Beverly Hills Chihuahua, anyone? With celebrities like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Nicole Richie toting around toy and miniature breed dogs, it is no wonder that those cute little faces have become so popular. However, their adorable features and trendy, accessory-esque personas somehow are enough to fetch astronomical prices. It's as if animals have become status symbols, signifying the amount of luxury one can afford. Chihuahuas in general can range anywhere from $750 and up, depending on various characteristics of the dog and of the breeding facility.
Small dogs of pedigree are not the only ones that require a month's paycheck to pay for them. The AKC recognizes over 100 breeds of dogs that qualify as "recognized breeds", and a battery of miscellaneous breeds and purebreeds that are not yet registered. These dogs are able to enter shows and competitions, as long as they fulfill specific requirements that are unique to each individual breed.
Hybrid dogs have found an immense following, especially during the summer of 2008. Glorified mutts like the precious puggle have been featured in newspapers ranging from The Post, The Daily News, and The Journal News, among others. Cockapoos (cockerspaniel-poodles), chuggers (chihuahua-pugs), rat-a-paps (rat terriers-papillions) and jack-a-bees (jack russell terrier-beagles) are four examples of the endless selection. Cute as a button, yes, but these dogs, often considered to be "designer dogs" are little more than a form of bioengineering in that two breeds are crossed in hopes of a specific outcome.
Dogs that are often referred to as mutts have questionable bloodlines and do not qualify for competitions. However, these are considered by many to make the best pets because of their even temperaments and increased intelligence. They are less likely to have genetic defects due to inbreeding and are more likely to live longer, healthier lives.
While certain kinds of dogs are well sought after and usually come with a high price, millions of dogs suffer in tight cages, waiting for a loving family to take them home. They range in age, size, sex, color, breed, temperament, and characteristics, but generally share one thing in common - they make great pets. Also, a majority of rescue leagues and pounds offer full vaccinations and require a minimal fee to cover medical costs. Oftentimes perfectly acceptable dogs are displaced for unverified reasons and face the risk of becoming euthanized to make room for more animals that have a higher probability of being adopted. The increased obsession for purebred and hybrid dogs increases the number of dogs in the pound and makes one wonder why.
For readers who are interested in owning a purebred dog but would also like to help a worthy cause, various pet rescue agencies exist.
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