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Dancing with the Stars – and Their Pets!

Dancing with the Stars – and Their Pets!

See the show’s pros and contestants step out with their furry partners

By People Staff

Updated September 17, 2012 09:45 AM

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CHERYL BURKE

Credit: Charles Bush

Don’t mess with this ‘s pooch! Cottén, a 7-year-old rescue Chihuahua, is a “sweet, sweet dog,” but has been known to get rough with a few of the male dancers – especially Derek Hough!

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DEREK HOUGH

Credit: Courtesy Derek Hough

The dancer is obsessed with his new puppy EyBoi and frequently shares photos of himself (shirtless!) with the dog on Twitter. “I feel so lucky,” he wrote. “This dog is incredible. Everything I’ve taught him he’s applied within two days Genius animal!”

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DREW LACHEY

Credit: Greg Wahl-Stephens/AP Images for Banfield Pet Hospital

He may have a 100-lb. shepherd at home, but the singer doesn’t hesitate to give kisses to a tiny pooch at an event in Portland, Ore.

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CARRIE ANN INABA

Credit: Stephen Danelian

The Dancing with the Stars judge has five – count ‘em, five! – cats, and always lends a hand to animals in need, like an injured opossum she found wandering on the reality show’s lot.

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MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY

Credit: Courtesy Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Dancing’s resident hothead is all smiles when it comes to the English bulldog he co-parents with his brother at their New Jersey home, Sir Sleep-A-Lot.

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TONY DOVOLANI

Credit: Courtesy Tony Dovolani. Inset: Gregg DeGuire/Wireimage

After he and partner Martina Navratilova were booted the first week of competition last season, the Dancing pro surprised his family with a Pekapoo puppy. “He looks at you and gauges his mood based on yours,” he told PEOPLE of dog Louie.

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BROOKE BURKE

Credit: Courtesy Brooke Burke

The show’s cohost ditches the dance floor (and the evening gowns!) for a comfortable moment on the couch with her proud German shepherd.

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MARK BALLAS

Credit: Courtesy Mark Ballas

When he’s not minding his pet turtles, is happy to step in as dog-sitter for his buddy Derek Hough.

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APOLO OHNO

Credit: Courtesy Apolo Ohno. Inset:Craig Sjodin/Abc

“I may not have said if I’ll go to 2014 Olympics but this guy is ready,” the speed skater wrote on Twitter with this shot of a furry friend draped in medals.

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GILLES MARINI

Credit: Courtesy Gilles Marini

After wrapping season one of his TV drama Switched at Birth, the actor kicks back with his favorite furry lady, French bulldog Mila.

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MAKSIM & PETA MURGATROYD

Credit: Courtesy Peta Murgatroyd

Off season, the pro couple spend some time getting acquainted with penguins at New York’s Central Park Zoo.

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CHELSIE HIGHTOWER

Credit: Courtesy Chelsea Hightower

A furry friend critiques Hightower and her partner, race car driver Helio Castroneves, as they practice steps on a boat prior to the big premiere.

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KIRSTIE ALLEY

Credit: Courtesy Kirstie Alley. Inset: Lester Cohen/Wireimage

The actress’s Corgi is a reluctant dog model. “My dog, May, arrives today… prepare for an onslaught of Corgi photos,” she wrote, adding, “Although she doesn’t like photos.”

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KARINA SMIRNOFF

Credit: Courtesy Karina Smirnoff

The best end to a long day of rehearsals? For Smirnoff, it’s a cuddle on the couch with rescue dog Randy. “My favorite part about him is when you start getting angry or frustrated, he runs up to you and starts licking and kissing you everywhere,” she told PEOPLE.

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PAMELA ANDERSON

Credit: Courtesy Pamela Anderson

The former Baywatch is a vocal animal advocate who takes in animals whenever she can. In May, she rescued a cow from slaughter and named her Gaia.

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Dancing with the Stars – and Their Pets!

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CHERYL BURKE

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DEREK HOUGH

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DREW LACHEY

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CARRIE ANN INABA

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MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY

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TONY DOVOLANI

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BROOKE BURKE

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MARK BALLAS

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APOLO OHNO

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GILLES MARINI

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MAKSIM & PETA MURGATROYD

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CHELSIE HIGHTOWER

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KIRSTIE ALLEY

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KARINA SMIRNOFF

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PAMELA ANDERSON

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