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

[rij73]

It is refreshing to have so many people agreeing with my outlook on this. I think the designer dog trend is completely unethical. Disgusting, really. I will admit to being militant in my views about animals, so like I said, it's a relief that so many of you also believe in rescues over purchasing a dog.

I don't think animals of any kind are a commodity to be bought and sold at all, though.

[TsPoet]

It is refreshing to have so many people agreeing with my outlook on this. I think the designer dog trend is completely unethical.
I don't think animals of any kind are a commodity to be bought and sold at all, though.

I think that's a little strong. But, I don't totally disagree. I do, however, think cloning pets is unethical and disgusting
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...for-25000.html

[TxDoc]

Well, we have a puppy or two left to sale, , and a potential buyer was considering breeding a Weimaraner with a Standard Poodle...............
Warning, it's ugly............
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/weimardoodle.htm
I was relieved that she walked away without one of our puppies.
What do you think of all this designer dog business? Anything you have seen that has been particularly cute? The weimardoodle sure doesn't do anything to promote cross breeding.

Oh My God!!! That is UGLY!
What is it with all this cross-breeding nowadays? I really do not understand this at all...

[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.

[Gemma]

On soapbox---

I completely respect people who breed for the betterment of the breed. I get that, and I have a very well bred golden retriever. And 2 mutt cats. But WHY IN THE WORLD would you intentionally cross breed dogs, creating mutts with unknown temperaments and then sell them. And WHY would people BUY them?? I just don't get it?? How are they different from the shelter mutts??*shakes head*

Climbing on to my own particular soapbox.....

Hybrid "Designer Dog" sales are now outstripping those of purebreds. I think this is largely because ALL the scientific research shows mutts live longer and healthier lives than purebreds.

Most people just want a happy, healthy family pet. Say “Boxer” and vets think heart disease; say “Bernese Mountain Dog” and they think cancer. The incidence and severity of inherited diseases in purebred dogs increases every year, and yet traditional breeders continue with outdated practices (like inbreeding and line breeding) that continuously limit genetic diversity.

In addition, changing fashions and fads in the show ring have caused some purebred breeders to exaggerate physical characteristics that make dogs more susceptible to health problems problems (bulging eyes in Pekingese, elongated backs in Dachshunds etc).

However, hybrid "Designer Dogs", provide the best of both worlds, purebreds and mutts: the ability to carefully select the parent dogs for health and temperament, and test for inherited diseases (like purebreds); and the increased health and longevity provided by genetic diversity (like mutts).

Certainly you need to be careful. There are puppy mills that have jumped on to the “Designer Dog” band wagon purely to make a profit.

However, there are also many dedicated hybrid breeders whose main aim is to produce healthy dogs, without the genetic problems that plague many purebreds. They carefully select the breeds they use, and test the parent dogs for any possible inherited problems. They aren't trying to produce a particular "look", or compete with purebreds - these breeders simply want to provide healthy, happy family pets.

There's a good article on the subject (written by a purebred breeder) at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/ma...tcrufts107.xml

I hope I haven't offended anyone, and I'll climb down now

Gem

[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!