Tatler's Guide to Protecting Your Assets

With wealth and status can come jealousy and attention, but how far should the ultrarich go to guard against a worrying array of threats? These security providers reveal Hong Kong’s elite will try just about anything, from impossible-to-crack safety deposit boxes to snarling attack dogs

- Lauren James

RELEASE THE HOUNDS! Hong Kong Guard Dogs provides working-dog rentals and training to a variety of clients, including private households and property management companies. Founder Daniel Tang unlatches the kennel on his trade:

What services do you provide?

We provide attack dogs, patrol dogs and explosives sniffer dogs. Patrol dogs are German shepherds trained in barking and basic obedience. Our attack dogs are only used when the client requests them, as there’s a risk they can’t be controlled and can get aggressive. Sometimes we are hired by the cruise ship industry to search cargo for explosives when they dock. The patrol dogs serve some of the wealthiest in Hong Kong, living in places like the Peak. Dogs either stay at the home or are transported there for shifts. During the political demonstrations in 2019, we saw an increase in clients.

How many dogs do you have?

More than 100. We have a licence to breed German shepherds so we know the bloodline of all our dogs. We also have East European shepherds, which are more muscular and have unbelievable endurance. We used to have Belgian malinoises as well, but some clients thought they looked too scary—which was kind of the purpose—and they can also be hyperactive. Our headquarters is in Kwai Chung but our training centre is in Kam Tin. All dogs have their own room, sized up to 100 sq ft—bigger than some of my friends’ homes.

What’s the journey of a dog?