Dog Community

Paris to Preside Over Cute Puppy Competition...

Posted : 4/27/2007 8:29:46 PM

Quoted from Modern Dog Magazine, Spring 2007 Issue, p. 16

"Bring out the hair ribbons, practice that wide-eyed-adorable expression, and treat your pooch to a Mommy-and-Me spa treatment - it's time to get cute. This March on the Women's Entertainment Network, a new television program will be holding mutts everywhere captive. Reality-TV hounds, get ready for America's Cutest Puppies. Little dogs from all over the U.S. will go head to head and the winner will be decided American Idol-style with viewers casting votes for their favourite pup. Entry rules require dogs be between four and eight months old (insert collective "awww" here) and be, well, cute.

As for the host, who better to presie over the pup parade than hotel heiress, singer, actress, and, most notably, professional socialite, Paris Hilton? While Paris has received her fair share of public criticism in the past, no one can argue that she doesn't know cute. According to Paris, "The only rule is don't be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in." She futher demonstrates her savvy through an acute sense of self-awareness: My hair always looks awesome, even if it's in pigtails."

Sadly, it's too late for your dog to audition for America's Cutest Puppies - the auditions were held in the fall of 2006 -- but if Paris and the pups have any sort of chemistry, perhaps you can plan for season two. But if you and you Park Avenue puppy princess would rather toss playful yet scathing remarks ("I'm soooo prettier than that bitch!) at the contestants, that's cool too. Or is that hot?
-Brielle Morgan"

What?? Has anyone even seen this show? It says it started in March. Those poor puppies, being paraded around on stage with cameras and lights everywhere... and Paris! And they MUST be puppies, in an oh-so important socialization/learning/possibly fear experiencing stage. And, its not even comprable to a (real) show situation, as these are likely not show bred dogs, and haven't had this kind of experience before....

Ugh...

ETA: I just have to throw in that I see 3 rules in the statement that says "The ONLY rule is.... 1. don't be boring, 2. dress cute wherever you go, 3. life is too short to blend in." dummy

DE Lee

Posted : 4/27/2007 10:56:04 PM

I was hoping Paris was going to starve herself to death...but alas my powers of mental persuasion must be on the fritz again!

lorib

Posted : 4/28/2007 1:19:40 AM

BLEAH.[:'(]

polarexpress

Posted : 4/28/2007 8:17:38 AM

Don't freak out too much: I have actually seen this show---or at least the "preliminary part" and IMO it was NOT bad for the puppies at all.

The part I saw was probably a preliminary audition kind of thing. They showed folks waiting in line outside with their puppies and then you met the three judges---I can't remember who they were, but I am pretty sure at least two of them were involved with animals in some way. I think one worked at a zoo and one was from a local animal welfare group or shelter or something.

They sat at a table on the right side of the tv screen, on the left a curtain covered a wall and there was open floor space maybe 12 by 12 in the middle. The owner and dog came in through a door in the back of the room and were intoduced. Some owners carried their dogs and then put them down, some walked them in on leash (all puppies were on leash.)

They had 30 seconds (that's it and they explained it was part of the rules) to talk to the owner and ask about the dog. The puppy walked around and sniffed the floor or whatever. They were not asked to do anything. One fellow carried in a mix of some kind that was sprawled back in his arms, tongue lolling out in a silly grin, and it cracked me up.

While the idea of the show horrified me, from what I saw the puppies were doing just fine. They were with their owners, on leash, not asked to perform, there were no bright lights or crowds---just 3 people at a table and the guy at the door. It was probably a great socialization experience for them because they got to see and meet many dogs and people and it was pretty low key. The judges used low, quiet voices and they didn't touch any of the puppies during the part of the show I saw. The host of the show (some guy) did pet some puppies outside the studio as part of the opening sequence.

To make their decision to go to the "next round" the judges looked at their notes and polaroid photos of the puppies.

I don't know what happened next, because I turned it off.

BTW Paris Hilton is not a judge of puppies. She is a judge of accessories and a poor one. Perhaps she will judge the finals and then it will be a scary thing for the puppies. I can't imagine her in that mellow room.

sherrida

Posted : 4/28/2007 8:18:01 AM

i've seen this show. it is not as bad as it sounds. Each week it takes place in a different city. Most of the judges (there are 3 on each show) are local people. the mayor of that city, a rescue dog trainer, the president of the Canine Good Citizen organization, etc.

this article was all about Paris and her views are not representative of what I have seen. The chihuahuas never win!! It is mostly based on playfullness and personality.

Hopefully Paris will not say something stupid and embarrass herself, but I doubt it

Cheryl

Posted : 4/28/2007 8:59:32 AM

I hope those puppies have all their shots.....[8D]