In New York, an electronic salesman who resigned his GBP5,000-a-year job two years ago is now earning GBP8,000 a year -- as a professional dog walker.

Six days a week, Mr Jim Buck makes four walks a day exercising up to 40 dogs. He covers about 25 miles (40 kms) a day wears out the soles of his shoes every fortnight.

Mr Buck, a 32-year-old father of two, went into the dog-walking business of boredom. With a little advertising and a little salesmanship, his trade has grown tremendously.

His dogs all come from luxury apartment buildings in the fashionable Park Avenue district of Manhattan and represent the most expensive in canine companionship. No mongerels, thank you.

After a walk in the street and the park, he returns his charges back to their owners. Mr. Buck weighs 145 lbs (65 kgs), but often has 600 lbs (272 kgs) of high-class pooch pulling him along.

He has trained the dogs to behave themselves. No flirting, no barking, no fighting and no inspection of street lamp posts. A curt "heel right" or "heel left" or "whoa is all that's needed to stop any dogs threatening to disobey instructions.

Mr Buck, a dog-lover all his life, also trains his clients' dogs and, when they are away, feeds them.