'Go Go Dog!' and German Turks' Demand for Pet Dogs

Abstract

Pet dogs are strongly incorporated into social life in Germany, but until recently, they did not enjoy much popularity among German Turks. Although there is no significant change in the general demand for pet dogs in Germany, German Turks have now started acquiring pet dogs. This article focuses on the dynamics behind German Turks' emerging desire and demand for pet dogs in Berlin and argues that their consumption patterns, life styles and tastes, as a transnational collectivity, can only be explained in the context of German society. The commodity aspect of pets is demon strated by the utilitarian relationship German Turks forge with their pets. This has serious setbacks for their aim of symbolic utility in a society where the commodity aspect of pets is highly suppressed.

Keywords

collectivities consumption German-Turks migration pet dogs transnational

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