is teaching owners how such dogs could be trained for community work.

About six mongrels had already joined the Dr Dog program, where they have been trained to work with sick patients.

Despite many negative perceptions, Ngan said mongrels were an ideal pet for the Hong Kong environment more so than other Western breeds such as the Samoyed and Husky, which often cost upwards of HK$10,000 ($1,280).

With their thick coats, these breeds struggle in Hong Kong's hot and humid weather.

"For mongrels, however, they have already got used to the city's hot and humid condition. And they will not feel sick like the Western breeds," she said.

"Mongrels would be more widely accepted by the community members who keep pets."

While not as good looking as some other breeds, the common mongrel could become a loyal family pet if trained properly.

Jacky Ching, a dog-trainer for more than 20 years, has even proudly trained a show-winning mongrel.

He spent the first two months training the mongrel to obey his orders, and later it was trained to do more difficult tricks. Last month, the dog won the elementary and intermediate levels in an obstacle course competition.

"Many people think mongrels lack the right behavior and are prone to easily attack men," he said. "In fact, they aren't like that at all, and they can make significant achievements if they are properly cared for.

"Some of these dogs are abandoned on the streets and sometimes they are attacked by men, who kick them for no reason."

Ching said the first few months in obedience training were crucial.

"If the owner lets the dog do whatever it wants during these months, then it will be more difficult to get the dog follow instructions," he said.

(China Daily 03/02/2007 page5)