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No, I believe that WKC & AKC should have
equal if not more ads extolling the
virtues of purebred dogs and … their
activities past & present. Julesno [Julesno@comcast.net]
No, WKC should manage who can buy the ad
spots at WKC. The adoption-commercial
used WKC and pure bred dogs to promote
themselves. Angela C. Kalmanash [ackalmanash@ruffwave.com]
No. The purpose is or should be to
highlight our finest purebreds and the
dedicated breeders behind them. I feel
very sorry for the shelter dogs, and
donate regularly to support them. As
responsible breeders we do everything we
can to reduce the number of dogs that
end up in a shelter. The show should
educate the public on responsible
breeding practices and the benefits of
buying a (purebred) puppy from an
ethical breeder. (Pedigree) can
highlight the poor shelter dogs every
other day of the year. JoAnn Hetherwick
[hetherwick@centurytel.net]
No. The purpose of putting so much
effort into producing pure breeds is to
produce healthy dogs. This should be
emphasized. Judy [bjcarrigan@bellsouth.net]
No. When you spotlight the best of
purebred dogs everything should
spotlight the best of the best. SanDee's
[sbearden@crcom.net]
No. Mutt = No Pedigree. Pedigreed =
Pedigree. No brainer. Windja@aol.com
No … the commercials crossed the line
when this was a time to educate the
public about owning a purebred dog.
Mechelle A. Stall [MECHELLE.A.STALL@saic.com]
No. I have always resented the promotion
that mixed breeds are better choices
than pure breeds. Carole Luke [chatelet@earthlink.net]
No. Westminster is to promote the best
dogs. The commercials should promote our
show dogs and nothing else. Jerri Miller
[millerj@bacavalley.com]
NO. WKC knuckled under to the Animal
Rights (AR) groups and fell right into
step with the AR goal of eliminating
demands for purebred dogs and therefore
diminishing the number of breeders and
in theory total number of puppies that
will be produced. Also, I believe I've
seen Betty White's name on a membership
list for HSUS or PETA… I like Pedigree's
program - but WKC did a HUGE disservice
to those of us participating in a sport
promoting and enjoying our purebred
dogs. I'm disappointed in WKC
authorities. Sonia Yearwood [skybluplotts@yahoo.com]
No. AKC should CROW about the benefits
of owning a purebred dog. That is their
mission statement. BONNIE HALE [BFANCITP@msn.com]
No Westminster is the epitome of dog
shows--dogs produced by breeders who
don't let his/her dogs go to shelters.
Chip and Debbie [chip_debbie@bellsouth.net]
No AKC is supposed to be about promotion
of purebred dogs - how could it forget
that? Nancy Holmes [fmkaffen@ix.netcom.com]
No Adoption of mutts will lead to an end
of purebred dogs. Itıs like the analogy
to MADD & Budweiser commercials you
mentioned. Carole Raschella [carole@raschella.com]
No There will always be mutts but … the
AKC is about registrations and
purebreds. Are they so into $ that they
will pander to these so-called high
priced hybrids that are nothing more
than mutts? Just put two dogs together
and call it a hybrid. It's a very sad
day indeed for breeders. Bonni Bailey
DivineTm@aol.com
No, After all their name is PEDIGREE! So
where is a pedigree for the mutt? I
believe in adopting but not advertising
it in this venue. Peggy Stewart [PEGGYS@pcom.edu]
No. I kept waiting for something from
AKC on the benefits for purchasing a
purebred puppy from a breeder that
respects the breed. Wendy Ball [bichonbabe@mchsi.com]
No. We are "selling out" our opportunity
to showcase p/b dogs. Education solves
the shelter problem not glorifying it.
Katherine X. Barnes [kxwcpa@bellsouth.net]
NO - We are the show of "CHAMPIONS" and
as such should encourage the purchase of
"future champions" not mutts (although
still great dogs). Jaken5995@aol.com
No. It makes it look like AKC and dog
show people by association support
"designer dogs". We don't. Rescue, yes.
