Designer Breeds - Will You Remember Me?

Designer dogs have been around for many decades already. A once underground movement towards better breeds is becoming big business for those willing to experiment with the creation of designer mix breed dogs.

The designer dog club is spear headed by increasing numbers of celebrities and famous people are bringing their dogs into the limelight. And the picture is becoming increasingly bizarre.

You have most likely heard about the Labradoodle, Puggle or the Maltipoo. The variations that breeders are coming up with are increasingly strange. Ever wondered what a Shih Tzu and a Pomeranian would look like crossed? Your little Shih Pom would undoubtedly be tiny, cute and a loving companion – but what about all the various health risks that will become exaggerated with a cross such as this?

The experimentation doesn't seem to have any limits either.

What about a Puggle, Cock a Poo or Peke a Poo? Sound cute and adorable right? Shorkies, Pugaliers, Puggles, Schnoodles and English Boodles. Starting to sound like a bizarre nursery rhyme?

It's unfortunately much more than a cute collection of ideas about dog breeding. It's becoming an increasing problem as pseudo registries and organizations start taking the place of the widely recognized and respected more established club.

Unfortunately these fashionable dogs are all too often the result of exploitative breeding for profit.

People who buy these designer dogs are often told it’s unique. Many of these dogs have a genetic make-up that cannot be reproduced again. You can be guaranteed that your dog is unique, so unique that he probably won't even resemble his parents or litter mates.

And the wide range of health problems he might experience later in life will also be unique. Your Veterinarian won't have any prior list to consult when trying to diagnose your dog. Canine Medicine is tricky enough without adding the mix-breed wild card. If you buy a dog from an established breeding line you can be assured that your vet will have a long list of possible diseases that are common in the breed.

If you own a designer dog you cannot be certain of any of the kinds of qualities that he will grow up with. This can be likened to Russian roulette with dogs. One bad gene somewhere along the line your dog might have picked up some aggression or equally feared qualities.

If you have your heart set on a mixed breed dog then consider getting one at your local humane shelter; in reality you would be getting the same exact thing for a low few.  Many of the fashionable mixes are now in pounds and shelters.

Unfortunately with mixed breed dogs you can never tell what kinds of health or behavioral problems might surface later in life. You can make an educated guess as to what kinds of disorders your dog is genetically predisposed to. By looking at the most common ailments of each of the parents you might be able to work out what kinds of illnesses your dog is likely to get.

Designer dogs are becoming more and more popular. One only needs to look at the amount of media attention these dogs are getting lately.

Dogs have been subject to various fashions throughout the ages. It is almost certain that many of the changes are going to make a difference to dogs as we know them today.

Who knows maybe one day nobody will even remember where the Puggle came from!

By Steve Allison

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 All My Puppies Online Steve is also the co-author of two consumer guides, Carpet Secrets and Moving Secrets Guide
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