Mating season for dogs is always noisy and messy in the village. This is because bitches on heat often attract a pack of dogs.
However for shrewd dog owners, breeding is not left to chance. The dog owners look for a compatible partner for their bitches to mate and bring forth a similar breed. This is often done through close friends or a stud-service at a fee.
This is what Mombasa-based Yahya Awadh understands and does best; offering dog mating services.
His love for dogs started as a dog-sitter for people travelling abroad. He would also find suitable homes for new pets. With time, he ventured into stud service and selling of puppies.
“Initially, I used to just deal with Dobermans, but with time, I added other breeds, including the South African Mastiff, Boerboels, German Shepherds and Zulu, among others,” he explained.
A client looking for services at Yahya’s Kennel will part with Sh30,000 or more, depending on the breed they want. But if he trusts you, Awadh can save the situation for your pet on heat.
“Sometimes if we agree and I trust you enough, I will just offer the service and come for the puppies since I also sell puppies. In a month, I get around three clients for stud services,” he disclosed.
Boerboel puppies go for Sh60,000, German Shepherds for Sh35,000 and Rottweilers for Sh45,000. Awadh explains that it is easy to know when a bitch is on heat.
He says the dogs undergo menstruation and leave behind traces of blood in the kennels. With time, the vulva expands, which signifies mating time.
Awadh currently offers stud services in Diani, Mombasa and Nairobi. He also runs dog shows to spread the word on retaining good quality breeds.
“The next dog show will be on August 25th at Water Sports in Tudor to spread the word on the need for quality breeding,” he adds.