Meet the newest training partner for Bob Harper of 'The Biggest Loser': Karl (as in Lagerfeld)

Bob Harper wasn't in the market for a dog.

He has more than enough on his plate with "The Biggest Loser," trips back and forth to New York as part of his consulting gig on "Dr. Oz," a newly revamped version of the NBC show's Wii fitness game and his own on-line fitness program at My Trainer Bob. (Check out the video for his new crop of fitness videos. My quads got sore just watching.)

So he said that when a friend called a few weeks ago and told him "You have to see this dog, you will fall in love," his reaction was "No way, absolutely no way."

"But my friend insisted. I said OK, OK, I'll look at him, and, of course, there was no turning back."

The rescue pup is from the Animal Advocates Alliance in Baldwin Park and was already housebroken. When it came to picking a new name, Harper said there was really only one choice for the black-and-white pup: Karl.

As in Lagerfeld.

As in one of Harper's favorite designers and a man instantly recognizable for his own black-and-white look. (And if anyone thinks that this is an insult rather than the highest form of flattery, you are clearly not a dog person.)

Harper said he is especially proud that Karl is from a shelter. "It just kills me when people spend money on a dog when there are dogs in shelters waiting for someone to take them," her said. "I want to tell them, 'No! Those are puppy mills!'"

--Rene Lynch
twitter,com/renelynch

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Photo credit: Rene Lynch

Comments

[Balanced Dogs]

Good on you, Bob, for sending the right message: adopting an adult shelter dog is not only the right thing to do, it's a tremendous bonus over buying a puppy that has to then be house trained, will go through the terrible chews, and many more puppy hassles. Adopt, don't shop, and everybody wins!

[Chris Lewis]

"It just kills me when people spend money on a dog when there are dogs in shelters waiting for someone to take them," her said. "I want to tell them, 'No! Those are puppy mills!'"

What's wrong with that statement? Well for one, Karl came from a rescue; may or may not have started off in a shelter, but either way, those entities charge fees to cover their expenses and so do reputable breeders.

I'm glad that the dog has a caring (at least I hope) owner and I understand the urgency of promoting shelter dogs, but to state that all dogs that have been bought come from puppy mills is clueless.

[Dirk]

Well said, BD.

[Jill]

You can tell people the dogs in pet stores are from puppy mills! You have the forum through your high exposure. Do it!

[CN]

Yay! Now I'll have to start watching Loser more!

[Baffled Observer]

The finest pets I've ever had were strays that adopted me. My experience with bought animals is that they're inbred and unhealthy. Let me add to the plug for shelter pets!

[Noodles]

While I'm glad that Bob has adopted this dog, unless he knows all the facts, I for one am thankful he kept his mouth shut about people going to breeders to get a dog. Breeder does not equal "puppy mill".
To each their own. If people want to get them from a shelter, that is fine, but if they want to go to a breeder to get a specific breed with a known lineage - so be it. Everybody has different reasons for getting a dog.

[Peggy]

totally agree to adopt not shop - but if you want a purebred, you go to a reliable breeder (found thru breed orgs) or breed rescue because the mills drop their pups at the pet stores.

[Susan]

How wonderful. Shelter animals are the BEST. Never EVER buy from a puppy mill.

[Kelly]

There is a big difference between spending ~$100-150 (depending on your location) to adopt an animal from a shelter or rescue group and spending $1,000+ to buy from a pet store. Adoption fees for shelters and rescue groups are usually just enough to cover the cost of spaying/neutering the animal, administering vaccinations/flea treatment, etc.

Does EVERY dog that is purchased originate from a puppy mill? NO. Does EVERY dog or cat that is purchased come from a reputable breeder? NO. I think it is important for people to educate themselves and realize that there are AMAZING animals at shelters, even purebreds.

[Mia]

It is very SEXY about a man who cares for shelter animals.

[roxy]

Great looking couple. Good for you for adopting from a shelter. Love the photo!!!!!

[all dogs are equal]

Bravo to Bob for his stance on adopting shelter animals.

Regardless of whether or not all breeders are puppy mills, the fact remains that buying a purebred deprives a perfectly good shelter dog from getting a home.

And buying a purebred is simply an owner vanity. The dog doesn't know either way, does he?

[Cheryl Grant]

Bob is a lucky guy. Our group (Havanese Rescue) is betting that Karl is Havanese! What a sweet dog.

[Juanita]

How cute are they? Congrats on the newest addition to your life Bob.

