They call it puppy love: Lockdown Britain sees surge in demand for dogs

Five-week-old Siberian Huskies play at the home of their breeders, Stephen and Christine Biddlecombe, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

British breeders of puppies have seen a huge surge in demand for dogs during the lockdown and now fear that many families will give them up once they realise the scale of the responsibility ahead.

Millions of Britons have spent almost three months largely confined to their homes to counter the spread of COVID-19, a time when the Kennel Club group has seen a 180% rise on last year in inquiries from people wanting to buy dogs.

Many breeders are worried that some Britons may be wanting to buy a puppy to keep the children entertained without realising the time, money and effort that goes into maintaining a dog over its lifetime.

Siberian Husky breeder Christine Biddlecombe receives a lick from one of her dogs at her home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Fearful that some dogs could be handed in to rescue centres once life returns to normal, breeders are seeking as much information as possible on potential new owners and rejecting those inquiries that do not appear to have been thought through.

"Generally it's 'I want a blue-eyed, black and white Siberian. I want a boy, how much is it and can I collect it tomorrow?'" said Christine Biddlecombe who breeds Siberian Husky dogs with her husband Stephen.

They have gone from having one or two inquiries a week via the Kennel Club to receiving three or four a day, with some even arriving in the early hours of the morning.

Siberian Husky breeder Stephen Biddlecombe sits among some of his dogs at his home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Jenny Campbell, a breeder in Suffolk in eastern England, said most breeders were cautious.

"This is a lifetime decision, not just a Covid decision," she added.

Britain is a nation of dog-lovers, from the Queen and her corgis to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Jack Russell.

Siberian Husky breeders Christine and Stephen Biddlecombe play with some of their dogs at their home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

The Kennel Club's Bill Lambert said some breeders had hiked their prices and he worried that buyers would look abroad where welfare standards can be lower.

(Reporting by Ben Makori and Gerhard Mey; writing by Kate Holton; editing by Stephen Addison)

Siberian Husky breeder, Christine Biddlecombe reaches for one of her five-week-old puppies at her home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Siberian Husky breeder Christine Biddlecombe poses for a photograph with her five-week-old puppies at her home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

A five-week-old Siberian Husky sits next to the feet of breeder Stephen Biddlecombe at his home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Five-week-old Siberian Huskies belonging to Christine and Stephen Biddlecombe play at their home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Siberian Husky breeder Stephen Biddlecombe, plays with some of his dogs at his home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Siberian Husky breeder Christine Biddlecombe receives a lick from one of her dogs at her home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Siberian Husky breeder Christine Biddlecombe plays with some of her dogs at her home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Siberian Huskies belonging to breeders Christine and Stephen Biddlecombe are seen at their home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Siberian Husky breeder Christine Biddlecombe sits with some of her dogs at her home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Siberian Husky breeders, Christine and Stephen Biddlecombe, play with some of their dogs at their home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

A Siberian Husky is seen as breeder Christine Biddlecombe looks on at her home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

A Siberian Husky is seen as breeder Christine Biddlecombe looks on at her home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Siberian Huskies belonging to breeders Christine and Stephen Biddlecombe are seen at their home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

A Siberian Husky belonging to Christine and Stephen Biddlecombe is seen at their home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Siberian Husky breeders, Christine and Stephen Biddlecombe hold five-week-old puppies at their home, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Five-week-old Siberian Huskies play at the home of their breeders, Stephen and Christine Biddlecombe, in Tonbridge, Britain, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls