Hi!  We received a great question today and since we have been discussing au pairs from China, I thought it was very apt:

"Edina, we are considering a Chinese au pair for two reasons, one, we adopted from China and two, now that our child is starting to talk, I thought this would be a good time to introduce her to Mandarin.  However, I have two Golden Retrievers and I know the Chinese do not really keep pets and that they are not used to large dogs.  Will this be a major stumbling block for our family?"

Hartman family, Boston, Mass.

Actually, today the Chinese are becoming pet lovers and in a big way!  According to the Asian Times online, in China there is an "unpredented rise in the popularity of dogs as pets."  Traditionally, pets of any kind were frowned upon by the Chinese communist government.  According to the market research firm, Euromonitor International, the percentage of dog owners in China increased from %5 in 1999 to 15% in 2004. 

Chinese are spending lots on their dogs, for food, toys, treats, clothes and especially grooming.  Grooming a dog in China can cost anywhere from 12-35 U.S. dollars (average monthly wage in China is about $120 U.S. dollars) and customers will wait in long lines to have their pets shampooed, blown-dry, manicured and teeth brushed.

After many years of carrying around little dogs in designer tote bags, today the Chinese are buying large dogs and the larger the better!  Chinese are lining up to purchage the Tibetan  Mastiff!  Only the elite class can afford these dogs, and some price tags have been as high as $600,000 U.S.A. dollars!  Large chocalate brown poodles are also very popular. 

Tibetan Mastiff

  So, I think perhaps, depending on where your Chinese au pair hails from, she may do very well indeed with your two large dogs! Don't be shy, tell each prospective au pair that you have large dogs and find out if they like dogs and big dogs. But, it looks like you might find an au pair who relishes the idea of being around big dogs. Good luck!