[Kim]

Thank you to Bob for recongnizing the GREATNESS in shelter animals!!!
There are SO many DYING for a home, literally!
How lucky is Karl? Or is it Bob who is the lucky one here??

::)))

[Alison]

@ Chris Lewis @Noodles

The Baldwin Park dogs come from the Baldwin Park shelter - the highest kill shelter in Los Angeles. They charge a nominal fee for dogs they are fostering but they also adopt out dogs straight from the shelter, for the standard shelter fee. Animal Advocates Alliance charges much less than what breeders charge and it no where near makes up for the money they put into feeding, training and medical care for foster dogs. Also rescues do not add to the overpopulation of dogs, breeders do.

To say that this dog was any less rescued than a dog who came straight from the shelter is wrong because now another can be pulled from a shelter and put into a foster situation. The need for rescue doesn't end when a dog gets out of the shelter and into a foster home. We need to move the foster dog into a forever home to make room for another foster dog.

Now I agree that Bob wasn't precise between puppy mill and legitimate breeder but he erred on the right side of the issue in my opinion. There are plenty of pure bred dogs in shelters especially now with the economy and even more in breed specific rescues. Unless you plan to enter the dog show circuit or you absolutely must have a dog with papers please consider the shelter / rescue route. If you must go to a breeder, please make sure it is a reputable one who knows what he /she is doing and cares about where the dogs end up. Many people breed for looks but not for temperament or health. Many Back yard breeders know nothing about breeding and genetics. Do your homework and by all means stay away from pet stores and internet ads.

[JS-Santa Monica]

He did get all the facts, that dog is from Baldwin Park shelter where I volunteer. And while people may love certain breeds, they should get all the facts and realize that there are tons of "pure breds" languishing in our shelters every day. They die needlessly because people do not take the time to educate themselves. Before I got my first dog I looked into small breeders because while I knew that puppy mills were horrible, I knew that some small breeders were good people with good intentions. But then I educated myself on the situation in this country and now I would never dream of going to a breeder. We have created this problem of overpopulation and yet we insist on breeding more, it makes no sense. Until there are not millions of dogs dying in the shelters every year it is absolutely irresponsible not to rescue, period. Everyone can find a dog that will love them to no end at a shelter...so open your eyes, minds and hearts. ADOPT, DON'T SHOP!

[Rose]

What a wonderful example for Bob to set (if only our President had done the same). I wish more people were willing to open their hearts and their homes to shelter animals.
The Humane Society estimates that between 3-4 MILLION animals are euthanized in shelters each year in the US alone (this is a low estimate) and yet breeders and puppy mills continue to produce more dogs and cats. Anyone who wants to breed an animal should have to spend ONE HOUR community service in the 'euthanization room" of a shelter before being allowed to breed their animals....watching 50 innocent souls die before their eyes just may change their mind.
ADOPT a pet today!!! Your reward will be eternal love and devotion.

[WayToGoPens09]

My husband and I adopted two puppies from an animal shelter a few years ago. They have been smiling ever since!

[Noodles]

what people need to do is educate themselves fully before taking on the responsibility of a pet.
Can I afford it?
What are the issues with a specific breed? ie temperament
Reputable breeder?
If going to a store to get one: where did they get it?
Pets are not an impulse buy - a large majority of the animals in shelters are those are typically the ones which are impulse buys that end up in shelters. Or ones with personality issues that brought them there in the first place.
I still stand by my previous statement - he didn't even discern the difference between store bought, breeder etc.
I said he was a good guy for adopting - but not everybody who buys a pet is a bad person for doing so.
All my pets were saved in some way shape or form, but I will not condemn people for buying a pet.

[Natalie]

Congrats, Bob! He is a cutie :) I am with Cheryl below! I agree that Karl is likely a Havanese - I have 3 myself and they are wonderful dogs.

Someone made a comment about dogs in shelters being "pure bred" but this is not true. "Pure bred" is actually a term that is LEGALLY reserved for AKC registered dogs only. Purchasing a dog from a REPUTABLE breeder is often the only option for many people/families who suffer from allergies. Since you never really know what breed of dog you're getting from a shelter, it's not an option for a lot of people. Since reputable breeders will ALWAYS take a dog they bred back, this means that there are very few actual pure bred dogs in shelters. Surrendered dogs come mainly from two places: 1. Puppy Mills, 2. Back Yard Breeders.

If you are going to buy, buy from a REPUTABLE, AKC breeder that does health testing, personality testing, offers a lifetime guarantee, shows dogs, and has a great reputation among the breed community. Adopt, if it's a viable option for you!