Thoughts On Designer Dogs

Designer Dogs

Mixed Breeding

Question Comment 1: Two Interesting Articles have exposed some things about designer dogs, one that backyard-bred designer dogs plague animal shelters, amateurs are breeding sick dogs with health and behavioral problems, and more.

Designer Dogs are Mutts

Comment 2: What I don't understand is how these dogs are different from old-fashioned mutts. Whether a mixed breeding is intentional or an accident, shouldn't the genetics come out about the same?

I think a big part of the problem is that the purebred parents aren't healthy to begin with. I doubt many reputable breeders of Beagles or Pugs would breed a Puggle, or let one of their dogs be used to make a "Puggle" I also think a lot of it has to do with the fact that designer dogs are mixes of 2 purebreds, each with their own sets of health issues.

Mutts are often truly "mixed breeds", in that several generations going back were not pure breeds, but mixes of many breeds themselves. My guess would be that if you took a very well bred Beagle, and bred it to a very well bred Pug, you probably wouldn't see the same incidence of health issues that are often seen. But then again, that's just my guess and I really don't know!

Shi-Poo, Shi-Tzu

Comment 3: I imagine the subject of designer dogs will appear from time to time. I guess when I see the subject line..I hold my breath that my dog's breed is not involved. I happen to live next door to a shi-poo...and all it does is growl and bark. What upset me with their choice is that my neighbor asked me so many questions about choosing or finding a good breeder. I used my breeder as an example. I told her why the Newfoundland is the dog for me. I went into detail about Newfoundlands and why this is the dog for me. I was emphatic that she should do research on what dog would fit their life style, financial position, all those factors you should consider when choosing a dog. She was thrilled when she saw my newf. And 2 weeks later, she proudly showed me her new pet store, Shi-Poo. :( So much for education. She went on to tell me all the virtues she was sold on. Small like her old Shi-Tzu...and smart like a Poodle, and that it looked just like her recently deceased Shi Tzu.. (So much for her criteria) I didn't know what to say, except that she had a dog with undetermined behavior characteristics, and undetermined health. What does one say to that? And that she bought it from a pet store. (Very deep sigh)

Designer Dogs are Expensive

Comment 4: Totally agree that it seems insane that people are paying major bucks for these pooches. But I thought the gist of the article was that since the advent of "designer dog" mania, shelters are now plagued with the unsound offspring of these matings.  I just don't understand why the offspring would be any differently sound based on the intentions of the owners.

Anyway, here's a test I found...can you tell which is a shelter dog and which is the designer dog? :)

http://www.grumpybumpers.com/dogs