Are you a ‘cross breed snob’?

[Ambers Echo]

an awful lot I see seem to be 'pet' breeders, ie they happen to own a male and female of the same breed so..

They then use the 'parents are our own pets' as reasons to not have any health testing.

Daisy came from a 'pet' breeder I guess in that the family who bred her owned the poodle. But they still did it well I think. They chose a dog carefully, both parents were health tested, we were allowed to meet both parents and Daisy was well socialised in a family home for her first 8 weeks. And unless prices have gone silly in the 6 years since we have had her, she did not cost that much either. A lot less than my mum's pure-bred lab who is the same age.

She looks absolutely nothing like a labradoodle though. Most people think she is a flat coat.

 

[{97702}]

it doesn though, it just means that you are lucky and they are less so. I've known pedigrees go on for a long time and some that don't, I've known mutts that do and don't-it goes back to the breeder and them knowing their lines and their dogs and then a myriad of other variables from conception onwards.

Agree totally MoC - my mums ‘so unhealthy, they come with endless genetic health problems, oh don’t go there it is too risky’ cavaliers will go on to 14 years old regularly 😊

 

[Widgeon]

I have no snobbery towards cross breeds but I do object to the bull**** that is spoken about them (hybrid vigour anyone?!) and also the way they are churned out by unscrupulous breeders at ridiculously inflated prices. Personally for me a ‘poo dog’ is not my cup of tea, but then greyhounds aren’t for a lot of people too so it’s just personal taste

I think I'm with you on this - nothing inherently wrong with crossbreeds (in fact sometimes quite the opposite as posts above have stated) but I do object to the unscrupulous breeding, ridiculous prices, and anyone who wants a thingy-poo because they're currently in fashion. Personally I would probably always go for either an older dog, mongrel or not, that has been healthy to date, or a pure-bred puppy whose breeder's intentions and ability I have confidence in.

(Obviously there are honest and genuine -poo breeders out there - please don't think I am tarring everyone with the same brush!)

 

[ester]

Daisy came from a 'pet' breeder I guess in that the family who bred her owned the poodle. But they still did it well I think. They chose a dog carefully, both parents were health tested, we were allowed to meet both parents and Daisy was well socialised in a family home for her first 8 weeks. And unless prices have gone silly in the 6 years since we have had her, she did not cost that much either. A lot less than my mum's pure-bred lab who is the same age.

She looks absolutely nothing like a labradoodle though. Most people think she is a flat coat.

Yes it’s the ones that aren’t choosing a dog I meant, where they are both family pets so are therefore the perfect match apparently

 

[Ambers Echo]

I can't imagine trying to live with non neutered dogs and non spayed bitches in the same house! Is that not rather trying at times!! But I have little experience of having dogs. I have only ever had 1 at a time and they are always spayed young.

 

[skinnydipper]

I will restrict my comments to dogs.

Having owned and loved dogs of indeterminate parentage I could never be described as a dog snob.

I had a mutt with numerous health issues including grand mal epilepsy and multiple allergies. I won't bore you with all of her health problems. She dispelled any myths regarding hybrid vigour.

I have a GSD with multiple health problems. My previous GSD died age 7 from autoimmune disease.

I think it is healthy dogs of good temperament we should be striving for and not breeding something because it looks cute or will make someone a ton of money.

I cannot understand this obsession with polluting the gene pool with all things "poo". I started to look at the variety of breeds crossed with poodles and lost the will to continue at 21.

The genie is well and truly out of the bottle.

I am incredulous that anyone would pay £2000 - £3000 for a mongrel or for any dog come to that.

Post 27 by CorvusCorax is excellent.

 

[Ambers Echo]

I am incredulous that anyone would pay £2000 - £3000 for a mongrel or for any dog come to that.

Is this a typo!!! That is insane.

 

[skinnydipper]

Is this a typo!!! That is insane.

Sadly not. I have posted before about the man who lives locally who bought an Australian Labradoodle* from Wales (!!). He paid £2000 (two thousand) It was neutered as a pup prior to adoption to prevent anyone else making money. At that time I checked on the website and have again checked this morning, they are selling puppies starting at £2000, and £3000 for one partly trained (in what I don't know).

* It was the Australian and Wales that tickled me.

 

[HEM]

I don't think I would describe myself as a dog snob. I know many a poo variation and they are all lovely, some a little bonkers but still lovely and sweet!

I agree paying £2k + for any dog is madness! As long at the dog is healthy/happy and you are happy that's all that really matters!

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Is this a typo!!! That is insane.

Nope, my step daughter brought her cockerpoo for 2,300 as a pup,(now 5) he's the most driven little dog, yaps and barks, sheds coat and despite them taking him to training clinics on my advice, he really needs a more active home than he has. Ridiculous amount of money imho.

 

[kimberleigh]

I have purebred, registered dogs
I have purebred, unregistered dogs
I have mixes/crossbreeds

None are "better" than their counterparts as they are all dogs and I wouldn't have one that didn't come up to my standards of what I want in a pet/companion/working dog.

