More city dwellers enamored with unique, exotic animal themed cafes (5)

Zhao Songxue, owner of a Shiba Inu themed cafe Dahuang's Home in Beijing's Chaoyang district, tells customers how to get along with dogs. [Photo by Zou Hong/China Daily]

"I know there are many people who love Shiba Inus, and there are many people who love dogs but can't keep one at home, so this place gives them an opportunity to interact with dogs," Zhao said.

Zhao said it is more important that she educates her customers about pets, as some customers inexperienced with dogs would hold the dogs in some positions which they might feel discomfort.

She also wanted to use the Shiba Inu themed cafe as a platform to create a bigger brand that shares more information about animals with the public.

"This knowledge is really essential to China's society in the future. The pet market is booming, young adults are becoming more affluent and they will have a greater need to have pets to accompany them," Zhao said, adding that the information will not be limited to Shiba Inu or dogs, but will also cover all kinds of animals including birds and snakes.