When You Get A Designer Dog
Designer dogs, crossbreeds, hybrids, or designer mutt, what should we call this variety of dog? We have heard of them by a dozen different names but what are exactly are these dogs that come with such a big price tag?
You may know that all dogs have been crossed bred at one time or another to create all these purebred dogs that we enjoy today. In fact, May 21, 2004 Science Magazine ran an article claiming that only nine breeds come from the original ancient stock and the rest of the purebreds have been breed in the last 300 years.
For example the Doberman Pinscher originated around 1890 and was a blend of Rottweiler, Black and Tan Terrier, and smooth hair German Pinscher, and was recognized as a breed in Germany by the 1900s.
Although all dogs have been crossbred the AKC American Kennel Club does not recognize any of the designer dogs that we have today. The American Canine Hybrid Club acknowledges about 400 designer dogs, like the Comfort Retriever a Golden Retriever Cocker Spaniel cross.
It probably all started by an accidental pregnancy between to purebreds but whatever the case the designer dog is here to stay. They are popular for many reasons but the two most common are their health and their single coats.
The Hybrid Vitality
Some people believe that by widening the dogs gene pool there is less chance for a disease to crop up. All dogs are prone to hereditary disease although mixed breeds are less apt to have certain genetic diseases prevalent only in certain breeds. Are designer dogs healthier? Beneath all that fur and sweetness they are still dogs, canis lupus familiaris.
The Hypoallergenic Claims
The biggest reason for buying a designer dog is often and one of the best selling points for the breeder is their reputation for being easy on the eyes. Owners and Breeder’s contribute this to the designer single coat. Dogs with a single coat have a coat that has no undercoat and does not have yearly or twice yearly shedding. Dogs with an open coat have a type of single coat that is less thick and less dander. While numerous owners and breeders agree this is an advantage there is still some chatter that there is no such thing as a truly nonallergenic dog.
I have personally known people who could tolerate the dander of certain breeds and not the dander of other breeds. I would not purchase any dog purebred or designer based on the hypoallergenic claims alone.
Designer dogs are produced due to public demand so depending on what breeds are popular, the designer cross breed will be, too. If you own a designer dog you are in good company. A list of Puggle owners alone reads like Hollywood’s list of Who’s Who. The lovely Jennifer Aniston loves her Labradoodle and Tiger Woods makes no secret of being a designer dog owner too; or perhaps the beautiful Ashley Judd who owns a Cockapoo maybe even two.
There are a number of hybrid dog registries throughout the world, which acknowledges approximately 400 different types of designer dog, I strongly recommend looking to these resources in selecting a breeder of designer dogs. If you purchase your dog from a reputable designer breeder you’re paying for a dog, who has been carefully bred and genetically screened to provide the healthiest pet you can possibly adopt.
For more information on designer dogs and their breed mixes refer to Common Dog Breed Mixers For Those Cute Designer Dog.
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