paris hilton w/ chihuahua

Native UK Dog Breeds at Risk – Well, maybe it’s not as dramatic as Noah choosing which species would survive the great flood, but it’s a trend that would certainly make Darwin lift an eyebrow.

According to recent Kennel Club statistics, Britain’s native dog breeds at now at risk in part because demand has shifted to more fashionable breeds showcased by celebrities.

25 dog breeds including the formerly popular English Setter (England’s oldest dog breed) are now considered vulnerable (extinction risk) because of low registration numbers.  Registrations for English Setters have dropped by a third since last year, (only 234 registrations in 2011) while registrations for breeds like the Chihuahua have increased by a quarter.

cardigan welsh corgi puppy

This demand for celebrity dogs can also give breeds whose numbers are dwindling a boost. Consider the fact that registrations for the Cardigan Welsh Corgi (a favorite of the Royal Family) soared by over 130% after the Royal Wedding in 2011, enabling the breed to be taken off the vulnerable list. (let’s hope they are still cared for in a few years)

In a related twist, I couldn’t help but notice another headline in today’s news: Sumatran Elephants close to extinction. Maybe we could get Paris Hilton to walk an elephant down Rodeo drive, causing THEIR numbers to rebound!

More: View BBC video: UK Native Dog Breeds at Risk (2:34)

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Ben Flajnik with his dog & date, Courtney

Ben Flajnik's dog, Scotch

Ben Flajnik, aka “The Bachelor,” was happy to bring his dog on a date in his hometown of Sonoma, California. Apparently his dog, a Jack Russell Terrier named, “Scotch,” (why would a winemaker name his dog, Scotch!?) approved of date Courtney Robertson, but did begin to howl as Flajnik moved in for a kiss. “You’re ruining the moment, Buddy,” he replied to the dog.

When Courtney, a model, mentioned that Scotch was heavier than he looked, Ben replied, “He’s a little over 20 pounds… When he stays at Grandma’s house, he puts on a few lb’s.”

We’re hoping that Flajnik brings his dog on more dates, as no one is a better judge of true character than a dog!

You can watch Scotch accompany Ben on his date below:

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Don't eat the yellow snow!

Fergie, Josh, & Dachshund

Fergie & Josh Christmas Card – Like many of us, this year’s Christmas card from Fergie and Josh Duhamel features their dogs; in this case a caricature of their Dachshunds named Meatloaf and Zoe.

When asked by US Weekly what she wants for Christmas, Fergie replied, “For my dogs to use the bathroom outside!”

Fergie w/ Meatloaf & Zoe

Nice touch that one of the dogs is writing, “Happy Holidays” in pee on snowman Josh. (well, at least they are outside!) In any event, the card is a nice contrast to the cold & obnoxious Kardashian card this year.

Looks like Fergie won’t be ringing in the new year with her wiener dogs this year, as she is due to be in LA hosting Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.

Charlie on the Cover of Playboy

Hef & Crystal

Hugh Hefner & Crystal Harris Fight Over Custody of Puppy: Months after ending their engagement, Hugh Hefner and former fiancee, Crystal Harris, are still feuding over who gets to keep their puppy. Originally the dog was supposed to remain at the Playboy Mansion, but apparently Crystal is having second thoughts

Hefner told People Mag, “We both love the puppy. I told her if she wants to keep the ring and the Bentley, then maybe I can keep the puppy. I hope we will work it out.”

There's Charlie!

The dog, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Charlie, appeared on Harris’ famous “Runaway Bride” issue just after she left Hef.

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Adele & her Dachshund, Louie

Adele, who just had successful surgery on her vocal chord, was seen for the first time outside her London home with her dog; a Dachshund named, “Louie,” who was seen peeking out of his dog carrier.

The surgery reportedly went well, and Louie has reportedly been very supportive. The male dog was named after legendary singer, Louie Armstrong, but was actually almost named “Britney Spears.”

Adele says, “He was born on the night I went to see Britney Spears in London. I almost called him Britney even though he was a boy. But it only lasted a few hours until my hangover stopped.”

