My Thoughts on 'designer dogs'

[Taylor]

I tried to carry Brutus into the Mall in a small handbag.

They caught me......

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

DH and I purchased a so-called designer dog a few weeks ago after many years of trying to decide if we could lovingly nurture a dog. We purchased a taco terrier which is half toy fox terrier and chihuahua. We named her Lucy and we LOVE her to pieces. She is such a little lover and her personality is awesome. Lucy came from a dog-breeding family of six children of whom we were very pleased with because Lucy was flawless in terms of being VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. When we picked Lucy up, John talked to us for well over in an hour to teach us everything we needed to know to raise a healthy toy breed dog. Don't ever talk down every breeder because they are not all bad. Lucy is everything we had dreamt of and we are so happy there was a breeder that could provide us with a puppy that we can love. By the way, before anyone wants to throw darts at us, all of our previous pets came from a shelter. Forgive us this one time for acquiring from a breeder. Plus, we did not feel we had to get this pup just because we wanted to keep up with Paris. Good Lord! We promise not to take her to the mall.

 

[beachbunny]

I own a pure breed and the main reason I opted for a pure breed was because there are few, if any surprises as to temperment, size, hereditary ailments, etc. With these mixed designer breeds, you don't know what you're getting. In that case, why not adopt a pound puppy?

My big gripe about mixed designer breeds is that I've seen some mixes that are absolutely cruel to the animal. My SIL purchased a "teacup pom-chi" for over $1000 from a "breeder" - yes, that person specializes in these smaller than small animals. The poor dog is now full grown and weighs less than 3 pounds! Why would anyone do something like that to a dog?

 

[ZachnElli]

I have a malti-poo and a ****hzapoo. I've had them several years, long before Jessica Simpson had hers. I didn't know anything about "designer dogs". I went to the humane society first and they were very strict about families with small children. They wouldn't let me adopt because I had children under 10 years in my family. What more could I do? I only recently heard of Petfinder.com, not sure if they were in existence back then. But most of the rescue groups on there are very strict also. I understand why they are strict, but because of their rules it makes it very hard to adopt. Adopting a pet is not easy, certain yard sizes, fenced yards, someone home all day, etc. Those are some of the rules I've seen in my area. BTW, I wanted a poodle mix because my DS does have allergies and I had a cockapoo growing up and I loved him to death.

 

[clutter]

Actually, it doesn't matter whether it's a designer dog or a purebred one. It's irresponsible breeders that are the problem. Beachbunny, I disagree that you know what you're getting with a purebred pup. If you have a bad breeder, you could end up with all sorts of problems. I've seen that happen too many times to someone that got a purebred from a backyard breeder.

I have two cockapoos. The breeder I got them from is marvelous and cares about every puppy she's ever bred. She'd be a model breeder whether she bred designer dogs or purebred ones. Right now, our life fit buying puppies from a reputable breeder that were a poodle cross. I didn't want a poodle, and I met one too many nasty Bichons to get one of them. I've rescued before, and I may do it again. It just didn't work for now.

Now as for the hollywood types, don't get me started. The only thing that can set me off even more is the newer trend... babies as accessories!!!

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Now as for the hollywood types, don't get me started. The only thing that can set me off even more is the newer trend... babies as accessories!!!

I applaud your reply and don't get me started on this newest trend...babies. I can't believe Hollywood has just discovered babies.

 

[Banshee]

Strange I ran across this thread we had an aticle in our paper today about this. They intervieved several people a young woman from De. who bought a puggle for 700. She pirchased her dog because she felt it had all the assets of a big dog in a 15 pound body. It also said labradoodles were originally bred in Australia in the mid 70's it was designed as a hypoallergenic guide dog. The trend has taken off in recent years as actor's Jake Gyllenhaal (who own's puggles) and others have over popularized hybrid breeds. The puggle is the top requested according to the canine hybrid club. Daisy Okas of the AKC cautions against buying the newer trendy hybrids. saying "the names are funny the dog's are different but it is just a trend" she also say's " A great majority of breeders are making outlandish claims there is a whole marketing effort behind them" Harry Garner president of the Canine hybrid club said "a hybrid is less like to have the genetic problems specific to their purebred parents but cautioned against claims of the perfect dog" Still hybrids are marketed as breeds free from all less desirable traits of their purebred parents (which is just NOT true) often a high price comes with those lofty claims. "The popular designer dogs are selling for as much and often times more than either purebred used to create them" Garner said " it is common to find puggles on the internet selling for as much as 1500. and more! It is more than one could expect to pay for a Pug , which is the more expensive of the two parent breed's." Nancy Beall, President of the ACASPCA said " Designer dogs promote more breeding and overpopulation. There are many "hybrid" dog's at the shelter" she suggest's "you go to the shelter first rescue something and feel good about it." Okas from the AKC say's "people think they can buy a dog online, just like buying a microwave from amazon. It's not the same thing. People can say anything online it does not mean they are a reputable breeder."The original girl from DE who bought a puggle wished she had done better research when she picked her puggle up from the airport she was underweight and had a severe case of kennel cough, requiring immediate veterinary attention. My family has been breeding labradors since 1955 starting with my parents.there is no way to make a hybrid breeder stand by their claims or any warranty they might have (short of taking them to court which can be very costly) At least with a purebred you have the AKC on your side (as long as it is registered) The AKC will go as far as revoking your breeding liscence if you dont stand behind your pup. Also if you buy a registered purebred from a "backyard breeder" who most likely wont have a warranty the AKC will make them pay for any medical bills up to the price of the dog or refund you the purchase price. With a Hybrid you just dont have that. If you are not going to research the breeder and go to a reputable breeder that has excellent breeding stock then you might as well go to the shelter and save a life. Most Hybrids (and I will say this to the day I die) come from puppymills or backyard breeders and are only over populating with dogs loaded with problems from health to behavioral issue's. Most of these "breeder's" are using purebreds of sub par quality with a myriad of health problems and genetic disorders that should not be bred in the first place.