Crossbreeds can be just as likely to suffer health issues as purebred dogs and purebred dogs can be a widely different as crossbreeds!

To me, if you like it and it works well as part of your life then that is what counts.

Would I pay ridiculous sums of money purely for faddy "designer" dogs? No. Trends dont interest me.

Would I pay ridiculous sums of money for a well thought out cross/mix? Yes. But only if the dog was specifically what I wanted!

I do own a "cockapoo" and she is wild - not a suitable sit on the couch house pet. She needs to work and has almost no off switch, fine for my lifestyle but I can imagine had she gone to someone expectinga sweet fluffy lap dog, she would've found herself quickly needing a new home. 22" tall, 18kg ball of fire she is and I love her! Edited to add that I paid very little for her

 

[SadKen]

I am not a breed snob. I am a health test snob. A lot of the mixed breeds don't seem to have any relevant health tests and rely on the myth of hybrid vigour. I do look down on that because breeding should be done to the best of our ability, and health tests are part of that.

A dog is bred to do a job, and the poos are being bred because the 'job' is family pet. I wouldn't have one personally.

A friend in work showed me a photo of his mum's Cav x Cocker though... oh my word. Him I would have!

 

[pippixox]

Fashionable crosses just seem to be a way to fleece people for a lot of money. The dog may look nice, may even be nice, but it’s still not any reason why they should be worth sometimes more than a pedigree with health tests! Plus as they are not a breed I do think their temperament can be more varied (I know breed doesn’t garuntee temprament but I have a lab and collie and they both have traits typical to breed!)

Again as some have mentioned, poodle crosses are not garunteed to be hypoallergenic

I get more irritated by people who buy a certain breed for a look, not for the personality. My mum in law liked the look of Shetland sheep dogs so she got two puppies! Now a year old, hyper and poorly trained, as don’t even get a walk everyday. She got them as they look pretty! I hit my head against a wall!
My sister in law then got a Samoyed puppy as she has always liked how they look. She is now being sensible and has bothered to train it and stimulate her. As they are not exactly lap dogs, they apparently were sled dog.

And don’t get me started on French bulldogs popularity

Also seen a few ‘jugs’: I hope it helps the pug breathing, but can’t imagine a jack Russel personality and a pug body mix

 

[Clodagh]

Sadly not. I have posted before about the man who lives locally who bought an Australian Labradoodle* from Wales (!!). He paid £2000 (two thousand) It was neutered as a pup prior to adoption to prevent anyone else making money. At that time I checked on the website and have again checked this morning, they are selling puppies starting at £2000, and £3000 for one partly trained (in what I don't know).

* It was the Australian and Wales that tickled me.

Friends of ours have an Australian labradoodle. I am not sure in what way being an Aussie poo is better than a pommie poo?

 

[Clodagh]

I can't imagine trying to live with non neutered dogs and non spayed bitches in the same house! Is that not rather trying at times!! But I have little experience of having dogs. I have only ever had 1 at a time and they are always spayed young.

We always used to have both, and noone ever got pregnant! It just requires a bit of organisation at certain times.

 

[splashgirl45]

just had a look on preloved to see what poo crosses are on there and saw french bulldog puppies advertised for £5000!!!!!
i cant imagine ever paying that sort of money even if i liked the breed....

 

[Clodagh]

just had a look on preloved to see what poo crosses are on there and saw french bulldog puppies advertised for £5000!!!!!
i cant imagine ever paying that sort of money even if i liked the breed....

At least if you afford that sort of purchase price you can probalby afford the vets bills too? Or you could have a litter and soon recoup it.

 

[Art Nouveau]

Friends of ours have an Australian labradoodle. I am not sure in what way being an Aussie poo is better than a pommie poo?

I know people who breed Australian labradoodles and get £2k per puppy. I believe the Australian labradoodle was purpose bred to be a hypoallergenic therapy dog or guide dog, there is a breed standard everyone should be working to and it's several generations down the line from the first Labrador Poodle crosses. I still wouldn't pay that much, but if I needed a hypoallergenic trainable dog that's where I'd look. My sister has a standard poodle and he is lovely but just doesn't have the trainability of a typical Labrador so he wouldn't be an easy family dog.

 

[Clodagh]

I know people who breed Australian labradoodles and get £2k per puppy. I believe the Australian labradoodle was purpose bred to be a hypoallergenic therapy dog or guide dog, there is a breed standard everyone should be working to and it's several generations down the line from the first Labrador Poodle crosses. I still wouldn't pay that much, but if I needed a hypoallergenic trainable dog that's where I'd look. My sister has a standard poodle and he is lovely but just doesn't have the trainability of a typical Labrador so he wouldn't be an easy family dog.

Well good luck to them anyway, I see nothing immoral is asking stupid prices if people are gullible enough to pay them.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Even the guy who 'invented' the Labradoodle is on record as saying it's all gone mental and this wasn't ever his intention.....

