It's become standard for anyone wanting a glamorous aura to pick out their
dogs like they pick out their shoes. "Ooh - I'll have that darling one in the
corner, great color - matches my handbag too!"
And they're easy to find - anyone with enough money can pick out the doglet
of their dreams.
Perhaps even scarier than the free availability of 'designer dogs' is the
fact that almost anyone can create a new breed of dog. The sudden increase in
dogs as fashion statements has meant that there are many unscrupulous breeders
trying to make a quick buck from expensive dogs with cute names.
Unfortunately there are so many risks with these kinds of breeding practices.
Anybody can mix any combination of dogs but few can master doing it in a way
that is good for the dogs, and the humans who live with them. It's about much
more than genetics. Why create a dog that is very likely to have a painful
future?
Imagine that your cute Yorki-poo puppy has a very expensive medical future
before them. Or try to imagine that this adorable Puggle that you've just
brought home might have to have his eyes popped back into their sockets at
regular intervals!
Amateur breeders are unleashing all kinds of dangerous conditions upon dogs
who are being bred to fit in with our lifestyles.
It can be argued that all dogs came to be as a result of interbreeding. Not
only are all purebreds a result of mixing but in fact every single dog today has
some history of crossbreeding in their past.
There is a well deserved stigma surrounding these new so called 'designer
mutts'.
Various Pug and Pekingese breeds have very sensitive eyes. Pugs are known to
have problematic eyes as are Pekingese. You could end up with a dog whose eyes
come out of their sockets. And fixing it could require expensive and painful
corrective surgery.
Sounds like something from a horror movie rather than a happy family dog!
What about the mixing of some larger dogs? It can be just as harmful if two
genetically inferior specimens are used. You could end up crossing dogs that are
plagued by hip dysplasia and land up with a crippled dog.
It's the lack of predictability that makes these dogs such a risk. You never
know what you are getting. And while the odds might be in your favor - nobody
can guarantee the health of your designer puppy.
The American Kennel Club is considering allowing some of the more established
breeds into the list of accepted and recognized breeds. But this process
requires some organization on the part of breeders.
In order to be officially recognized there needs to be evidence that the dogs
have at least a three generation pedigree. The dog must also be widely spread
across the United States - across at least 20 states.
Labradoodles are the most well known of the designer dog clubs. Labradoodles
are also at the forefront of acceptance into the American Kennel Club. There are
some breeders who have at least 15 generations of Labradoodles and claim they
can predict with great certainty the look and temperament of the dog. There is
much debate in the canine world about whether or not many of these new hybrids
will be
Only time will tell whether these dogs will be accepted into the mainstream.
Many people are enjoying the benefits of dogs designed to fit in a handbag or dogs designed to
live in small spaces.
It's important to remember that whatever you are looking for in a dog - you
are looking for in the puppy's parents too. With these expensive puppies you
might be shelling out allot of money for a great disappointment.
Check as much as you can about the mix you are most interested in. Rather
leave combinations that you can see might have similar weaknesses. Don't buy
puppies from people who seem to be more interested in your money than the
wellbeing of their puppies.
At the end of the day - good puppies come from good homes. Knowledge about
genetic disorders is as important as warmth and love when it comes to making
great pets.
Until designer dogs become more widely recognized - it's best to stick to the
more traditional mixes. At least you will know what you are getting.
If a purebred puppy doesn't really appeal to you - why not rather think about
buying an adult dog from a shelter. At least this way you can have a bit more
certainty about the dog’s temperament and looks.
At the end of the day your designer mutt might end up costing you more. If
your dog has some suspect heritage you will need many tests to screen for a
range of possible ailments. If your dog is your fashion accessory - you will be
able to enjoy the added advantage of all kinds of colorful accessories for you
little mutt.
Whatever you decide - giving them a happy home is more important above all
else no matter what may come your dog's way.
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Author Biography:
Steve Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders along with
his brother Gary. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston
Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu’s and
Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website
that showcases the puppies they occasionally has for sale at <a href="http://allmypuppiesonline.com">All My Puppies
Online</a> Steve is also the co-author of two consumer guides, <a
href="http://carpetsecrets.com">Carpet Secrets</a> and
<a href="http://movingsecretsguide.com">Moving Secrets
Guide</a>
