Why do people want designer dogs?

Snowy Celandine

Snowy Celandine

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Not sure if I have the right term there? I'm assuming that people either like two different breeds but can't pick just one and so go for an amalgam or that they simply like the look of the designer dog of their choosing more than any of the more established breeds? Nothing wrong with that as far as I can tell but I'm still wondering if there are any benefits to buying a dog that's a mixture of two pedigree breeds?

I know that what we used to call mongrels were often said to be healthier than pedigrees but is that true? And are the designer breeds healthier than their original pure breeds? I can't see how they can be but am ready to stand corrected :o I am thinking (possibly incorrectly) that the 'new' breeds are brought into existence by less experienced breeders but maybe that's not true either? Does anyone know the answers please :)
 
I think whether or not they're healthier depends on the breeds used for the cross and the health of the dogs used to breed. I have a cross breed, I suppose you could call her designer ( although I really don't think so, especially after she's rolled in fox poo!). She is a basset x springer. I love her to bits. Not as many issues as a basset re eyes and back but with the basset look I like. I just fell in love with the cross. She's got that lovely springer outlook on life ( mad as a box of frogs). She cost a fair amount, enough to make you think about it seriously ( I think all dogs should cost a lot, might make people who buy on a whim think twice). Saying that I also love Bassetts and springers in their original form, so for me it was just that I saw her and fell in love!
 
Mabelthefoal said:
I think whether or not they're healthier depends on the breeds used for the cross and the health of the dogs used to breed. I have a cross breed, I suppose you could call her designer ( although I really don't think so, especially after she's rolled in fox poo!). She is a basset x springer. I love her to bits. Not as many issues as a basset re eyes and back but with the basset look I like. I just fell in love with the cross. She's got that lovely springer outlook on life ( mad as a box of frogs). She cost a fair amount, enough to make you think about it seriously ( I think all dogs should cost a lot, might make people who buy on a whim think twice). Saying that I also love Bassetts and springers in their original form, so for me it was just that I saw her and fell in love!
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So is she a "Bringer"? I think we need to see a pic please :)

TFF, you non politically correct thing you :p
 
Off to work now but I'll pop one on later. She is a mongrel �� But so is my terrier and they are both lovely, except when rolling in aforementioned fox poo or eating horse poo. I also have a rescued bichon ( hubby found her as a stray and we adopted her from the rescue) so a very random selection of dogs! I love all breeds whether pedigree, cross, mongrel etc etc. As long as they are happy and healthy I really don't care what the breeding is.
 
Mabelthefoal said:
I would but I don't know how to post a picture ( hides head in shame). I'm new to this forum business! Tell me how
W and I'll put one on
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I'm no expert but I've managed it by putting photos into a PhotoBucket account and then getting the code from there. Hope you manage it because I want to see her :)
 
I am going to puppy classes at the moment with my Swissie - all the other pups are "designer" dogs ( mongrels in my day ) and they are seriously going to give their owners the run around ..... intelligent dogs being treated like babies/fashion accessories! No disrespect to any happy owners of these types of dog , just saying what I see at the classes.
 
Sprout said:
I am going to puppy classes at the moment with my Swissie - all the other pups are "designer" dogs ( mongrels in my day ) and they are seriously going to give their owners the run around ..... intelligent dogs being treated like babies/fashion accessories! No disrespect to any happy owners of these types of dog , just saying what I see at the classes.
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I get that accusation levelled at me too Sprout, because I have a Chihuahua but she is treated just like my other dogs. I wouldn't know a designer handbag if someone smacked me round the head with one and I'm not a brain dead bimbo who thinks my dogs are human babies I promise you :p
 
I think there's a lot of misinformation/poorly informed people choosing these dogs, some of whom don't know the difference between a pedigree and a designer crossbreed.

I met a chap the other day who proudly informed me that his dog was "a purebred labradoodle" *facepalm*
 
Snowy Celandine said:
I get that accusation levelled at me too Sprout, because I have a Chihuahua but she is treated just like my other dogs. I wouldn't know a designer handbag if someone smacked me round the head with one and I'm not a brain dead bimbo who thinks my dogs are human babies I promise you :p
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Not a brain dead bimbo? Hmm, not even a bimbo either :D

On another note, I find it quite funny (odd funny) when am walking my Shih, particularly when on my work lunch break. The amount of people that give me a withering-type look (work walks are in a rather posh-ish area) as they tootle past with their hybrid cross breed spangle-doodle-setter-fingy, or let their dogs bounce all over mine who is on a lead.

In the past when I had much larger dogs this was never the case at all, now I have a small dog (who is treated as a dog) its as if am inconsequential invisible person.
However, when I occasionally march tiny one off the yard & paddocks onto my most local common, most of the walkers have std dogs (not all, but v strong theme of labs,retrievers,collies etc) are lovely :)
 
smja said:
I think there's a lot of misinformation/poorly informed people choosing these dogs, some of whom don't know the difference between a pedigree and a designer crossbreed.

