The Celebrity Puppy Phenomenon

Paris Hilton has one. Miley Cyrus has one. And they are super cute, an no -- they are not handbags. They are Chihuahuas. It's part of something I call the Celebrity Puppy Effect. When some kind of dog is either in a high profile movie or is owned by very high profile stars, a lot of people start to want whatever kind of dog it is. Remember the Pug in Men in Black? Or Beethoven? So people want one of these cute, awesome dogs, and they get one and it's a puppy for a while and very adorable....and then there's a reality check. Often dogs in high demand are bred by puppy mills, and backyard breeders. The puppies are unhealthy and often sold too young. So these dogs start having health and behavioral issues and end up in shelters.

This is beginning to sound like a PETA lecture.

Not all of these dogs turn up in shelters but a lot of people find themselves with the wrong kind of dog. Just because an animal acts a certain way on TV doesn't mean it's going to act that way in your home. I should know -- I have two pugs and they never once have mentioned an alien conspiracy.

That's why its important to read up on characteristics of breeds as well as get a good general dog book about vet visits, housetraining, grooming etc. Someone I know bought a Shih-Tzu which was sooo precious when it was a puppy, but she was not prepared to deal with grooming long dog hair when it's cold, muddy, and rainy outside, and the dog has to go into the yard.

So there are a lot of things to think about and a lot of good reasons not to fall victim to the Celebrity Pet Effect. Besides, I bet Paris Hilton pays a fortune in dog clothes.