Mutts, no. Holly Horton [Holly.Horton@hsc.utah.edu]
No Westminster is about purebred dogs,
Pedigree advertises ad nausimun on TV so
they have the non-purebred scene
covered. Christine Surtees [pomkees@xplornet.com]
No Purebred rescue organizations should
be highlighted. If it wasn't for (us),
there would be no Westminster show. John
S. Fitzpatrick [john@sierrawestmktg.com]
No. It’s like saying to the exhibitors,
congrats on your win but your puppies
are not as good for the public to own as
shelter dogs are. LITTLETOWN [littletown@shaw.ca]
No. This is the place to showcase
purebreds. Why … push randomly bred dogs
down everyone’s throats! We’d better
change our approach or there will be
very little need for purebred dogs. …
the Animal Rightists have told everyone,
“Every purebred puppy purchased means
the death of a shelter dog!” But what if
someone wants a dog with a predictable
look, size, temperament, (and health)?
No matter, you should only get a mutt
who may be … a fear biter, diseased,
etc. Andrea Georgi [ageorgi@astropak.com]
No Westminster is about purebred … not
about putting a guilt trip on anyone
that does not 'rescue'. Jo Stegall [jstegall@nmsh.state.ms.us]
No. Also I resent the ALTERED image of
the WKC logo … that pointer carried a
bird in his mouth - BEFORE Peta got them
to get rid of it? carol zielke [cielcollie@aol.com]
No. To acknowledge shelter dogs is
admirable, but to allow the "rescue a
shelter dog" focus to hijack the show is
simply too much. Mary-Lynn Jensen, Ph.D.
[marylynn@shmoop.com]
No. They should NOT dominate a pure bred
program. I have no problem with one or
two ads but they should not dominate.
Sharon Clark [slbeagles@bellsouth.net]
NO. Reason: Pedigree (is) shooting
themselves in the foot with this
message. As you say many of us will stop
or never use the product and I will bet
more money is spent on food from the
purebred community than the mutt
community. Every dog has its place in
our hearts but …this was bad PR for
Pedigree. Karen Skaggs [OTREK@aol.com]
No. A few donation requests would be ok
but not this huge attempt to guilt
people into adopting a mutt. Lilian
Barber [iggylil@earthlink.net]
No. We were sold out. I find it hard to
watch a lot of the 'family' shows now
because of SPCA and others. Gay Silva
[Gay@athens-ga-rental.com]
No. Pedigree (should) go back to their
old style of advertising that showed
purebred champions that are raised on
their food. Anne Schmidt [anne@pdifinancial.com]
No. Westminster is (about) purebred
dogs. I am sure Pedigree could sponsor
their product on other family type
programs. Margaret Brown [shente@cogeco.ca] |
No - I got mad 2 years ago, wrote
Pedigree about my disappointment with
their new campaign playing toward the AR
agenda and changed my dog food. I had
fed Pedigree for 15 years. Sue McClure [mwrwebmaster@mchsi.com]
No. One of (our) largest viewing
audiences and we do zip/nada/nothing to
promote our own purebred dogs. Lynn
Tweedt-Rabinowe [citrine@citrine.net]
No. This is a way to push unhealthy food
and put down good breeding practices.
Gail Jordon [frogandmoose@verizon.net]
No Westminster KC is a showcase for
purebred dogs. I am not against adopting
… however, IMO, the adoption ads were
overdone. Carol Cooke
[oes.lady@cox.net]
No. It is becoming difficult to sell our
purebred dogs because of the bombardment
to adopt shelter dogs. Linda B. Jarvis [jarvis@aplusmed.biz]
No. Balance is needed in advertising -
even breed rescues would be better than
promoting AR agendas. Judy Herring [falmairscots@gmail.com]
No. The purebred dog community needs to
understand that there is NO ONE BUT
ITSELF to get the story/message out.
Depending on dog food companies and the
AKC has proven to be totally useless.
Tell your own story. Donna Djsdosido@aol.com
No. it gives the impression that
purebred breeders add to the problem of
overpopulation. (Not So!) Sheila [Chesarab@aol.com]
NO. Owning a purebred is frowned upon
because it takes space from a shelter
mutt... but many mutts are imported
because it is more politically correct
to "rescue" than to buy. Claudia Wolff
[seawolff1963@yahoo.com]
No. (It’s) a showcase of purebred dogs,
dedicated breeders. Ok to mention that
there are dogs in shelters to acquire
[not adopt/u adopt children] but the
message should be getting in touch with
purebred breeders. G. Curran
[sunset-zoo@comcast.net]
No. I'd … support boycotting Pedigree
(for) neglecting breeders who strive to
put quality well bred dogs in their
whelping boxes. Joan Krumm [TFTMP@aol.com]
No. It should be a better balance of
commercials. For starters, they should
talk about WHY you should buy from a
RESPONSIBLE breeder. Julie Hill [djhill@ipa.net]
No. I am absolutely for taking in a
shelter dog or cat (but such)
commercials have NO PLACE on televised
dog shows. It is counter productive. It
sends a very confusing message to the
public. Any televised dog show should be
singing the praises of the pure bred
dog, nothing else. The commercials for
Westminster were only slightly better
than having H$U$ commercials. Dianne DMH
PenDragon [Stare-Decisis@msn.com]
No. Rescue dogs are not for everyone. I
will NEVER feed Pedigree after this!
