I am WAY behind in oh, so many things and will strive to catch up, but figured better to jump in with controversy than be left totally behind.
Westminster dropped Pedigree and signed up Purina for their TV coverage ads. Why? They have been quite open about their reasons - Pedigree insisted on concentrating on mixed breeds and stressing shelter adoptions. Westminster's entire reason for existing is to promote wellbred purebred dogs - from reputable breeders and with excellent breed standard representation. When you see a Chihuahua on Westminster, you KNOW it is a Chihuahua.
Westminster does not hate mixed breeds or hate shelter adoptions. Simply, their "product" if you will, is purebred dogs. So why have advertising that represents someone else's ideal? Would you expect Ford to run ads featuring Toyotas?
Westminster has done a great deal to promote dogs, all dogs. The "Angel on a Leash" therapy dog group that David Frei works with encourages any and all dogs. Many of the fund raisers support causes that will help all dogs. Education is worked into the broadcasts and mixed breed owners would benefit from learning about the "dogs behind their dog".
Many shelters have discovered themselves that showing photos of dirty, crowded, starving dogs does not help adoptions. When people see clean, obviously happy dogs, they think what a great addition a dog would be for their family.
Yes, there are those who are attracted to the idea of rescuing an injured or abused dog, but motives are sometimes suspect in those cases. Shelters have to carefully screen adopters who are only interested in the dog who made headlines for his sad situation. While some are truly good hearted people, some simply want to be able to say that they "rescued" the dog in the paper. Fifteen minutes or less of fame and a dog who isn't truly loved or wanted.
Before I am jumped on with both feet, note that *I* have worked at a shelter, have adopted a dog from a shelter, have helped with rescues and yes, heaven forbid, I choose for the most part to own purebred dogs - from reputable breeders.
