Made popular by an advertisement, the dog has few takers today
Made popular by an advertisement, the dog has few takers today
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Representative photo of a pug |
Every dog has its day, and it gets over, too.
For the adorable pug of Vodafone who escalated the demand of the breed, shares a similar story. With the market value of pugs dipping dramatically after the telecom company took off air the television commercial featuring the symbolic pug, the city pet shop owners seems to lose their bet on the brand dog.
"The commercial had increased the demand of pugs in the market. But since the advertisement was stopped screening on TV, the demand and the price for the adorable pet has been reduced drastically. Till last year, I could easily sell a pug for Rs 45,000 but I had to literally negotiate to sell the same animal for Rs 15,000 yesterday," said Gohil, pet shop owner in GK-I, who owns four such outlets in Delhi.u00a0u00a0
The 'boy and pug' campaign was among the most loved commercial on television and the growing popularity made the pug a hot favourite among customers. The dogs with short, muzzled face would cost between Rs 25,000 to Rs 75,000 during that time but after the ad went off air, the price has gone down to Rs 12,000-Rs 16,000.
"The black pug, a rare breed, could be easily sold for Rs 45,000 during that time. These days it can be bought
| Pug of war |
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Pugs face unique health challenges. Their unnaturally short faces and upturned noses lead to breathing difficulties and make them susceptible to heatstroke. Their compromised respiratory systems make anesthetizing them a risk. Most of the females can't even give birth without the help of a veterinarian. Their large, shallow-set eyes are extremely vulnerable to injury and infection. Pugs are also prone to serious brain diseases, joint problems and skin and allergy problems. |
for just Rs 20,000. The usual fawn colour pugs that were earlier sold at Rs 35, 000 are now available for Rs 15,000," said Shantanu, owner of Regal Variety Pet Kingdom, Chanakyapuri.
The popularity of the cute pug seems to be dying out soon. Or so, feels the customers.
"One of my friends had earlier bought a pug for Rs 25,000 when the dogs were very popular. But gradually the craze has died down and now the situation is such that my friend has put the dog on sale for just Rs 10,000. He now wants to go for a regular option by buying a Labrador," said Pallavi Rana, a resident of Chanakyapuri.
Despite the advertisement not being aired on television, officials associated with the telecom major said they have not abandoned the brand ambassador. "Advertisements featuring the pugs have been taken off air, but the animal is used in print publicity. Apart from the Zoozoos and Irrfan Khan, the Vodafone pug is still very much a part of our company's campaign strategy."
