Senior Dog Takes Westminster

I love that an adult dog has won Westminster's Best in Show. Hopefully, the popularity of 10-year-old Sussex Spaniel, named Stump, will be a boom to adoption of senior pets. Evidently, the breed pool of the Sussex Spaniel is very small and it remains rare, with few landing in animal shelters. A quick search on Petfinder.com came up with only three Sussex Spaniels in the U.S. However, there are thousands of other spaniel breeds in shelters and rescue groups across the country. Some are purebred, some are mixed. But who needs a purebred when you can get a great mutt. A little spaniel, a little poodle, maybe mixed with a little pit. What's the advantage of a senior dog? Most come house-trained and are already vetted and spayed and neutered, they are calmer than puppies and just want to spend time hanging by your side. Above is Luke, an 8-year-old Cocker spaniel available from Posh Pets, a NYC rescue group that takes in many senior dogs. Check out Petfinder.com for great senior dogs.