I’m glad I ran across a column earlier today, headlined – “Beware: Westminster Dog Show Picks Will Also Become Puppy-Mill Favorites” – on the Opposing Views website. Phyllis M Daugherty notes Westminster Dog Show this week comes on the heels of the release of the most popular dog breeds by the AKC. And it’s all [...]
An Associated Press story about the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show offered some interesting information about one of the two new “breeds” introduced this year – the Treeing Walker Hound. The article notes this hound was “developed from” the Walker Foxhound Virginia Hounds and English Foxhounds. So what does this make the Treeing Walker Hound? [...]
A federal judge blocked on Thursday efforts by dog-breeding organizations to overturn a new anti-puppy mill law in Texas. The Licensed Breeders Act includes requirements both dog and cat breeders must follow, notably those who house 11 or more females and sell 20 or more puppies or kittens each year. These breeders must be licensed by [...]
The AKC has announced its annual list of the most popular dog breeds in the US. Of course in this case, its nothing more than an advertising gimmick to promote the sale of pure-bred dogs. I beg to differ on which ‘breed’ is actually at the top of the list. The mutt is the all-time [...]
A new study that I hope will be groundbreaking will feature 3,000 golden retrievers, who will be tracked for genetic, nutritional and environmental risks to cancer. The Associated Press reports much of $25 million needed for the research is coming from the Morris Animal Foundation. The AP article includes this interesting note: “” The study [...]
The Humane Society of the United States is rightfully criticizing the American Kennel Club for fighting against regulations on puppy mills. The HSUS press release includes a statement noting the AKC panders “to the interests of large-scale, commercial breeding facilities rather than serving smaller-scale, high-quality breeders who make up the majority of AKC.” And this [...]
A column written by Dr. Patty Khuly was published June 20 on the Huffington Post website. In her editorial piece, Khuly explains how people frequently bring purebred dogs to her veterinary office with medical problems. She says – “I’m willing to go on record and say that I generally observe at least one genetic disease [...]
An article that came across the Pack New Wire this morning highlights the no-kill shelter movement and in this case the hurdles the system in one municipality is facing to reach this status. Let’s start by reaffirming my thoughts on the No-Kill Movement. I’ve scanned over the book Redemption: The Myth of Pet Overpopulation and [...]
West Virginia state senator wants all breeders to be regulated: Senate Bill 406 in West Virginia would regulate dog breeding in the state, but current language in the bill exempts hunting, tracking, show dog and greyhound breeders. Thankfully, Sen. Karen Facemyer of Jackson County is pushing to cut these exemptions out of the legislation, so [...]
The recent rescue of 160 dogs from an alleged puppy mill in Stokes County, NC has prompted more calls for improved legislation in the state. The Times-News notes North Carolina requires a license for breeders who sell to stores and research facilities. “” But about 90 percent or more of the state’s breeders sell directly [...]
