01 Mar 2017

A dog is indeed a man’s best friend and that is what inspired the birth of Rawpaw, a dog breeding business.

Armed with a Degree in Software Engineering from Botho University, 28-year-old Mr Kabo Matsietsa decided to deviate and give love and care to dogs.

Registered in 2015, Mr Matsietsa said he got funding for his business to breed canines from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development.

“I have always loved dogs, but I didn’t think the country’s business climate would favour such a venture,” he said.

With the funding, Mr Matsietsa said he bought breeding dogs and built three cages to start off the business.

"I could see my dreams turning into reality, I had invested an incredible amount of time learning about dogs and that was overwhelming as it changed my perception on dog," Mr Matsietsa enthused.

He said he had always known dogs to be loyal and could be counted on to provide security to one’s home and now counts them as a source of income.

Like any other business, the Ramotswa-born said he came across challenges when starting off, but fought to stay afloat.

Mr Matsietsa recalls a time when six of his dogs died, having done everything to properly care for them.

“It was a heart-breaking experience because I have grown fond of my dogs, they are my best friends and whenever I’m not there they guard my home, they bring me peace and it was emotional to lose them like that as I felt I had failed them though I tried everything I could,” he said.

He said dog food does not come cheap and medication costs were high, but those were to be expected in such a business, explaining the breeds he had suffered from different types of diseases and were a sensitive type with high maintenance costs.

Mr Matsietsa said not everyone had an affection for dogs and people kept dogs for different reasons, giving an example of greyhounds which many keep for hunting.

The German shepherd, he said is considered a highly intelligent and loyal breed which tends to be very protective of its family.

Rawpaw breeds Pitbull, German Shepherd, Boerboel and Greyhound.

He advised those who wished to venture into dog breeding to be careful and insist on being furnished with the dog’s genetical and medical history when buying them. ENDS