 

[Pam]

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

 

[Aimeedyan]

Argh, the designer mutt trend disgusts me... If people stop supporting these irresponsible "breeders" then it would end. (There is no such thing as a reputable mutt breeder.) Until then, millions of designer mutts will continue to die in shelters alone...

Such a sad trend and unfortunately, the animals are the ones who continue to suffer for it.

(ps - there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, either. It's a term irresponsible breeders throw around to sell dogs)

 

[deide71]

Got my dog Otis from the pound. He weighed 13 pounds when we got him...8 years, and about a ton of dog hair, later he's 120! We love him to pieces. He wasn't bred to be anything...just an accident. He's good natured, smart, and healthy.

Couldn't ask for anything more !

 

[kayeandjim00]

As a matter of fact it is true that mutts are much more likely to have less problems like hip dysplasia than pure breds. I have a black lab who might have a little something else we have no way to know but it's a good guess that she's 99% lab. A coworker has a lab that he bought from a breeder - she's HUGE - apparently she was bred to be a big dog over 100 lbs at this point, has tons of allergies which have cost them a fortune, etc. Our little shelter lab has ZERO problems thus far. We also have a beagle/basset mix and our vet agreed with the sentiment of mutts having less health problems. He said it was a good bet that our little 'mutt' would live 17 years.

 

[Cindyluwho]

(ps - there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, either. It's a term irresponsible breeders throw around to sell dogs)

I don't have any scientific proof, not being a scientist myself, but my cousin was beyond allergic to animals, grass, every darn thing. Being in the room with an animal made her eyes swell up, she could barely breath! But she was fine around poodles. It was at her doctor's suggestion that her mother bought her 2 poodles. As I said, I don't know the science of it, but many kids with allergies and asthma do fine around poodles.
As I stated before, I don't think there's any problem other than people who buy dogs for the wrong reasons. If they would just get educated before they choose a dog there would be NO problem with breeders, strays, etc. A dog is a commitment. You don't get rid of them because you didn't have time to train them correctly or because they got sick or old.

 

[ashjohnson80]

My baby pupy is a yorkshireterrier/tpoodle mix. i didnd' buy her. my sisnter honestly did have an accent with her dog and she gave them all awy to family. she will be spay ed at 6 mos old.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

As a matter of fact it is true that mutts are much more likely to have less problems like hip dysplasia than pure breds.

Hybrid vigor (which is basically random selection) is only the case in random bred mutts, not designer breeds. Designer dogs, especially the ones that end up in pet stores and from backyard breeders that sell in the newspaper, are usually the offspring of whatever two small breeds the breeder can get ahold of, regardless of quality.

As a vet, I've seen almost as many cases of hip dysplasia in mixed breed dogs as I have in purebreds. Hip dysplasia tends not to show itself until after the dog has reached breeding age, therefore the genes/traits are passed along before natural selection has a chance to eliminate these dogs from the gene pool. It is true, however that the larger the breed, the bigger percentage of dogs we see with hip dysplasia, so since random selection tends to breed out the giants (dogs weighing 150 pounds or so) that does tend to account for the slightly lower percentage of hip dysplasia in mixed breeds. Large designers, such as Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, etc. have basically the same incidence of hip dysplasia as Labs, Goldens and Standard Poodles.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

