American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers' Association Uncover the Inner Dog & Cat of New Jersey

NEW YORK, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tomatoes, the Turnpike, big hair and Washington Crossing the Delaware. New Jersey is associated with many things, both good and bad.  The state has an official insect (the honeybee), folk dance (the square dance), and even a state dinosaur (the Hadrosaurus Foulkii) but when it comes to man's best friend and feline, New Jersey comes up short.

Inspired by New York City's October 16 & 17 Meet the Breeds event™, the world's largest showcase of cats and dogs, the American Kennel Club (AKC®) and Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA®) searched through the distinct personality and characteristics of more than 200 dog and cat breeds to determine the best fit for various stereotypes attributed to New Jersey. Weigh in and cast your vote now at www.meetthebreeds.com by clicking "Vote Now," or go to AOL PawNation and make your voice heard.  Among the choices:

SMALL YET MIGHTY – The fourth smallest state in the nation, yet the most densely populated.

Dog Breed: Yorkshire Terriers offer big personalities in a small package. Despite the breed's small size, this portable pooch is the third most popular breed in the U.S. according the AKC Registration Statistics.

Cat Breed: The Burmese is a compact little cat, and so tightly muscled that it can take on all challengers. With its snub nose and big round eyes, you'd think he could do some damage. Burmese, however, are very affectionate cats; more lovers not fighters.

ITALIAN POPULATION – New Jersey has the third largest Italian population by percentage according to the 2000 Census, but if you watched the Sopranos, the Real Housewives of New Jersey, or Jersey Shore, you might think everyone in New Jersey is Italian, or at least wants to be.  

Dog Breed:  The highly adaptable Spinone Italiano originated in Italy and is known for its superior nose and robust, sociable and docile temperament.  As a naturally cautious dog The Spinone is the ultimate wash and wear breed and should remain in a natural state, with just occasional brushing.

Cat Breed:  No cat breed originated in Italy, but the highly prized Abyssinian was thought to have been introduced from Ethiopia. Sleek and regal, any Italian gal would like to have an Aby riding shotgun in her Caddy convertible!

MISUNDERSTOOD IDENTITY – While the Giants and Jets identify themselves as New York teams, they actually play their games in New Jersey.  

Dog Breed:  Based on appearance alone both the Great Pyrenees and the Kuvasz look similar. Both are large, white, fluffy breeds that hail from the Working Group with similar livestock guard dog heritages.  

Cat Breed: American Shorthairs and British Shorthairs look very much alike and yet there are subtle differences. Both are large, big boned cats with short hair. The Brit has a much denser coat while the American has a hard coarser coat. Both breeds are considered the working cats of their countries.

BIG HAIR – A popular hairstyle for women in New Jersey — think teased out, dyed, and hair-sprayed until the hair reaches several inches in height.

Dog Breed:  It's all about the hair for Shih Tzu's!  Their long, flowing double coat is always coiffed with a lovely top knot sporting a beautiful bow. The word Shih Tzu means "lion" and although sweet and playful, this breed isn't afraid to stand up for himself! This portable pooch has a distinctively arrogant carriage with his head well up and tail curved over the back.  

Cat Breed: Nothing can top "Big Hair" better than the Persian! These beautiful, laid-back cats have been the lap cats of royalty for centuries. After being introduced to Europe from Persia, they eventually found the USA and became CFA's most popular breed! With long flowing coats that reach the ground, these big-eyed beauties were first to put the "Big" in "Hair."

Learn more about these breeds and place your vote online at www.meetthebreeds.com by clicking "Vote Now" or at AOL PawNation for the dog and cat breed that best represents New Jersey.  Polls close September 27.  Log onto www.meetthebreeds.com to find out what dog and cat America chose as the best match for New Jersey.

From the Afghan Hound to the Turkish Angora, the Meet the Breeds event will showcase 160 AKC registered dog breeds and 41 CFA registered cat breeds in booths individually decorated to depict each breed's country of origin, historical purpose/function, and attributes as a family pet.  The family-friendly event is an opportunity for potential pet owners to interact with responsible breeders and play with dogs and cats while educating themselves about responsible pet ownership and choosing the right pet for their lifestyle.  

Tickets allow admittance for one day and can be purchased online at www.MeetTheBreeds.com.

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About Meet the Breeds -- With 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds, plus demonstrations, shopping and children's activities, no pet lover will want to miss Meet the Breeds. Each breed will be presented in its own designated space, decorated to reflect its heritage, characteristics and unique attributes as a pet, while allowing attendees to literally "Meet the Breeds" by petting dogs, cats, puppies and kittens and learning about them directly from the experts. The event is proudly presented by PetPartners, Inc. a leading pet healthcare provider, and will feature more than 120,000 square feet of dog and cat festivities. Sponsors include Invisible Fence® Brand; Pet Brands, Inc.; P&G Pet Care, Iams; Motel 6; ADT Security Services, Inc.; LubriSyn CA; AOL PawNation; Hill's Science Diet Small & Toy Breed dog food; TD Bank, N.A.; American Pet Products Association; Dog.com; GoPetFriendly.com; Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Litters; Paramount Chemical Specialties, Inc.; Royal Canin; Petmate; JAKKS Pacific, Inc.; Sturdi Products and World's Best Cat Litter.  For more information visit www.meetthebreeds.com.

The American Kennel Club, founded in 1884, is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function.  Along with its nearly 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 20,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Companion Animal Recovery and the AKC Museum of the Dog.  For more information, visit www.akc.org.

The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc. (CFA) was founded in 1906 as a non-profit association of member clubs and is the world's largest registry of pedigreed cats. CFA's mission is to preserve and promote the pedigreed breeds of cats and to enhance the well-being of ALL cats. CFA promotes education, responsible cat ownership and proper care to the owners of millions of cats worldwide. CFA and its affiliate clubs work nationally with local shelters, at a grassroots level, to help humanely reduce homeless and feral cat populations, and to encourage voluntary neuter/spay of pet cats. To learn more about the Cat Fanciers' Association, the pedigreed breeds of cats, or to find the nearest CFA cat show, visit their web site at www.cfa.org

SOURCE American Kennel Club