It's not unusual to see Fido, the family pet, dash through a movie scene or even take center stage in Hollywood's notion of the perfect family life. Dogs are, after all, Man's Best Friend and have been depicted serving their masters since Cavemen began drawing on their own living room walls.

What has changed in modern-day cinema is what happens long after the movie credits have rolled and the theater floors are mopped – movie patrons flock to pet stores and the classifieds in search of their own furry movie star. The ending to this script is far too often a tragic one. Specific dog breeds, who before a movie's release were on the low end of AKC's popularity charts, become immediately desirable and unscrupulous breeders are prepared to meet the new demand.

Untold numbers of Dalmatians, St. Bernards, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Scottish Terriers and Old English Sheepdogs – breeds 'cutified' by Hollywood – have ultimately called a local shelter's death row 'home'. And now Disney's movie, 'The Shaggy Dog', threatens to add the little-known Bearded Collie to the unfortunate list of breeds whose popularity peaks then plummets like ticket sales.

The Bearded Collie Club of America, custodians of the breed since 1969, is as determined as their charges, and have developed a program to ensure the public has sufficient knowledge about the Bearded Collie before making a decision that affects so many.

If you find yourself contemplating puppy names on the way home from the theater, please take the time to meet with some experts. You, your family and the puppy will be very glad you did.

The BCCA's Press Release:

IS IT TRUE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE SHAGGY DOG?

Shaggy Dog movie goers get the opportunity to personally 'Meet the Bearded Collie Breed Owners' at the Elgin, Marcus Theater for a question and answer session about 'The Shaggy Dog' breed.

Elgin, IL – March 7, 2006 – With the release of Disney's 'The Shaggy Dog' movie opening the weekend of March 10, 2006 at the Marcus Theater in Elgin, Illinois, the viewing public will have the opportunity to meet the breed owners of real life 'Shaggy Dogs'.

The National Bearded Collie Club of America along with Regional Chicagoland Bearded Collie club members, who are dedicated to preserving, protecting and advancing the interests of the Bearded Collie through responsible ownership and breeding, announces a Meet the Breed Owner event at the Elgin Marcus Theater, on Saturday, March 11, 2006 from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. This free event provides the public an opportunity to speak first hand to real-life Shaggy Dog breed owners and to learn first-hand about the characteristics of this unique breed featured as the Shaggy Dog movie star. Bearded Collie breed owners will be on hand to answer questions about Beardies, share their experiences of fitting their lifestyle around the demands of this breed type and handout information about the breed's characteristics and local and national Bearded Collie Breed Club contacts.

Because adding a 'Shaggy Dog' to the family is a 12-15 year commitment. The Bearded Collie Club of America (BCCA) encourages anyone thinking of adding a Bearded Collie to their family to make sure this breed fits your lifestyle. As depicted in the movie, "The Shaggy Dog," this breed is very active, outgoing, bouncy, and affectionate. BUT -- -- Not All Bearded Collies are Movie Stars.

For additional information on Bearded Collies, please email: beardies@sbcglobal.net or visit the Bearded Collie Club of America website at: www.beardie.net/bcca

Media contacts:

Claudia Diaz, Local and National Club Member Representative

Bearded Collie Club of America and Chicagoland Bearded Collie Club

Phone: (847) 691-9583

Email: beardies@sbcglobal.net

Website: www.beardie.net/bcca