Oh, PLEASE NOOOOOO...............

[TsPoet]

First: I have 2 rescue mutts - both with baggage from the 2 years before I got them (not that I'm perfect), so I agree and practice what I preach.
But...
Lots of these designer mutts are intended to have a purpose. Almost all (all?) poodle mixes are designed to be more hypoallergenic, for example. Many are intended on being hardier/healthier due to diluting out breed-specific ailments. For example, a puggle is a beagle pug cross. It is intended to create a dog with a pug-like temperament, but with beagle-added health. Pugs can't handle ranges in temperature at all, and beagles can. On the other hand, beagles can be willful and hard to manage. The puggle seems to be a very successful designer dog.
I would love a puggle - I think pugs are cute and generally have wonderful temperaments, but I want a dog that can go hiking with me and can do agility.
I won't buy a puggle because there are several rescue dogs available at any given time that can go hiking with me and maybe do agility, depending on the complete rolling of the dice and the temperament I end up getting.
So far one of my two mutts is brilliant at agility, but we can't compete because he is fear aggressive and I can't guarantee he won't bite the judge and my other rescue has turned out to be extremely soft and scares too easily, so doesn't perform well under pressure. I love them both and will continue to do agility as long as we are all having fun and I wouldn't trade either of them.
So, my next dog will be.... a rescue mutt, and I'm going to name it Peeves - so I can tell everyone it's my pet, Peeves. But, hopefully that won't be for a very longtime as my two are happy and healthy.

Also, all current breeds were once designer mixed dogs.

[Running Mommy]

Our little Jack is a rescue mutt, got him last November and just love the little bugger. He's some kind of terrier mix. He actually looks like a Scotty/ Schnauzer mix. Tho he acts a lot like a jack russell.
All I know is that he's one fab little dude. He was a stray, and I can't imagine how anyone would either dump him (happens alot here in Phoenix) or not come looking for him once he went missing.
He has his faults, like systematically eating our family room sofa, and eating the chamois out of expensive bike shorts, but we love him nonetheless.
In fact he loves other dogs, so we are considering taking him down to the shelter to pick up a brother or sister.

[sundial]

Flye, have you considered for future litters to have pediatric spays/neutering? That way you can control your lines and discourage undesirables from buying one of your pups.

[ttaylor508]

Lots of these designer mutts are intended to have a purpose. Almost all (all?) poodle mixes are designed to be more hypoallergenic, for example. Many are intended on being hardier/healthier due to diluting out breed-specific ailments.

Like TSPoet posted here, there were specific reasons to create some designer dogs. From Wikipedia: "The Labradoodle was first deliberately bred in 1989, when Australian breeder Wally Conron first crossed the Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle for Guide Dogs Victoria.[1]. His aim was to combine the low-shed coat of the Poodle with the gentleness and trainability of the Labrador. This provided a guide dog for the blind with less shedding, and hence more suitable for people with allergies to fur and dander. Today, Labradoodles are often used as Guide dogs, Assistance dogs, and Therapy dogs."

So I think there is a purpose to some of these designer dogs, not just a "trendy thing". I know a few people who have labradoodles because they were highly allergic to pet dander. So I think the original intentions of some of these breeders was to create a breed that had a specific purpose as stated above.

[maillotpois]

I have a Labradoofus.

Actually, now I have two.

[tulip]

Don't Portuguese Water Dogs already fulfill the function of Labrodoodles? They don't shed, they fetch, and they swim. I don't know if they make good guide dogs, though. When I worked with a guide dog outfit in France, I saw mostly goldens and German shepherds.

Mutts can make fine guide dogs, drug dogs, cadaver dogs, bomb dogs, too. But you can't breed them to be so, some just have the right stuff, and there's no easy money in pound dogs like there is in breeding operations.

[Flur]

Lots of these designer mutts are intended to have a purpose. Almost all (all?) poodle mixes are designed to be more hypoallergenic, for example.

Now this is MY pet peeve! (No harm meant towards TsPoet here) This is one of the biggest misconceptions about these designer dogs. There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. As a general rule (there ARE exceptions), most people are allergic to dander, not fur. Since all dogs (and cats, and humans) produce dander, shedding is not a determinant in whether a person will be allergic. The determinant is whether the person is allergic to that particular breed's dander. I, personally, am extremely allergic to poodles. I can't be in a room with one for more than a few minutes without allergy meds, and will be overwhelmed with wheezing in under an hour even with meds. And it just kills me when people act like it's impossible, their dog is "hypoallergenic". < ... Steps off soap box>

[tennisgirl43]

I think the designer mutt fad is just crazy. I was at a pet store the other day (I like to go in and play with the poor babies!) and all the dogs were something-or-other-doodles, or "a-poos". And the prices were outrageous. I think it demeans the various breeds and the work breeders have done through the years to better each one. Yeah, they are cute, often, but I'm with everyone else that says, if you want a mixed breed, go to the local shelter or rescue and find one. If you want a specific breed, go to a reputable breeder, and for goodness sakes, have your pup spayed/neutered!

