What is a Designer Dog?
I am getting more and more calls from clients that ask for help in training their Chug (Chihuahua/Pug) or the Mastador (Mastiff / Labrador Retriever) or how about the Pomapoo (Pomeranian / Toy Poodle). When given these Designer names, I then ask my clients what type of breeds are in this dog they have, yes, I can figure out some, others I just can't.
These are Designer Dogs. A designer dog is a cross between two purebred dogs. A purebred dog is a dog that exhibits the likeness of its parents; such as the same traits, characteristics, size and much more. There is a standard to follow when it comes to purebred dogs.
Individuals, Puppy Mills and Backyard Breeders are constantly creating new Designer Dogs. A Designer Dog is a dog that has two purebred breeds in their DNA. What is the difference between a Designer Dog and a Mutt? A mutt has no documentation of its ancestry breeds.
If you are interested in a Designer Dog I want to be able to provide you on how to go about getting a Designer Dog that is right for you and your family.
RESEARCH
• Do your homework on what breeds you are interested in
• There are sportsman breeds, lap dog breeds, agility breeds and breeds that have coats that are non shedding, and there are breeds that bark
• Designer Breed consists of two breeds, find out about the two breeds in that Designer Breed you are considering
Is this what you are looking for in a dog?
Understanding Both Breeds is a MUST
You want to know what the characteristics and the temperaments are in each breed
Do both of the breeds match your lifestyle and your family's personality?
If there is one breed that doesn't match what you are looking for continue to look and move on
For example is one breed a "yappy dog" and the other breed not?
Assuming only certain characteristics will show up is setting yourself up to be disappointed down the road, as there are no guarantees
This is not fair to your new puppy
• Designer Dogs do NOT get the free pass on genetic issues/problems
However, the genetic issues are much lower than a purebred dog because the gene pool is mixed
DO YOU TRULY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTING?
• Designer Dog Breeders aren't necessarily just breeding a 50% purebred + 50% purebred
• Generations are being crossed to help create certain traits and characteristics of one of the breeds
For example, let's look at the Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever/Poodle)
To get a none shedding Goldendoodle the traits have been bred into this to help achieve the none shedding coat by crossing the breeds
There are category's and it will be in your best interest to learn and have a basic understanding on how these work in Designer Breeds
It is important to understand these category's and how they work and the breeder should be able to provide that information to you
Breeders however, cannot guarantee certain coats of the dogs and even harder is the temperament of which breed they will inherit as they get older
They can predict and share with you from their experience in working with their breeds
• Meet the adults
Puppies are cute, no matter what
Puppies get big and grow into an adult dog
What do those parents look like?
Do you like what you see?
Your puppy will grow to look like them in some ways
The parents will give you a better idea of the puppies personality's too
DESIGNER BREED OR PUREBRED?
• No matter what type of dog you wish to get for yourself or your family, RESEARCH is a MUST
• Understanding the breeds characteristics, temperament, size, and colors will help you make a more informed decision
• Adopting or purchasing a dog is a life-long commitment and should never be taken lightly
• Designer Dogs can cost up to $2,500 or more
• NEVER purchase online, at a pet store, or a newspaper ad
• Research for a reputable breeder of these specialty dogs
• Visit their kennel
• Meet the puppies parents
• Ask questions and find out how long they have been doing their "Designer" breed, you truly want the "best of the best"
Please remember there are many of these Designer Dogs sitting in shelters and foster homes looking for their new forever home. Due to over breeding of these Designer Dogs and not enough buyers the vicious cycle of ending up in a shelter is common. Designer Dogs can be a FAD and just because you see someone famous sporting around a Morkie (Maltese / Yorkshire Terrier) does not mean you should run to the nearest pet store and purchase one.
Please let me remind you that Pet Store puppies are from puppy mills. Don't think for a second that Designer Dogs are not those "Puppy Mill" dogs. Puppy Mills are now reevaluating the Designer Dog Fad and have decided to jump onboard to cash in therefore churning out these Designer Dogs and selling them Online and to Pet Stores. Back yard breeders are also thrilled to be cashing in as well.
There are now rescue organizations for certain Designer Dogs that have been over bred and not enough buyers, so look into adopting and rescuing a Designer Dog! Adoption is always the Best Option and working with a Reputable Breeder is the only other alternative!
Courtesy: Victoria Swanson, www.goodlittledog.com