All homeless animals -- mixed or purebred -- deserve loving homes

A Scottish Deerhound like the one above won Best in Show at this year's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

I admit that the televised Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show with its array of purebred canines commands my attention every year. I love watching the various breeds and learning about their temperaments during this historic competitive event.


This year, six new breeds became eligible to compete after being recognized by the American Kennel Club. The Boykin Spaniel, Bluetick Coonhound, Redbone Coonhound, Cane Corso, Leonberger and Icelandic Sheepdog all vied for the  2011winner's cup.  This year's winner was Hickory, a Scottish Deerhound.

Last year, spectators and competitors were surprised during an unexpected protest. Two members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) walked into the center ring at Madison Square Garden and held up signs that said "Mutts Rule" and "Breeders Kill Shelter Dogs' Chances," the latter a slogan popularized by PETA.

As a devout pet owner who had adopted every dog I've ever owned, I can relate on one level with this line of thinking. After all, with millions of homeless dogs in shelters, why not give these unfortunate animals a loving home before paying a breeder for a pet and increasing the "surplus population," so to speak. But on the other hand, as a dog lover, I can't deny the beauty of a purebred canine, either. And unfortunately, like their mixed breed counterparts, many pedigrees end up in need of rescue, too.

Sure the responsible thing is for pet owners to spay/neuter their animals and for breeders to limit the abundance of purebred breeds they offer for sale.

However until that happens, purebred pets also are in need and as deserving of rescue. To that end, the American Kennel Club, offers information and referrals to purebred rescue groups throughout the United States. Visit http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm for more information.