New Yorkers love their Yorkies—according to the American Kennel Club, they're the most popular pure breed in the city, for a second year in a row. (Certainly Schmitty has something to do with this.) A spokeswoman for AKC says of the small dogs, "It just reinforces the fact that New Yorkers live a busy, fast-paced lifestyle and need their portable pooches." A breeder of the pups told the Daily News: "They are certainly good city dogs, and sometimes they can be better watchdogs than much bigger breeds." more ›

What does the Westminster dog show have in common with the KKK? According to PETA: plenty. The organization donned white robes and pointy hats as they protested the show outside of Madison Square Garden yesterday, declaring "the American Kennel Club promotes pure-breeding of dogs that is harmful to their health." Last year they explained this on their blog, and this year they took it to the masses with materials that read: "The KKK and the AKC: BFF?'' Such accusatory acronyms! more ›

The 132nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show arrives at Madison Square Garden Monday. The two-day event has thousands of dogs undergo a winnowing process that culminates with the awarding of Best in Show. The American Kennel Club recognizes 157 disinct breeds that are eligible for competition, and four of those breeds are brand new entries to the field. They include the Tibetan mastiff (a working dog), the Beaucerand and Swedish vallhund (herding dogs), and the Plott (a hound). more ›

**Tied for 3rd more ›

- This past weekend, a Queens man was arrested for animal cruelty. Oswald Joudan faces up to a year in a prison and a $2,000 fine for a number of terrible things he did to his Chow Chow "Lumpy" (pictured). A neighbor called the ASPCA, which found the dog so badly beaten that its face is distorted. The dog was also starved to the point of being 30 pounds (!!) underweight and had a 14-inch collar on the its 17-inch neck that was so restricting that it was embedded in the flesh. The dog needed 100 stitches to close up the wound. The ASPCA will determine whether the dog, who has a "great disposition" and will be renamed, can be adopted, but in the meantime, you can call 212-876-7700 to find out. more ›

1. Poodle; 2. Labrador retriever; 3. Dachshund; 4. Yorkshire terrier; 5. Golden retriever; 6. Bulldog; 7. French bulldog; 8. Shih tzu; 9. Havanese; 10. Maltese and pug (tie). more ›

The NY Post puts the mug of a puggle - a mix between a pug and a beagle - on the cover, saying that this accidental breed is the hottest in the city. Metro Puppy Kennels owner Brian Incovaia says, "Everyone is clawing for them, it's ridiculous. I get people calling left and right for them and basically you get the equivalent of breeding a Marc Jacobs bag with a Louis Vuitton." Well, that's a problem right there, thinking that a dog is like a purse. But anyway, the dogs, which cost along the lines of a bigger Marc Jacobs bag (from $650-900), are popular because they are small enough for Manhattan apartments. And that answers the American Kennel Club's question, "What is the purpose of a puggle?" The AKC says other cross breeds were designed to help out with herding, but clearly, these days cross breeding is all about having a tiny dog for your shoebox apartment or whichever designer dog carrier you want to buy. But people, there are tons of dogs in city shelters that need your attention, so look there first! more ›

There's also great NY Times audio slide show (look on the right column here) with the co-owners of a Tibetan Terrier, the owner the dog lives with is in NYC and the other owner is the breeder. The breeder says that NYC dogs are much better socialized, and therefore she likes to place dogs here. Given that the dogs get to know the interiors of tiny apartments well, it is true they are very nice when Gothamist tries to hug them. more ›

Henry Hudson, Model more ›