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Thursday, February 16, 2012

Pekes and more purebreds populate Petfinder.com

 

While Malachy the champion Pekingese was dining on chicken at the posh Sardis Restaurant in midtown Manhattan yesterday, 800 other Pekes and Peke-mixes were sitting in shelters or foster homes waiting for adoptive families. 

The Westminster Dog Show this week - in which Malachy, of East Berlin, PA took top honors - highlighted the pampered purebred pups who are the best of their breeds. 

But not all purebreds are so lucky.

The folks at Petfinder.com want to remind people looking for a new companion that purebreds make up 25 percent of the dogs in shelters. Thousands more mixed breeds are in need of homes, including the so-called "designer" breeds whose popularity has encouraged random breeding and questionable registries that fuel  backyard breeders and puppy mills.

Malachy beat out six dog group champions to take the title.

A quick check on Petfinder shows there are many more like them too in southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey: Dalmatians (56 within 100 miles of Philadelphia), German shepherds (375), Doberman pinschers (53) , Irish setters (4), Kerry blue terriers (1) and wire-haired dachshunds (175).

“Petfinder.com has just about any pet you can imagine; whether you want a four-legged friend who will snuggle up on the couch with you or a running partner,” said Betsy Banks Saul, co-founder of Petfinder.com.

 
Posted by Amy Worden @ 2:22 PM  Permalink | 2 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:48 PM, 02/16/2012
    And remember to check your local shelter, breed specific rescues, such as Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue, and Main Line Animal Rescue. Plenty of purebreds to go around...
    — greatdogz
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:46 PM, 02/16/2012
    Got my "pure-bred" long haired Doxie from BCSPCA!
    — Bucks County Mike


2 comments
About Amy Worden
Amy Worden is a politics and government reporter for the Inquirer. In that capacity she has explored a range of animal issues from dog kennel law improvements and horse slaughter to the comeback of peregrine falcons and pigeon hunts. From hamsters to horses, animals have always been part of her life. To pass along a tip or contact Amy, click here.
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