My Thoughts on 'designer dogs'

[milkabum]

Okay, being a dog owner and an animal lover, this has been balled up inside of me and I have to let it out. What the hey is with designer dogs? Not the actual dogs, the trend!?

We already have an epidemic of overpopulation, why add to it? It's also one more breed to add in puppy mills. All dogs make wonderful, loyal, companions but gimme a break here! Breeding puppies just to be like Jessica Simpson and her Malti-poo, Daisy? A LABRADOODLE? A SCHNOODLE? Yeah, I'm a sucker for mixed breeds but it's getting way out of hand. I feel so bad for the dogs in shelters that have to die because someone could spay/neuter their pet for a lifetime of health. Why breed or buy while other pets die?
It's not only disgusting, but sad. And look at all the possible breeds people came up with, they are listed here
Anyone else feel the same way?
Emily
Let me say it once more, I have nothing against people who buy them, or the dogs themselves, but those who breed them. And I'm not talking about an 'acciddent' either.

 

[Cindyluwho]

First of all, this is not a new trend. Poodle mixes have been around for decades mainly because many of the offspring are hypoallergenic. NOTE: I didn't say ALL the offspring were, but many of them are. Not everyone wants a poodle, no offense to poodle lovers but many want dogs and are allergic. Ok, I got that off my chest

Secondly, it doesn't matter what kind of dog folks get - designer or otherwise - if they're going to be rotten dog owners. Just as many mutts get left at the shelter as purebreds and designer dogs. There are just lousy pet owners out there who aren't educated enough to make good decisions about getting dog. I don't think designer dogs are making this any worse.

OK, I'm off my soapbox now

 

[VSL]

I thought this thread was about the dogs that Paris Hilton et al carry around in little handbags as if to make some kind of fashion statement. Accessories.

These women don't have trophy wives (well, that's illegal in the US anyway), but rather trophy pets.

ETA: Cindyluwho - is that really your book?!

 

[milkabum]

Cindy, your first point has made a good reason. But besides exceptions of allergic owners. And designer dogs do make it a bit worse- more dogs are being bred in puppy mills and often develop diseases.

 

[magicmouse2]

I thought this thread was about the dogs that Paris Hilton et al carry around in little handbags as if to make some kind of fashion statement. Accessories.

These women don't have trophy wives (well, that's illegal in the US anyway), but rather trophy pets.

ETA: Cindyluwho - is that really your book?!

Me too.

The trend in our area is ****zu's and some owners got rid of their other dogs to get one of these trendy dogs I have 2 beautiful German Shepherds and wouldnt swap them for the world. Yes the yare high maintenance and dont look good with handbags but they are worth it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I have my opinions and it may provide flame fodder but here goes...

My thoughts of someone like Paris Hilton who gets their designer pooch (she actually got rid of Tinkerbell when she tired of it!)....

The pooch is a baby or boytoy or girltoy replacement.

It is something to buy baubles for, in some cases dress up, and in some cases by jewelry for.

It isn't a pet. It's a replacement for a human and all for show.

And then it loves you unconditionally despite all this bribery.

It is sad.

Now I'm not saying they should go get a man or a woman or even have a baby. Far from it.

But I do think that a designer dog ala Paris Hilton and her pooches is nothing but a fashion statement replacement for any of the above.

If they really loved animals--then a simple animal adopted from elsewhere would suffice.

And what dog needs a Louis Vitton carrier and more Karats on their collar than I will ever receive in my human lifetime? If you can lick your privates--it is safe to assume that you won't know if your collar came from Walmart or Tiffany.

 

[wdwmom2]

If you can lick your privates--it is safe to assume that you won't know if our collar came from Walmart or Tiffany.

 

[milkabum]

LOL It is true though. Some dogs rather be swimming in mud than going to the mall in their coach bag.

 

[paigevz]

It's not just the designer dogs to me, it's any breeding program that is in place solely for that reason: to breed and sell, breed and sell.

There was, a few weeks/months back, an ad in our classifieds for chihuahua puppies. In the same ad, they list wanting to trade a 4 year old chihuahua female for a 2-4 year old pug female MUST be so-and-so registered. Now, I'm the first to admit this is an assumption, but I'm pretty sure that's so they can breed chihuahua/pug mixes (chugs, I've heard them called). To me that's just sad.........you know the one being traded isn't a beloved pet and you can be sure the dog knows it, and they are assuming that others would also have a dog that is not a beloved pet that they can use to capitalize on the new fad.

That's sad.

 

[milkabum]

It is. And do you think the dogs have a clue what is going on? No.
It's like being put on a plane blindfolded piloted by clown fish. You'd never guess it.

 

[janette]

It's not just the designer dogs to me, it's any breeding program that is in place solely for that reason: to breed and sell, breed and sell.