From a literal standpoint, hypoallergenic means "lower allergen producing" not "non allergen producing". I believe the non-shedding dogs tend to have a lower dander producing skin (it's the dander that most are allergic to) and tend to leave less hair around the house which collects dust, but they are not allergen free. I also believe that small, non-shedding dogs are kept cleaner than shedding dogs because of their need to go to the groomer. This may contribute to the non-allergenic myth, but I also tend to see more skin problems/allergies in the dogs themselves.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

years ago i had two big dogs from the shelter that lived 14 years with us. They both passed away. Then for some reason I developed allergies and checked the shelter once again for a poodle or something but from the time I had adopted the other 2 dogs the shelters have made it very difficult to adopt. I looked and looked. I tried poodle rescue groups but didn't find anything because I had 2 small kids at the time to consider. I finally bought a full breed poodle, had her spayed and almost 10 years later, still have her. She is everything I wanted, she grew up with the kids, she has always been part of the family. She is worth every cent and I would do it again. I know the shelters are full. The rescue group are full, but I feel that I am doing my part by spaying and neutering and keeping an animal for life. We give her a great home for life.

 

[robinb]

(ps - there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, either. It's a term irresponsible breeders throw around to sell dogs)

I am not allergic to my Standard Poodle puppy and I was very, very allergic to my Akita. I can't even pet regular dogs without washing my hands immediately. I sneeze and my eyes redden and swell up. I think it all depends on what part of the dog you are allergic to, the coat or the saliva. If you're allergic to dog saliva you are sunk. If you are allergic to dog fur then you can buy a dog with hair that grows and does not shed.

As for the poodle cross breeds ... the biggest problem is simple genetics. The Labradoodle that you buy has a 50-50 chance of having the Labrador coat and not the Poodle coat. I don't know if you can tell as a puppy and if the breeders even bother to tell the buyers, but so many of these dogs are now being dumped at shelters. Do a Petfinder.com seach with "Poodle" as a seach criteria and see how many young Poodle crosses are out there. The thing that cracks me up the most about when people list why people buy a poodle cross (hypoallergenic, good with kids, easy to train, great family dog, etc.), they end up describing a Standard Poodle to a "tee". Why not just buy the poodle and be done with it ?

 

[kayeandjim00]

Hybrid vigor (which is basically random selection) is only the case in random bred mutts, not designer breeds. Designer dogs, especially the ones that end up in pet stores and from backyard breeders that sell in the newspaper, are usually the offspring of whatever two small breeds the breeder can get ahold of, regardless of quality.

As a vet, I've seen almost as many cases of hip dysplasia in mixed breed dogs as I have in purebreds. Hip dysplasia tends not to show itself until after the dog has reached breeding age, therefore the genes/traits are passed along before natural selection has a chance to eliminate these dogs from the gene pool. It is true, however that the larger the breed, the bigger percentage of dogs we see with hip dysplasia, so since random selection tends to breed out the giants (dogs weighing 150 pounds or so) that does tend to account for the slightly lower percentage of hip dysplasia in mixed breeds. Large designers, such as Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, etc. have basically the same incidence of hip dysplasia as Labs, Goldens and Standard Poodles.

I didn't make myself clear I don't think - I did mean the random breed dogs - like mine who's lineage is really unclear - they look most like certain breeds but they were strays adopted from the humane society so we have no way to really know.

 

[bigolive9]

One of my problems (besides those that have already been brought up on this thread) with the designer breeds is that they are as expensive as a purebred. People purchase these dogs and think they are getting some sort of fancy, purebred type dog. No. A pure bred dog comes from two parents of the same breed- you just paid more for a "mutt" than you would have if you had gone to a responsible breeder of the poodle or whatever. The people here like them because they have clever sounding names, and are cute puppies. The problem with that thinking is that all puppies are cute- what will they be like when they grow up?
If you want a unique dog, go to a local shelter. I have heard that the Humane Society is making it harder to adopt dogs, but there are other options. I know our local PetSmart brings in animals from assorted local animal shelters for adoption, and they are only (usually) around $60 to adopt. In Indiana, that also includes the micro chip identification.
I have both a purebred Westie and a German Shepherd mix. I got my Westie at my local Uncle Bills pet store, and I do feel very guilty about it. I love him so much, but I will never buy a dog from a pet store again. Our Shephed mix we got at Animal Care and Control, and she is just as sweet and loving as our Westie. The animal shelters do tests on the animals to make sure they are not aggressive- Sammie would go on walks through their cat room.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

I didn't make myself clear I don't think - I did mean the random breed dogs - like mine who's lineage is really unclear - they look most like certain breeds but they were strays adopted from the humane society so we have no way to really know.

Fair enough. I have one of those dogs myself. She is a 16 year old Schnauzer (?) mix who came from a shelter in Columbus, GA. So far, she has outlived any purebred I've ever owned.