Schein aims to chase French poodles

NEW YORK (Reuters) - For French poodles, who already enjoy the good life, things could soon get even better.

Henry Schein Inc. (HSIC.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), a distributor of animal health products, acknowledged on Tuesday that it has given short shrift to France, concentrating its focus in Europe instead on Yuppie puppies in Germany and other dog-loving nations on the continent.

"At this point, it's Rottweilers and German shepherd dogs and the poodles are coming later," said Stanley Bergman, chief executive officer of the company, which is better known as a distributor of dental products.

"France is the one market that we're not in," he said at the Reuters Health Summit. "This is not material, although I will tell you we are interested in that market."

He said France, fabled for coifed poodles that are welcome just about anywhere, remains a missing link in the company's strategy of providing pet care products to indulgent baby boomers across Europe.

"It's not so much because it's France per se -- although yes we should be taking care of French poodles ... yes, that's important -- but because we want to have a Pan-European veterinary business."