[Ainsley]

You know, spoodles, cavoodles, cockerdoodles....

If it is done in a responsible way(and what would you say is or isn't responsible), is it legitimate to create these "designer cross-breeds" for family pets?

One of the main arguments in favour is that cross breeds are "stronger" than purebred animals, ie. they miss out on some of the inherited problems.

Another argument is that one ends up with the best traits of both breeds.

Also, the poodle-cross ones are generally for people with allergies, who would not othewise be able to have a dog.

Thoughts?

This post has been edited by Ainsley: 16 March 2005 - 11:16 AM

[KitKat]

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One of the main arguments in favour is that cross breeds are "stronger" than purebred animals, ie. they miss out on some of the inherited problems.

This can happen, but no more so then any other breeding...or they can cop all the problems from both parents, and since the dogs are very rarely health tested etc...who knows what these pups could end up with.

Quote

Another argument is that one ends up with the best traits of both breeds.

Unfortunately for cross breed pups it's all guess work...it's anyones guess how big they will get, what they will look like or what their temprement will be like.

Quote

Also, the poodle-cross ones are generally for people with allergies, who would not othewise be able to have a dog.

Perhaps but it's anyones guess as to how many pups in the litter will have the poodle coat, but they are all sold as having the poodle coat qualities...which most dont.

ETA - there are numerous threads that outline the above in greater detail, i think they are mostly in the general forum, though there would be a few on the breeders forum as well.

This post has been edited by KitKat: 16 March 2005 - 11:22 AM

[Allerzeit]

Yep - do a search on designer dogs and you will find many posts that explore the points you raised in great detail

Trace

[Ainsley]

I did a search - I understand, now.

That's kind of what I thought, but there is so much publicity about these designer dogs, and they seem so popular, I thought that perhaps I was just out of touch.

thanks.

[dogbesotted]

I my opinion they are over priced designer mutts.

While I am not opposed to crossbreeding ( ducking for cover here) to produce a "new" breed....a breed breeds true to parents with predictable results. The main problem i see is that this requires the production of many puppies who require good homes otherwise they will be euthanised.

I am involved in stud sheep breeding ( I love the old breeds) but there are many New breeds being developed as a result of knowledgeable crossing..( unlike dog breeding you can eat the failures).

[kateshep]

Ok...I've been holding my tongue on this issue..

Though I disagree with breeding dogs unless they are from ethical registered breeders. I don't think the cross bred theory should be throw out the window because its been a current fad of puppy mill breeders.

Crossbreeding in certain breeds I think would advantageous to eliminate upon exaggerated features developed with the aim to win dogs shows, and thus add more strength and vigor to bloodlines by bringing them more back to a natural shape.

In my opinion breeding pugs so they have such bulging eyes can hardly be healthy
http://img.photobuck...teshep/pugs.jpg

Nor bulldogs with such short muzzles..that they suffer badly in the heat and regulary need caesarians because of their oversized heads...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/kat...abulldogsui.jpg

Wouldn't it be a better idea if they were reverted back to the old type where they were healthy and athletic but obviously they won't win in dog shows.
http://img.photobuck...hep/smasher.jpg

Or Basset hounds that have such long backs and oversized ears..how is that healthy ?
http://img.photobuck...ep/2c8607ed.bmp

Or Shar Pei's with wrinkled skin that it is more prone to infections and skin diseases and needs excess cleaning ??..How is this good for the dog ?? Why can't dogs just live like dogs....be able to run and play and jump and climb up stairs without having back and spinal problems from doing so, from skin allergies ,..that they can see all around them without useless hair in their faces...that they can tolerate the heat without having a heart attack.... that they can give birth to puppies without human assistance..... and eat their food without their ears falling into it ?....or getting digestive problems..bloat...
http://img.photobuck...ep/5d992ba7.jpg

Does anyone else think that there is some benefit in crossbreeding for some breeds ?? ..to improve upon comformation to aim for something healthier but not exaggerated ??

This post has been edited by kateshep: 16 January 2006 - 02:40 PM

[holly]

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Does anyone else think that there is some benefit in crossbreeding for some breeds ?? ..to improve upon comformation to aim for something healthier but not exaggerated ??

You don't have to crossbreed to aim for healthier, just choose a dog/bitch, that has a more desireable trait, we do this with our breed, the GSD, all the time, lackign something? seek a partner that is KNOWN to give it

This post has been edited by holly: 16 March 2005 - 04:20 PM

[Ittybitty_]

i was passing by a pet shop yesterday they had maltaleiroodles. The sign said 'Check these out, 4 breeds in ONE!' and hypoallergenic (spelling?)
$1595!!!!!! I was ropeable. I had a go at the chick on the counter who happened to be the manager, and said how can you do that? How can you sell these mutts for this much money? She laughed at me and said, 'you obviously dont know anything about dogs, these are pure bred designer breeds.' I told her im a registered breeder of GSD's and Poms, and that i know about the 'b**$$$% they tell customers. And she asked me to leave her shop, as this information will lose her customers. Stupid cow.

[FlippingKazza]

I think its quite amazing that suddenly certain cross breeds are being called "designer dogs" and cost a fortune! How are they different to all the other mongrels?

[CAL]

FlippingKazza, on 16th Mar 2005 - 07:47 PM, said:

How are they different to all the other mongrels?

they are well marketed mongrels - no more, no less.

[melree]

Very well marketed!!!! Had a client at work the other day who had changed her mind about selling her pups to the pet shop. She knows how much they sell them for and only been offered $50 by them for the pup. Hopefully she found it a ggod home

[Souff]

Designer dog breeders ?

Oxygen thieves.
Morons.
Robbing good gene pools to create over-priced mongrels.

Need a non shedding, hypoallergenic dog?

get a Poodle
get a Lagotto
get a Portuguese Water Dog

Do NOT support pet shops and unregistered breeders who mix up the breeds purely for no better reason than to line their own pockets.

[Darkrai]

I have people wanting to breed dos and think they are going to make lots of $$$.Having worked in a petshop i havd one customer ask me that they where going into designer dog breeding and i said to them:

What are you intend on breeding

X poodles - ( i cannot remember which oodle she was intent on)

I asked why

She replyed well at rhe moment i can get over $800 ech

Then i said do you own both parents

she replyed yes

I said to her 'so after you have paid the vet their fees, mirco., vacc. and if anything goes wrong with the birth or after the puppies are born, you will lose much of the price of your puppies, therefore not making much money from the puppies"
and her reply to this was:

" well then i will not be taking my dog or my puppes to the vets then, so that will then make more money for myself"


As you can see some people who go into designer dogs (mongrels no matter who you dress them) are in it for the money.

Personally i am against them evebn though i have owned them, some have hidden problems that do not surface until older (PRD, HD) or they are sold with this condition esspecially with pups that have cateract at a young age and say that there eyes are a rare colour.

If designer dog breeders want to keep on breeding then they should have to register, like all other registered dog breeders "why should we have to pay to breed for quality when designer dog breeder who breed for quantity pay nothing for this).

If someone cannot have a dog because they are, allergic to dogs there are many pure breds out there already as mentioned by Souff, Poodle come in three sizes and can be suited to anyone's need.

Sorry this is so long and may have diversed alittle, but this is my thoughts on designer dogs.

Palane

[pesh]

Do what I do, stand outside the shop and point out to people, or say it loud enough so eveyone hears you, that the dog is sick, or isn't the breed they have said it is. Will receive a healthy, vaccinated etc etc etc etc from a breeder and get a quality bred pup that suites you, for much less usually.

Be loud be active.