Note to self: don’t name a dog when hungover. Anyway, you can see more of Adele and Louie in this 2011 video of an interview she did for a British radio station:

Paris Hilton orders filet mignon for a stray dog

While on vacation in Bali this week, heiress Paris Hilton ordered a filet mignon dinner (reportedly costing about $75) for a hungry stray dog outside the restaurant where she was dining.

She later tweeted, “Saw a starving stray dog on the beach of the restaurant… Made me so sad. So we ordered him a filet mignon, he loved it!”

She later added, “The cruel treatment of these stray dogs has upset me so much I can’t sleep. I’m researching the internet to see what I can do to help.”

Well, even though she got some great press for her $75, I doubt that it was just a publicity stunt. Regardless of your opinions of Paris, you can’t argue with the fact that she made the stray dog happy w/ a tasty steak dinner!

photo courtesy of Paris Hilton

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Miranda Lambert w/ dog, Ophelia

Although there is no talk of Country Music star Miranda Lambert and new husband Blake Shelton expecting a baby, the two were happy to welcome dog #8 last week.

The lucky stray purebred bloodhound apparently walked onto the couple’s Oklahoma property and was snatched up by Miranda to join her 7 other rescue dogs. “Full blooded 7 month old blood hound. Ophelia is what I named her. Lord not another one … “ she tweeted to her fans.

Although “Ophelia” is also a tragic character in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the name is derived from the Greek word for “help,” and it looks like the hungry stray may have gotten just that from Miranda and Blake.

In an update on Monday, she tweeted, “Vet said she is all good and pretty healthy for a stray. Awww!” She also shared the photo above with the caption, “Someone who likes to give hugs.”

Good luck, Miranda! Hope this puppy is your good luck charm at the Grammys.

Sausage sticks it to The Man - REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis

Viva la Sausage!

Sausage the Greek Riot Dog – While the Greek economy comes apart at the seems, most dogs still prefer to leave the drama to humans. All, that is, except “Sausage the riot dog.”

Sausage (or “Loukanikos”) has been a part of every protest in Syntagma Square (central Athens) for years now, and has become a celebrity in Greece and abroad. When people took to the street yesterday to protest the latest government cuts, Sausage was at the front lines again, barking at police, and disrupting their attempts to hit protesters with batons.

don't tase me bro!

Interestingly, although Greeks are up to their necks in economic problems, they still serve as an inspiration to much of the world in their handling of stray dogs. In Greece, stray dogs are not euthanized, or left to rot in tiny city kennels. They are neutered, given vaccines, and even microchipped. All 2000 or so of them wear collars and tags, making them easy to identify.

Greek hero

After such humane treatment, it is fitting that a stray dog like Sausage has become a symbol of freedom in Greece. Let’s hope that Athen’s financial crisis doesn’t lead to an end to their inspirational stray dog program*

Update: I see evidence that the program might not be as successful as I had initially heard. It looks like Greece has their share of problems with stray dogs, and cruelty against them from city residents. Maybe dogs like Sausage will help them gain respect.

Mila Kunis with weird hair & her French bulldog, Audrey

Mila & her dog, Shorty

Mila Kunis recently described herself as “not a big attention-seeking person,” wanting “the simple things in life,” often preferring time at home with her two dogs, named Shorty (a corgi, beagle, chihuahua mix) and Audrey (an 8 year old French Bulldog).

Mila recently said, “Shorty’s the best dog in the world but has this thing with lizards now. He thinks they’re fun. He’s like, ‘Here mom, look at this’ and spits half a dead lizard at my feet. It’s gross and he’s all, ‘Yay, look what I did’.

Nice. Hopefully with all the recent attention the “Friends With Benefits” star is getting, she still has time for those nights at home with the dogs!

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Emma Watson & Yorkie - i-D Magazine

Emma Watson Strips Down to Her Yorkie – Well, I guess it isn’t actually her Yorkie, but the former Harry Potter Actress did strip down to nothing but a fancy gold jacket and a strategically placed (and annoyed-looking) Yorkshire Terrier dog in a recent garden photo shoot for i-D magazine.

Having been used already as an accessory by Paris Hilton, Yorkies everywhere are hoping that the fashion trend won’t catch on again!