Ok. I'm off my soapbox now. You know how opinions are! lol! Sorry if I offended anyone!

[wackyjacky1]

I'm pretty neutral about deliberately mixing breeds...it doesn't really bother me. A family in my neighborhood has a Labradoodle. It's one of the cutest, sweetest dogs I've ever met, so I guess I can see the appeal of having one.

[nancielle]

While I'm not into designer dogs, I think the Weimardoodle in the picture is kind of cute in a pathetic way. Look at his face. He's got a "love me anyway" look going on.

A friend of mine bought a labradoodle 4 years ago. Danger Dog (name changed to protect the guilty). She failed obedience school a couple of times. My friend would come into work black & blue from the dog "playfully" attacking her. Made numerous trips to the vet because the dog ate her clothing (underwear, socks, etc.) Wouldn't walk on a leash. Wouldn't come when called. My friend states the dog is getting better but...4 years is a long time to wait. (Am not implying that Danger Dog is indicative of the breed.)

[Possegal]

I swear I saw a dog that looked JUST LIKE THAT ONE in the kitty/puppy ER last night. Oh yes, that's right, fun way to spend your Tuesday evening. Though not quite as fun as watching your cat have a seizure. OY!

But there was a dog in the waiting room that looked just like that. My niece and I looked at each other, each with the "what the heck is that" look on our faces, then we both just cracked up. I thought he was kinda cute though. (no one hit me for that, I had a rough day! )

[latelatebloomer]

I wouldn't consider a "designer dog" - but wait..to 'fess up, one of the dearest dogs of my life was the shepherd/collie mix who helped raise me and my bro for 16 years. After losing our rescued white shepherd to cancer way too early, I've had the urge to return to the hybrid vigor and splendid temperament of that mix. Is that the same as a "designer dog?" Good god, Fella was so proud of his blue-collar status!

[Gemma]

Now this is MY pet peeve! (No harm meant towards TsPoet here) This is one of the biggest misconceptions about these designer dogs. There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. As a general rule (there ARE exceptions), most people are allergic to dander, not fur. Since all dogs (and cats, and humans) produce dander, shedding is not a determinant in whether a person will be allergic. The determinant is whether the person is allergic to that particular breed's dander. I, personally, am extremely allergic to poodles. I can't be in a room with one for more than a few minutes without allergy meds, and will be overwhelmed with wheezing in under an hour even with meds. And it just kills me when people act like it's impossible, their dog is "hypoallergenic". < ... Steps off soap box>

You're right - there is no such thing as a "Hypoallergenic Dog". However, less hair shedding means less dander too, so even people with dander alergies are generally less sensitive to low shedding dogs (like Poodles) than to higher shedding dogs (like Labs).

Gem

[Flur]

You're right - there is no such thing as a "Hypoallergenic Dog". However, less hair shedding means less dander too, so even people with dander alergies are generally less sensitive to low shedding dogs (like Poodles) than to higher shedding dogs (like Labs).

Actually less shedding does not equal less dander. The dander sheds from the dog independent of the fur. It's just dead skin cells, same as we humans shed.

Give me a fur shedder any day of the week! Long hair, short hair, coat-blowers, they're all good. I only have allergies with "hypo" dogs!

[Gemma]

Actually less shedding does not equal less dander. The dander sheds from the dog independent of the fur. It's just dead skin cells, same as we humans shed.

Give me a fur shedder any day of the week! Long hair, short hair, coat-blowers, they're all good. I only have allergies with "hypo" dogs!

There is a link between the rate of shedding and the production of dander in dogs. Research has shown that improvements in diet can also reduce the shedding of both hair and skin cells (ie dander).

Current thinking seems to be that the less disruption to the dermis (ie from hair loss, dryness, scratching etc), the lower the rate of dander production. My husband is also dog allergic, and I love dogs, so this is an area of some interest to me (I'd hate to have to give him up )

Other studies have a shown that some individuals appear to have breed specific allergies (ie caused by specific allergens, & not necessarily related to the overall rate of shedding and/or dander produced), and perhaps that's the case in your instance.

Gem