Philly Dawg

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.

2 comments

Pekes and more purebreds populate Petfinder.com

POSTED: Thursday, February 16, 2012, 2:22 PM

Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer

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.

2 comments

Previous Story: PA Pekingese wins top honors at Westminster dog show

Next Story: Cosby named to run new Philly Animal Care and Control Team

Comments (2)

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

Tornado claims 4-legged victims, but hope remains
Three dogs rescued from Ohio house of horrors
Rep. Meehan calls for bill passage to end horse slaughter
Convicted animal abuser arrested again in dog fighting bust
Aramark wins top prize for commitment to animal welfare
Harrisburg's baby falcons ready for their big debut
Harrisburg council approves first city anti-tethering law
Philadelphia ranks fifth in nation for dog attacks on mail carriers
New Leash on Life offers hope for inmates and troubled dogs
Penn dogs training to sniff out ovarian cancer

About this blog

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. Reach Amy at aworden@phillynews.com.