A hot dog breeds new fear

Something awful is happening to Tibetan mastiffs in China.

They've become the latest must-have accessory of the very rich, who are willing to pay absurd prices for these dogs solely because they are status symbols. Expos featuring Tibetan mastiffs, like the one on March 19 in Changping, are helping feed the frenzy.

Terrible things happen to dog breeds that experience this type of popularity. High prices lure inexperienced or unscrupulous breeders to churn out litters as quickly as possible. Some don't care if dogs are carelessly matched or even bred with their own offspring.