Kimberley Bass [kim@widgetbostons.com]
No I turned off the show in disgust–only
watched part of my group. The
commercials were too many and to
blatantly AGAINST me and my dogs… and I
apparently missed the picture of MY
gorgeous purebred dog doing what he was
bred to do – digging into a hillside
after some vermin!!!!! Carol R Hamilton
[katiedid.dandies@roadrunner.com]
No. Westminster is …is about purebred
dogs. It is ridiculous that Pedigree is
allowed to diminish the purebred. Andra
OConnell [amtekel@gmail.com]
No. If Pedigree wanted to convince
breeders to buy their dog food "Great" -
Then they can use part of the proceeds
for their Foundation. Nancy G. [rddyboy@twlakes.net]
No. Dog shows are all about purebred
dogs. Ads should support and promote
buying a dog from a breeder. First Light
Samoyeds [firstlightsams@roadrunner.com]
No. Because the message is that except
for these few "pampered dogs in the
ring" the rest are suffering. A LIE and
(they) know it. Peggy Gaffney [gaffney@kanineknits.com]
No but I find it ironic that you are
raising a fuss about pedigree (and I
agree ads should not be accepted) yet
your page has an ad for American Dog
Breeders? I looked at that and not sure
how to take it. Dorothy Christiansen
[lynnlea1@comcast.net]
No. With this economy--that is why we
are not breeding --no buyers--what a
slap in the face. Ondo, Diane [DOndo1@vfmac.edu]
NO. This is a venue for the celebration
of PUREBRED DOGS. Savanna Skinner
[Savvy_Designs@comcast.net]
No AKC should be promoting responsible
breeding of purebreds not shelter strays
brought in from other countries, BYB's
and Petstores/puppymills. CharisIGs@aol.com
No. One quick reminder that shelter dogs
need help might be in order but the
audience was there to learn about
purebred dogs. Nancy Anderson [anderdales@earthlink.net]
NO! It is a show for PUREBRED dogs. Save
the adoption/shelter commercials for
another time and channel:)) Bonnie West
Bonniewestie@aol.com
No. It was an AKC sanctioned show.
Pedigree abused their position. Tom
Mahoney [tom@earstorears.com]
No. Give more time to what real
Dog People do for dogs- canine health &
research, rescue, etc. Julesno [Julesno@comcast.net]
No. I believe one ad would be okay but
not the bombardment – there should be
balance in what is presented. Deborah
Williams [dwilliams@swccd.edu]
Yes. There are plenty of people already
looking for the "purebred". Why not give
the mixed breed a little extra help
finding a home? Jo Anne [poodles@dfn.com]
Yes. You need the ads to televise the
show. Better to work with Pedigree so
that the message supports homes for all
dogs. Joyce Miller [jmillerwolfe@gmail.com]
Yes. My dogs are obviously purebreds but
3 of 5 came from a shelter. I got an ILP#
on them-don't show in Breed-papers don't
matter. Grace Truax [TruaxGraceTL@bv.com]
Yes, because ALL dogs deserve a home
with a loving human- not just "show
dogs". I have purebreds that were
RESCUED. Margo Gray [margo@thesylvaherald.com]
Yes. Shelter dogs deserve a loving home
like the purebreds. I have a rescue and
a purebred and both are treated the
same. Barbara McCoy [beautiful-100@brinet.com]
Yes, Since the AKC permits anyone to
breed anything, puppy mill dogs,
backyard breeders, etc. At the expense
of hundreds of thousands of innocent
dogs each year. So many end up in
shelters. (un-disclosed)
Yes, I believe Westminster has the best
of the best but it also breeds dogs when
there are millions killed in shelters
yearly. Lynne Fracassi [goddessflidais@yahoo.com] |
Our Reader's response was overwhelmingly against promoting adoption over purchase and mutts over purebreds. Hundreds were also put off by the bombardment of donation please.