I met a chap the other day who proudly informed me that his dog was "a purebred labradoodle" *facepalm*
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Maybe the labradoodle will become an accepted breed over time though if some form of rules regarding their breeding is introduced? I suppose all dog breeds started somewhere? I don't think I'd want one for myself at present because there are so many sizes,shapes, temperaments of dogs to choose from that I don't feel the need for what might be poor combinations but they seem overwhelmingly popular from what I can gather and I am seriously wanting to know what advantage they have, or are perceived to have, over existing breeds?
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Not a brain dead bimbo? Hmm, not even a bimbo either :D

On another note, I find it quite funny (odd funny) when am walking my Shih, particularly with on my work lunch break. The amount of people that give me a withering-type look (work walks are in a rather posh-ish area) as they tootle past with their hybrid cross breed spangle-doodle-setter-fingy, or let their dogs bounce all over mine who is on a lead.

In the past when I had much larger dogs this was never the case at all, now I have a small dog (who is treated as a dog) its as if am inconsequential invisible person.
However, when I occasionally march tiny one off the yard & paddocks onto my most local common, most of the walkers have std dogs (not all, but v strong theme of labs,retrievers,collies etc) are lovely :)
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Nope, I never get any qualifications at all, not even my bimbo degree it seems :o I love your neologism spangle-doodle-setter-fingy. Where do I purchase one please? I'll have a look on Amazon.

I definitely get looked down on for having a tiny dog. The local gamekeeper can barely suppress a snigger when he sees me out walking but my dogs are never on leads, let alone riding along in handbags and are happy little souls just as your little girl looks to be. Size-ism I reckon!!
 
Designer dogs have come about as a response to a gap in the market for a family friendly, low allergy dog. Although I believe Labradoodles were initially an experiment when there was a need for a low shedding guide dog. The aim of breeders seem to be to produce a low maintenance, low shedding coat (hence the use of a poodle) with the friendly nature of the other popular breeds in the "poo" or "doodle" varieties - Labs, Cockers, Cavaliers etc.

I am sure there will be some responsible breeders who do health test both parents for their relevant issues but unfortunately the vast majority of these designer cross breeders seem to be in it purely for the money as no health tests are done or back up offered etc.

Of course producing any type of mixed breed dog is something of a gamble in terms of coat type, health and personality. Purely anecdotal, but the cockapoos in particular seem to be a real handful in terms of energy - which may be because the spaniel used in lots of these types is the working cocker.
 
Snowy Celandine said:
Maybe the labradoodle will become an accepted breed over time though if some form of rules regarding their breeding is introduced? I suppose all dog breeds started somewhere? I don't think I'd want one for myself at present because there are so many sizes,shapes, temperaments of dogs to choose from that I don't feel the need for what might be poor combinations but they seem overwhelmingly popular from what I can gather and I am seriously wanting to know what advantage they have, or are perceived to have, over existing breeds?
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Quite possibly, I wouldn't mind if it did. I've no feelings either way about pedigree vs designer crossbreed vs Heinz 57 mongrel, I would look at the dog in front of me.

What I do object to is people buying designer crossbreeds without having done their research and understanding what they're getting, or breeders selling them to completely novice owners without checking suitability.

The chap in question is a lovely man, but I genuinely had to explain to him that the other labradoodle in the park was not "only part-bred labradoodle" but was in fact just another lab x poodle who looked completely different.

Similarly, my uncle asked my mum how big his cockapoo was going to grow. He was gobsmacked when she asked how big its parents were - "are they not all the same size?"
 
Thanks WGSD :) I'd forgotten that poodles were meant to be good for people with allergies. I wonder if it works and people who couldn't have other dogs end up being able to have these?
 
smja said:
Quite possibly, I wouldn't mind if it did. I've no feelings either way about pedigree vs designer crossbreed vs Heinz 57 mongrel, I would look at the dog in front of me.

What I do object to is people buying designer crossbreeds without having done their research and understanding what they're getting, or breeders selling them to completely novice owners without checking suitability.

The chap in question is a lovely man, but I genuinely had to explain to him that the other labradoodle in the park was not "only part-bred labradoodle" but was in fact just another lab x poodle who looked completely different.

Similarly, my uncle asked my mum how big his cockapoo was going to grow. He was gobsmacked when she asked how big its parents were - "are they not all the same size?"
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smja, I wouldn't mind if new breeds were 'invented' either if people are going to breed them properly with regard to health and temperament :)

As for breeders checking the 'credentials' of prospective owners - I'm not as sure on that front. In an ideal world only good, responsible breeders and owners would exist but who'd police that? It does break your heart to see shelters full of abandoned animals obviously and I feel incandescent with rage at their former owners when I find out their sad histories sometimes.
 
