--- WITH A FOREWORD BY DR. PHIL MCGRAW ---
Designer Dogs is the shocking exposure of the dangers of continuing
to make our dogs tinier or funnier looking, more "Instagram worthy," and
presents startling new revelations on why this threatens French
bulldogs, pit bulls, and other favorite breeds with extinction.
Ever heard of a labradoodle, a goldendoodle, or a puggle? How about a
cockapoo, a pomsky, or a spoodle? You or a friend have certainly been
enticed by a "hypoallergenic dog" or smiled at a "teacup." These are not
dog breeds that nature created; these are the results of the forced
mating or genetic engineering of different breeds, or inbreeding, and
popularized by social media and celebrities.
In Designer Dogs, Madeline Bernstein, one of the country's most
respected animal welfare crusaders, reveals our culture's obsession with
new types of dogs--engineering puppies that keep getting smaller or
sillier looking--and the horrifying health consequences of this on those
we claim as our best friends. She also provides extraordinary
revelations on how this has led to a world of "disposable pets"--puppies
and adult dogs abandoned when their medical expenses become too costly
and added to the 6.5 million animals entering shelters each year, or put
on the street--and informed insight into what's ahead: made-to-order
puppies; hybrid animals; shorter life spans for dogs; and even the
extinction of breeds like French bulldogs, pit bulls, King Charles
spaniels, mastiffs, Skye terriers, bloodhounds, and more. And Bernstein
calls out those responsible for the savagery, both domestic puppy mills
and backyard breeders, and also an international dog trafficking ring
that she's been on the front line exposing.
In the vein of Peter Singer's groundbreaking and best-selling volume
Animal Liberation, this one-of-a-kind book is one of the most
important industry exposés ever published. Bernstein's game-changing and
unforgettable text ripe with ethical questions is a public window into a
new and fast-growing industry, and destined to cause outrage and save
lives in the process.
A portion of the proceeds of this book will benefit the spcaLA.
