While animal shelters and rescue organizations are brimming with mixed breed dogs in need of loving homes, many prospective dog owners prefer to shop for a particular dog breed simply for the familiarity of the breed ’s physical characteristics and personality traits. Designer dogs have become increasingly popular for those who seek to enjoy the best of both worlds that result from hybrid breeding.
Demystifying the Designer dogs
The terms designer breeds and hybrid breeds are used interchangeably, and differ from mixed breeds that are also lovingly known as mutts. A mixed breed is the resulting offspring of any two dogs of differing breeds. The parents are usually of unknown origin and the offspring may contain a number of traits from various breeds. Hybrid breeds are produced in a controlled breeding environment in which each parent is a different purebred dog. For example, if we breed a purebred Labrador Retriever with a purebred Poodle, the result is a hybrid. We know exactly who the parents are and we know that the offspring will take on characteristics distinct to those two particular breeds.
Oodles of Doodles! The Poodle is one of the most desired choices for producing designer breeds, both for the breed’s keen intellect and for a coat that may be more hypoallergenic to some individuals than that of other breeds.
Labradoodles Labradoodles are the result of Labrador Retriever and Poodle parentage and the Goldendoodle has a Golden Retriever for one parent and a Poodle for the other. Both of these hybrid breeds possess the aforementioned traits of the Poodle in combination with the playful, energetic and family-friendly qualities of the Retrievers.
Other popular Doodles include the Schnoodle, a cross between a Schnauzerand a Poodle. Because purebred Schnauzers and Poodles both come in varying sizes, from Miniature to Standard to Giant Schnauzer, be sure to research which variety was bred in order to have some idea of what size your Schnoodle will likely be.
Aussiedoodles are the supremely intelligent result of an Australian Shepherd and a Poodle. The brainpower of both of these breeds, combined with the high energy level of the Australian Shepherd, produces a fun pet that requires plenty of interaction, energy release and mental stimulation.
Buggs, Puggles and Chugs, Oh My! Pugs remain a favorite in the small dog world. To that end, breeders have come up with the Pug and Beagle combination known as the Puggle. Chugs are the blend of a Chihuahua and Pug. Buggs are the Boston Terrier and Pug combination.
Yorkie Crew The most popular purebred among the toy dogs remains the Yorkshire Terrier, thus prompting the arrival of the Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle crossed Yorkipoo. Morkiesare the hydrid breeding result of the Maltese and the Yorkshire Terrier.
There are dozens of designer breeds available to choose from. It is important to remember that there are no guarantees that dictate how much of each breed ’s quality is going to be present in their offspring. Just like any dog, however, these designer dogs will offer your family years of unconditional love and companionship.