 

[Annette4]

As others have said, I don’t really care if they are breed with the same ethos and approach as any other in terms of health testing, temprament and confirmation assessment/consideration etc but I have never seen an advert for a ‘poo’ which gives any indication that is what’s happening. I don’t see anything that indicates anything but £££ in mind.

 

[EventingMum]

I am definitely not a crossbred snob - we have JRTs, which come in all shapes and sizes, and a black and tan Heinz terrier, however, they weren't sold as anything fancy. In the past we've had rescues from the SSPCA, my only stipulation is that we have got them as pups, the oldest being 4 months old as I think a lot end up being up for adoption because they have issues due to their unsuitable backgrounds.

I am astounded at the cost of some crossbreds, locally there is a Labradoodle kennel which sells (including export to USA and other countries) for extortionate amounts - different hybrid generations cost different amounts with some seemingly being guaranteed not to shed at all. The business appears profitable and supports the family with a nice lifestyle. All the puppies are neutered before being sold, so at a very young age, with the exception of the best bitches which are offered at a reduced price and return to the breeder for two litters before being neutered and going back to the purchaser permanently - this is seemingly to protect the bloodlines.

 

[skinnydipper]

"All the puppies are neutered before being sold, so at a very young age"

The Australian Labradoodle puppy from Wales that I referred to had also been neutered before going to his new owner.

I don't want to derail this thread but I think it should be illegal to neuter puppies.

Edit. My view is that it is more to protect profits than blood lines.

 

[Blazingsaddles]

Imo, cross breeds tend to be healthier. 30 years of owning lurchers & longdogs and never any serious issues. I’m more worried about the interbreeding/small gene pools of pedigree dogs. The only pedigree KC reg dogs I’ve ever owned are BTs - & you couldn’t get a more physically different pair.

 

[Blazingsaddles]

Also, my dogs could do the job they were bred to do (even if it gave me no pleasure) - no dodgy hips, eyes, skin complaints, aggression, stomach issues.

 

[SadKen]

"All the puppies are neutered before being sold, so at a very young age"

The Australian Labradoodle puppy from Wales that I referred to had also been neutered before going to his new owner.

I don't want to derail this thread but I think it should be illegal to neuter puppies.

Edit. My view is that it is more to protect profits than blood lines.

Absolutely right.

This can be achieved via endorsement when it's a registered breed. Neutering pups is just plain wrong IMO.

 

[Nicnac]

My name is Nicnac and I am a pedigree dog snob. Personal choice. No problem with mongrels/crosses but have an issue with the ridiculous names they are given and the ridiculously high prices commandeered for what is a basically a mongrel with no thought to the health of the dog and a focus on the 'breeder's' profit margin.

 

[DabDab]

No, I'm not really a pure bred dog snob - if people like a mix breed then that's up to them. Having said that, if someone close to me was going out to buy a very expensive doodle poo thing, I would struggle not to raise an eyebrow and ask slightly leading questions

When it comes to horses on the other hand, I actively seek out the interesting first generation mixes. Why? Well because I can pick up nice young horses for a fraction of the cost of their purebred makeup and I find it fascinating seeing how they develop. It's that addictive fascination with the diamond in the rough I suppose

 

[ApolloStorm]

Im sorely tempted by a cockerpoo or something of a similar size when we are looking for our next dog as we want something just a tad smaller than a springer. However, I dont think I will be able to bring myself to pay the extremely high price people seem to want for what is essentially a cross breed. I have no issue with crossbreeds, what I have an issue with is people who seem to breed in order to come up with a witty name and then stick a huge price tag on it so they can say its a cocker doodle doo or somesuch!!

Try a Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier. There is one at our ring craft class and he's the most friendly dog, in a different hair cut he would look just like a cockapoo!

I don't consider myself a dog "snob", I think crossbreeds with a working purpose ( lurchers, terriers etc) are a great idea, especially when it comes to the likes or working sheepdogs, which " heath tests" are that the dog has worked for plenty of years soundly! I take massive issue with people spending stupid money on a cross because its got a cutesy name and they think its the perfect family dogs/doesnt shed and that rubbish. When there are more uncommon breeds out there which would suit them down to the ground. But I also take issue with the trend for KC french bulldogs in fancy (unrecognised) colours and selling them as "rare" for extra ££££.

 

[Schollym]

Tell me about it. I have a Labradoodle on the basis that my sister in law is severely allergic to dog fur so a 'non shedding' dog was a better option for us. Ha bl00dy ha. I have NEVER known a dog shed so much. As a dog though she is awesome. Incredibly well behaved. Combines the intelligence of a poodle with the trainability of a lab. And the friendliest, happiest dog I've ever known. She's 6 now and as playful as ever. I have 2 friends with timid dogs and Daisy is the only dog their dogs play with.

We adopted a labradoodle at the age of one, the hair shedding equalled the labs just black and curly! A lovely dog very intelligent and a keen hunter. She didn’t appear to have an understanding of training so my daughter took her to classes. The dog instantly recognised what was expected followed all the commands first time, she had been taking the mickey!