BEIJING: A French bulldog has become an internet sensation in southern China after earning over 10,000 yuan (US$1,400) in five years by diligently collecting plastic bottles for its owner.
It has captivated countless netizens with its remarkable “work ethic,” earning the affectionate nickname “the most punctual bottle collector” from local businesses.
The five-year-old dog, known online as “Dog Little White,” has amassed over 80,000 followers on Douyin and has developed a daily routine of collecting plastic bottles on the streets of Guangzhou, Guangdong province.
Every day, the canine embarks on three bottle-collecting missions – once in the morning, at noon, and again in the evening – each lasting 20 to 30 minutes. It intuitively returns to rest on its own when it gets tired.
Its owner, surnamed Zhang, accompanies the dog, carrying a sack to collect the bottles.
While specific training methods remain undisclosed, the routine is characterised by a collaborative partnership between Zhang and his canine companion.
Initially, the dog’s daily collection brought in around 20 yuan (US$2.8). However, its commitment soon translated into substantial income, accumulating over 10,000 yuan in five years.
As Zhang began documenting the French bulldog’s life and sharing videos on social media, the dog steadily ascended to viral fame, becoming a local celebrity.
In one viral video, the dog was seen collecting 5kg of plastic bottles in just 25 minutes, netting its owner 15 yuan. The clip garnered over 143,000 likes.
Impressed by its reliability and new-found fame, nearby shop owners now routinely place bottles at their entrances for the dog to collect, recognising it as the “most punctual bottle collector.”
“Before it became famous, it would earn about a dozen yuan a day from the bottles collected. But now that it’s gone viral, every nearby shop saves bottles for it. It can earn over 50 yuan a day just collecting bottles. The income is quite impressive – both from social media videos and bottle collection,” the owner shared with CQ News.
This community support has boosted its monthly bottle sales income to over 1,000 yuan, bringing total monthly earnings – including revenue from online videos – to 3,000 to 4,000 yuan (US$420 to US$560).
Zhang expressed his plans for these earnings, stating that he intends to donate the dog’s online income to help stray animals.
The French bulldog has quickly gone viral across Chinese social media, sparking widespread discussion and delight.
One person commented: “If I raise more than 100 such dogs, I can get rich and lie flat.”
Another joked: “Does it take apprentices? Please send it over to teach my cat!”
A third added: “It earns its own dog food, and not a single bite comes for free!” - South China Morning Post
