Here is an excerpt of an article we found on latimes.com. It provides what a breeder like Kathy Weichert (a breeder, owner and exhibitor of champion Beagles including Uno - last year's Westminster winner) thinks about PETA and similar-minded organizations: (please post your comments below)

PETA, according to Weichert, is "a radical group that believes no
animal should be domesticated. They are targeting [Westminster]
because it is highly visible around the world."

"Hobby breeders" like herself (as opposed to puppy mills, which churn
out purebred dogs for profit), says Weichert, are not responsible for
genetic defects in purebred dogs. "Reputable breeders, as opposed to
mills or backyard breeders, would never intentionally or knowingly
breed animals that were diagnosed or known to carry genetic or fatal
faults." Small-time breeders, she thinks, "most definitely are a
positive influence on the breeds," and breeders are among the most
prominent donors to groups like the AKC's Canine Health Foundation,
which research genetic disorders in dogs.

So what about breeds like the Pekingese and Pug, whose squashed faces
can cause breathing problems, and the Chinese shar-pei and
Bloodhound, whose wrinkles can become breeding grounds for
infection? Do breeders contribute to such problems by locking these
traits into their dogs' bloodlines?

On the contrary, says Weichert. "Those are breed traits! Those
breeds have always looked like what they look like. No, those traits
come naturally when breeding dogs of the same breed...Peke to Peke
produces all puppies that look like Pekes!" Genetic problems, she
says, will happen regardless of the care a breeder takes; it's just a
part of nature. "Can [PETA] explain why children are born with
allergies, Down's, deformities, mental retardation? No!" Canine
genetics -- like human genetics -- are not an exact science, Weichert
says. But breeders like herself take every possible precaution by
testing their breeding stock for health issues and knowing every
intricacy of their dogs' lineage.

She scoffs at the suggestion that pet overpopulation is related to
purebred dog breeding. For one thing, many hobby breeders like
herself breed a relatively small number of puppies (Weichert
generally breeds one Beagle litter per year, although she may try to
breed two in 2009). For another, potential puppy buyers are
thoroughly vetted (no pun intended) to make sure they're serious
about pet ownership.