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Beagle Brigade Is No Fan of Westminster

Written by PETA

Posted 02-15-2011

People passing by USA Network's Rockefeller Plaza headquarters yesterday were greeted by a pack of "dogs" howling against the network's decision to air the Westminster Dog Show. PETA's beagle brigade made sure that everyone heard the ugly truth about doggie beauty pageants and the dog-breeding industry: They kill shelter dogs' chances. That's because when people rush out to buy a puppy like the purebred they saw prancing around on TV, a lovable pup in an animal shelter loses a chance at a good home.

The message is getting through: PETA's "dogs" got plenty of thumbs-ups and "go get 'em's" from passersby, and one woman even cheered, "Yay, PETA! Keep doing what you're doing—great job!"

This year, Westminster added six new breeds to the dog show, while an estimated 4 million animals are still being killed in shelters each year. We can help spread this lifesaving message by reminding our friends and family members that people who really love dogs save lives by adopting their canine companions from animal shelters.

Written by Lindsay Pollard-Post

Tags:

dog, companion animal, Westminster Dog Show, USA Network

Recent Comments

Mara commented:

Jan 11, 2013 1:26 AM

This is attacking the wrong source. Yes, breeders are a major problem with shelter dogs, but these dog breeders are not the ones you want to attack. The people who make it to Westminster are part of the 1% of the small percent of breeders that work their entire lives improving the breed. The dog show world tends to be fanatics about ALL dogs lives. Their dogs ten to have better lives than most people and the dogs love the show. Now, the problems are the breeders who do not focus on standards, health or performance, one of those fake show people, or the people who just breed to breed. THAT is what you should focus on. And the general education of people to keep animals long term.
VinDC commented:

May 20, 2011 5:28 PM

I agree with joe_thomas. I love watching the Westminster, and I have two adopted cats. There's already a Beagle Brigade. Since you mention shelters, don't forget to mention the numerous dogs that serve our Nation. The DHS Beagle Brigade has beagles that retire from service.
PETA commented:

Feb 28, 2011 9:15 AM

Jade, eradicating companion animal homelessness entirely may seem a tall order, but we encourage all potential guardians to consider that the breeding industry pumps an endless flood of animals directly into an already oversaturated market. Every dog and cat deliberately bred and sold takes a home away from one of the many millions of animals – both purebred and mixed – still waiting in vain for a loving home. Regardless of how well the animals are treated or how “reputable” the breeders may be, they continue to fuel an industry that drastically exacerbates the overpopulation crisis, with devastating consequences for many animals.
Jade commented:

Feb 24, 2011 10:13 PM

Let's see if PETA will publish this this time around. PETA needs to get at the heart of the problem and that is educatingg people about the long term dedication of having a pet, and preventing unwanted litters. Even if every animal was adopted from shelters, there would still be animals in shelters as some of them would be returned (I volunteered at a humane society and I saw it happen) so it is NOT a breeders problem (yes there are irresponsible breeders but that falls under educating people)but education and dedication. And no I do not support these dogs showws as they have become more of a popularity contest/beauty pagent.
PETA commented:

Feb 21, 2011 4:39 PM

Michelle- Twenty-five percent of dogs in shelters are pure bred, many of them initially purchased by well-meaning guardians who then discard them when the reality of late night walks and incessant barking sets in. Every year, 6-8 million animals of all types pour into animal shelters, and 3-4 million of them never find homes. In light of these appalling statistics, it’s impossible for us to consider any breeding of dogs and cats “responsible.” Many breeders begin with good intentions, but all of them contribute to the overpopulation crisis by producing still more animals while millions already languish in shelters.
joe_thomas commented:

Feb 17, 2011 3:12 PM

The owners of animals who participate in shows like Westminster are among the most caring and responsible pet owners that exist. Celebrating the beauty of each breed has nothing to do with animals in shelters. Plenty of animal lovers appreciate the Westminster show. BTW, is it necessary to be arrogant and rude to people that may have the "audacity" to disagree with you?
Shari commented:

Feb 16, 2011 10:06 PM

Mean while, thousands of dogs have just been killed all over The USA as we are reading this blog. God help the animals, and All breeders should be put on halt until all animals have homes and the killing of homeless animals are stopped. And I love those cute "beagle brigade" they get a two paw salute from me!
Michelle commented:

Feb 16, 2011 9:37 PM

As a breeder I will tell you the real reason people choose pure breds over mutts in a shelter. 1. Health Reasons they have to get a current breed because health issues, and 2. The buyer knows what they getting on temperment, size, and life style the pure bred will fit in. This what mutts can'ts give and you don't know the temperment and the mutts will add to people's medical. There are very good breeders out there, don't compaire them to bad breeders or breeders that breed designer mutts. You also saying people should pick a mutt over a pure bred,.. is also saying it's OK get mutts from breeders that do breed mutts like Labadooles, Bugs, Puggles and Etc mutts that are called Disigner breeds aka just a MUTT WITH A FANCY NAME AKA DISIGNER MUTTS FROM DISIGNER MUTT BREEDERS! You are in a way promoting these Mutt Breeders,.. by saying don't buy from pure breds and Mutts Rule and get a Mutt! This also a way saying don't buy pure breds, but it's OK to buy a Mutt from a mutt breeder! Also, You not really adopt a dog from a shelter because a Shelter is a business that makes money from adoptions and by Fedal Business ORG. Adoptions are listed as a SALE! So a shelter dog is indeed is SOLD AND BOUGHT ITEM! So shelter dogs and breeder's puppies are no more diffrent,.. because they are SOLD AND BOUGHT ITEMS!!!!
Rex's Mom commented:

Feb 16, 2011 3:06 PM

Did any of you actually watch the Westminster dog show? I did watch and I was happy to see the Scottish Deer Hound win. Finally a big dog won and not one of those little ones. They were all beautiful dogs but I am tired of little ones always winning. Anyway, if you did watch, you would have seen that one of the sponsers was Pedigree dog food and ALL of the Pedigree commercials during this dog show were about ADOPTING a shelter dog. Pedigree also contributes money to help shelters all over. I happen to love mutts more than pure breeds and my German shepherd/Huskie mix is 90 pounds and will be 12 years old in May. That is pretty good for a large dog. So before you criticize the dog show, just remember that all of the Pedigree commercials during this dog show advocated adoption!
Jesse commented:

Feb 16, 2011 5:05 AM

Laura, you are absolutely right. REGULATED. Not eliminated. Savannah, breeders do not hurt shelter dog's chances. People have the right to pick whatever dog they think is right for their family, purebred or not. Amy, think of the consequences of the elimination of breeders. When all of your spayed and neutered shelter dogs die of old age and PETA has stupidly eliminated all breeders, dogs are GONE. Spayed and neutered mutts can't reproduce. Breeders are an essential component to the existence of dogs as a species. The real bad guys in this whole breeder vs shelter issue are those who don't keep their dog from accidentally breeding with the neighbor's dog along with those who are too ignorant to successfully keep and train a dog and decide that the easy way out is to dump their dog into a shelter.

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