Prize pooches push popularity of dog shows

The number of events has soared in recent years as the country falls under the spell of charming canines. Cheng Si reports from Beijing, with Zhang Xiaomin in Dalian, Liaoning.

As the popularity of beauty pageants declines worldwide, China has fallen in love with a different type of charm contest - dog shows. The craze has seen owners nationwide showing off their pooches, and also produced a value chain for the breeding of pedigree animals.

Wang Zhuang, a 28-year-old from Shenyang in the northeastern province of Liaoning, runs a kennel where he breeds shiba inu - a small dog native to Japan - many of which have taken part in shows in recent years.