Daisy is lab x gsp and was bought by the MIL with the idea that she'd be a slighter, marginally more energetic lab that'd be less prone to hip dysplasia etc. Unfortunately she had very little understanding of gsp temperament (always had labradors previously) and ended up with a dog with the brains (or lack thereof ;) ) and speed of a gsp with a Labrador coat. No idea if the parents were health tested etc so what her future health will be like - who knows! The one thing I would say is that to my (untrained) eye she has fabulous confirmation and in the right hands would have been an incredible working dog so if someone was looking to refine the Labrador a bit then adding in a bit of gsp blood wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea - a bit like they did when creating the original ISH.
 
vallin said:
Daisy is lab x gsp and was bought by the MIL with the idea that she'd be a slighter, marginally more energetic lab that'd be less prone to hip dysplasia etc. Unfortunately she had very little understanding of gsp temperament (always had labradors previously) and ended up with a dog with the brains (or lack thereof ;) ) and speed of a gsp with a Labrador coat. No idea if the parents were health tested etc so what her future health will be like - who knows! The one thing I would say is that to my (untrained) eye she has fabulous confirmation and in the right hands would have been an incredible working dog so if someone was looking to refine the Labrador a bit then adding in a bit of gsp blood wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea - a bit like they did when creating the original ISH.
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She sounds lovely vallin but please excuse my ignorance - what's a gsp?
 
A girl I work with has a schnauzer x poodle, she was telling me the other day how ross she gets that noone ever gets the breed right. I said 'Well, he isn't a breed, is he?' but apparently he is...Gets me! Have to say though he is a cracking little dog but as he is a baby substitute they are having problems already.
 
I fear that designer dogs with stupid names and massive price tags are often bred by those with their eyes on their bank balance and rarely for the benefit of the breed(s). The price tags are ridiculous. I could get a health tested springer for £650, but a designer 'sproodle' might cost me nearer a grand. A poodle parent doesn't necessarily guarantee a non-shedding pup.

It's a trend, isn't it, to have a designer dog. French Bulldogs will outnumber Labradors as the most registered breed in the UK shortly, apparently. From year to year, the 'popular' breed changes. There are currently pictures galore of corgi puppies on Facebook, I expect they will be very popular soon, having not been common since I was a child. Huskies were the dog of choice for many recently, there are loads round my way, along with chi/pug crosses. Used to be staffies round here, now it's mastiff types/crosses and Dalmatians, oddly.
 
Oh and I were having a discussion the other day about why more people don't buy ready trained dogs - being novice dog owners I'd much prefer to buy one with walking to heel and recall already well established but the closest I could find (not that we're actually looking to buy) is personal protection type dogs.
 
WorkingGSD said:
Designer dogs have come about as a response to a gap in the market for a family friendly, low allergy dog. Although I believe Labradoodles were initially an experiment when there was a need for a low shedding guide dog. The aim of breeders seem to be to produce a low maintenance, low shedding coat (hence the use of a poodle) with the friendly nature of the other popular breeds in the "poo" or "doodle" varieties - Labs, Cockers, Cavaliers etc.

I am sure there will be some responsible breeders who do health test both parents for their relevant issues but unfortunately the vast majority of these designer cross breeders seem to be in it purely for the money as no health tests are done or back up offered etc.

Of course producing any type of mixed breed dog is something of a gamble in terms of coat type, health and personality. Purely anecdotal, but the cockapoos in particular seem to be a real handful in terms of energy - which may be because the spaniel used in lots of these types is the working cocker.
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The bloke who "created" labradoodles regrets it and wishes he hadnt.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/a...eding-Frankenstein-versions-designer-dog.html
 
They have always existed...I've had quite a few lovely poodle crosses.

The problems started when someone gave them a name other than 'mongrel'.
 
Corgis are lovely little dogs, at least they can breathe.
As for having dogs that are 6 months old with the basics installed, there is a man in Herts (I think) who does just that, they are expensive, but much easier. His are labradors.
 
vallin said:
Oh and I were having a discussion the other day about why more people don't buy ready trained dogs - being novice dog owners I'd much prefer to buy one with walking to heel and recall already well established but the closest I could find (not that we're actually looking to buy) is personal protection type dogs.
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there are a couple of gun dog trainers up here (Scotland). There are also some that advertise on pets4homes-have no idea what they are like but they are called WKD dogs or something-mostly gun dogs and GSD. You pay a lot more (comparatively) for a partly trained dog than a partly trained horse which is probably a good thing.
 
I met a dog the other day who was a labradoodle x collie. He was lovely! The guy bought him from a farm, I didn't ask for how much lol. He looked like the kind of wiry scruffy dogs they use in adverts, like the dogs trust one atm (but in black).

I don't think paying a lot for a dog guarantees a sensible owner, I know enough people with more money than sense. Buying trained dogs is a great idea, I know a guy who's on his second golf trained labrador, which I find hilarious, costs a fortune!

Most poodle crosses I've met have been very ott dogs jumping all over, but I suspect this is because the ones I've met are all child substitutes and not treated as dogs.
 
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