It is a dog’s life for the Chinese official dog!

<p>
<strong>Ruthless competition is the name of the game, even for dogs! In China, those four-legged furry creatures who want the coveted job of working for the police, need to have not just the physical ability to do but must also be brave, failing which they are auctioned as pets.</strong></p>
<p>
An interesting report in the South China Morning Post states that in China a police academy <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3139434/police-academy-china-plans-auction-coward-dogs-who-failed">is planning to auction off police dogs who failed to qualify</a>. The reasons cited are “cowardice” and “weak retrieving abilities”.</p>
<p>
In fact the Criminal Investigation Police University of China has issued an official notice stating that there will be a public auction of 54 dogs on July 7.</p>
<p>
Among those who go under hammer are mostly German shepherds and Belgian Malinois. These two breeds are generally used by the cops because they are agile, intelligent and most importantly listen and follow instructions.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/culture-news/animal-activists-rescue-dogs-heading-for-china-s-dog-meat-festival-96981.html">Animal activists rescue 68 dogs heading for China's dog meat festival</a></strong></p>
<p>
In the case of most of the dogs who failed to qualify, the reason cited is “cowardice” while in some cases physical aspects played a crucial role. Some did not have enough strength, while others were small or had weak limbs.</p>
<p>
Obedience also played a vital role in the selection as those who had “weak pickup and retrieving abilities” too are included in the list of 54.</p>
<p>
The auction process will commence with screening of videos of each dog up for grabs. Once the public has seen what is there the bidding will commence.</p>
<p>
Bidding starts at 200 yuan that is US$ 30.9, with the highest bidder getting to collect the dog the same day.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/world-watches-silently-as-china-goes-ahead-with-dog-meat-festival-3575.html">World watches silently as China goes ahead with dog-meat festival</a></strong></p>
<p>
The notice also clarified as to what people who get the dogs are expected to do. It specified: “People who adopted these dogs will need to obey government laws on dog raising, and show responsibility to the dogs, they cannot sell or give away the dogs and need to care for them until their natural death.”</p>
<p>
Auctioning is nothing new for the Academy as it has done so four times already, selling 158 dogs till date. The Academy told Beijing Youth Daily that “it (auctioning off the dogs) is a very normal process for us”.</p>
<p>
While the auction notice created a buzz among the public, it also generated some lighter aspects.</p>
<p>
One person on Weibo said: “There’s so much pressure and such fierce competition to get a government job, even for dogs.”</p>
<p>
The dogs are bred in licenced centres and are trained from when they reach 45 days old to six months of age, according to the Ministry. The dog pups are trained for several features like speed, sniffing, courage and ability to retrieve. Besides this, they go for further training and have to pass exams in order to become a police dog!</p>
<p>
On assuming the position of the official dog, evaluation continues every year and they are subjected to month-long training.</p>
<p>
Eventually, when the canines grow old and unable to perform, they are either packed off to breeding centres or are passed on to the public to change their role from a protector to a pet!</p>