Some of us do depend on that breeding so that we can get a dog that can be tolerated by people with allergies. It would be nice if there were more people in it for the love of the pets vs the $$ though.

LOL It is true though. Some dogs rather be swimming in mud than going to the mall in their coach bag.

Our 4yr old Bichon is much happier in a mud puddle than he is getting made to look pretty.

 

[paigevz]

Some of us do depend on that breeding so that we can get a dog that can be tolerated by people with allergies.

But see, to me, that's not for the SOLE purpose of breed and sell. That is breeding to be able to provide loved pets for those who might not otherwise have one. Same as breeding to improve a breed's health or temperament. Those folks aren't JUST breeding to sell, and they (in my experience) do all that they can to ensure the pups go to a loving home, and they love and treat their breeding adults the same as they would if they weren't breeders.

 

[milkabum]

Like I said, it is not about the dogs or people who buy them- but the trends and breeders. With the exception of allergic possibilities.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

A little history first... the first Labradoodles and Goldendoodles were bred by guide dog schools to be used as working dogs for people/families with allergies. They took the best Retrievers from their breeding stock and bred them to equally sound Standard Poodles. These dogs served a specific purpose.

The little 'designer dogs' on the other hand: Puggles, Shih-Tzupoos, Malti-poos, etc. serve no specific purpose other than as pets. Why do people breed a Something-poo when you can breed a good quality purebred? Because these dogs sell. And they sell for high dollars and without paperwork. The American Kennel Club started cracking down on poor breeders/puppy mills a few years ago by limiting the number of litters that could be produced by a parent dog. This cut considerably into the bottom line of puppy mills, as their sole purpose is to breed large numbers of dogs with 'papers'. Now with the popularity of designer mixed breeds, they can breed an unlimited number of puppies and still make the same amount of money. Often, these parents are very bad examples of their breed and produce bad temperaments, bad skin, congenital defects, etc. So, those who use 'hybrid vigor' as a selling point are flat out lying. Hybrid vigor is only a factor when natural selection is involved based on random breedings. Often we see offspring with only the bad qualities of both of their parents, not the good qualities.

There are dozens of quality purebreds from good, reputable breeders. Breeds who have all of the good qualities of the designer dogs and without the problems. Everyone, do yourself a favor and purchase one of these dogs instead of the designers... or better yet, get a shelter dog.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

Some of us do depend on that breeding so that we can get a dog that can be tolerated by people with allergies. It would be nice if there were more people in it for the love of the pets vs the $$ though.

But, there are dozens of great non-sheding breeds. There isn't a need to make new 'designer' dogs.

 

[milkabum]

But, there are dozens of great non-sheding breeds. There isn't a need to make new 'designer' dogs.

True, adopt a homeless miniature schnauzer or pug at the local shelter!
With the except of the larger dogs, I have learened from MMG, that they are used with allergic people.

 

[kayeandjim00]

I have an issue with breeding period - yeah I know allergies and whatever but in the end LOTS of dogs are put to sleep every year because someone decided to buy instead of adopt. It's just a fact. We have a black lab and a beagle/basset mix both from the humane society - both hundreds less than what they'd have cost. Apparently the beagle/basset is also a trend in some areas and our neighbors paid way more than us to buy it from a pet store aka puppy mill. Now IF people are going to breed dogs and I know that as long as there is a market they will, I would only support a QUALITY breeder. Quality breeders have very few litters because of the time and expense that is involved. They care very much about the dog and it's future and won't adopt to just anyone. I know someone who breeds viszlas and they aren't in it for the money. They do it because they love the dogs and enjoy it. I can't ever see a scenario when I'd buy a dog but if I did that would be the only way. These designer dogs are a joke - they are MUTTS people. Go on petfinder.com and you can find every combination imaginable. Sadder still is the fact that these designer dogs are a trend and in a year when no one wants these dogs the humane societies will be overcrowded with puggles and whatever else they call these dogs and they won't be fashionable anymore and thus will be just another mutt.

 

[milkabum]

~ Bump ~

 

[bubie2.5]

If they really loved animals--then a simple animal adopted from elsewhere would suffice.

 

[disykat]

I see no difference between designer breeds and any other kind of dog that is bred for sale. Neither buyer is taking a shelter/rescue dog.

I have allergies and tried for over a year to get a rescue or shelter dog in my area. I was plugged into the rescue sites in two states and was willing to drive. It simply wasn't possible. I needed a small, nonshedding dog that liked children. In the year I was looking, ONE came available - who was not properly socialized and was not good with children.

I ended up buying a Miniature Schnauzer from a breeder. I see no difference between that and if I had bought a Schnoodle from a breeder.