Designer Dogs?

Question

As a breeder of PUREBRED AKC registered dogs I detest the unethical breeders who breed the so called "designer dogs" which is just fancy speak for a mutt. Not that I hate the dogs themselves or think they are ugly (well some are but it's not their fault) just the fact that some breeders of the so called designer dogs will take 2 purebred dogs and mate them to produce mutts! Then they slap crazy prices on them and some people are stupid enough to actually buy one when they can get the same mutt from an animal shelter who needs a home. INstead of purposely breeding to get the mutts if they love the mixed breed so well they should try to place those in the animal shelters in homes instead of creating more mixed breeds. Then there is the so called registeries that will register the dogs are purebred---that's why I stick with AKC; you won't find Puggles; Peek-a-Poos; Labradoodles; etc in there!

What is your take on these designer dogs?

Joleeo; I breed Cocker Spaniels and German Shepherds. No I don't have a problem marketing them and most are sold before I ever breed them. Especially my German Shepherds since they are German Imports with World Seigers in their lineage; most are sold to police depts. to be K9 dogs.

Breeding is my hobby; not my profession. I worked part time as a vet assistant and am now working as a dog groomer. The reason I have such a strong opinion is while working for the vet I saw so many of these "designer dogs" come in with so many health problems stemming from breeding 2 poor quality dogs to begin with; and now while working at the groomers you wouldn't believe the "designer dogs" that come in with HORRIBLE coats that mainly neither match EITHER breed that they come from; they are either too large to look right with one cut; or two disproportianate to do a correct cut for either of their breeds on them.

Ran out of room so I had to start another comment lol;

my other strong opinion comes from volunteering at the animal sheleter and working with a dog rescue organization. We have so many of these mixed breeds that already need a home for someone to purposely breed a mutt; not to mention that slews of these "designer dogs" are ending back up at the shelters.

Help~~~~Yes Affenpinscher & Brussel Griffon (while not my choice of breeds--don't really care for either one of them) are good breeds. Since you have great championship bloodlines & have AKC registered dogs; why ruin your bloodlines by mixing them?

No matter what you want to call it be it Hybrid or Designer the truth of the matter is that it IS a MIXED breed.

Before I started breeding I had many "designer dogs" like Akita/German Shepherd mixes; Border Collie/Rottie mixes; & who knows what some of them I adopted where.

True just owning AKC dogs doesn't make better breeders but breeding to AKC's standards does; as does the fact that I offer written health guarantees; health testing on all my dogs & no not just vet checks; I mean hips certified; eyes checked; etc.

Answer 1

I completely agree with you. Breeders like you breed for the betterment of the breed. Backyard breeders just breed for financial gain - its a pity. It seems to me that no responsible breeder would mix two purebreeds, and if they are that irresponsible, then who knows what the genetic backgrounds are of the two? That's why owners of these dogs might surrender them to humane societies, because of health and behavioral problems due to poor breeding. If you have a designer dog, and you love it, great, but do the right thing and take care of it when problems arise.

Answer 2

I agree 100%. I think people that pay so much for a mixed breed are nuts. I actually know someone that spent $2000 on a labradoodle. I tried to talk him out of it but he was unmoved in any reason I gave him. He claimed he really liked labs but he was allergic to dogs and the "breeder" assured him that he would not have problems with this dog. Well 1 year later he ended up dropping his expensive mutt off at the pound because of his allergies. He did talk to the "breeder" before he dumped the dog and she told him that she has never heard of these dogs causing allergy problems and she doesn't take dogs back for buyer remorse. So another mixed breed mutt in the pound the only difference in this dog is it was a really expensive mutt, oops, I mean designer dog. As long as people continue with their ignorance there will be others that will make profit.
I also wish that people would realize that these dogs are not smarter or heathier than the pure breeds. They have at best a 50/50 chance of being healthy because most pure bred animals used for these so called designer breed are of poor quality.

Answer 3

I think they're cute, but I agree that the prices are insane, for a mixed breed dog. I, personally, would rather adopt a mixed breed from the shelter, and maybe never know the breeds involved.....than pay hundreds of dollars, for a mixed breed dog with purebred parents.

Answer 4

I had to laugh, someone emailed me and called me a snob because I said that puggles are mutts.

As far as I'm concerned, it's the people who insist on calling them "designer dogs" and giving them fancy names who are the snobs. Aren't mutts good enough? Why pretend they're something else? Are you ashamed of owning a mutt? I raise purebreds now, but I've owned mutts and I've never been ashamed of any of them.

Answer 5

I agree with you.

I have a friend who just got a puggle puppy. Although the puppy is cute he does not have papers and she spent a significant amount of money on him.

A mutt is a mutt.

We laugh because technically our two mutts are designer dogs. Apparently our Lab/Pointer mix that we got for free is a "Pointing Lab" and our Jack Russell/Beagle mix is a "Jack-a-Bea". LOL! They're our beloved family mutts. They get all the love in the world from us. They don't need fancy names to make us love them.

Answer 6

I have one of these "designer dogs" a Bichonpoo and she is the best dog I ever owned. My decision to buy this dog was because NONE of the shelters in my area had small dogs NONE of the rescues had puppies. I have Multiple Sclerosis and this dog has become a perfect companion so in-tuned to my needs and limitations. She is very healthy, mellow, very smart, easily trainable. The breeder is very careful about the designer dogs he breeds as far as health issues and offers a lifetime guarantee. Had the shelters offered small breed puppies for adoption I would have considered adoption. However, from a shelter you do not know how large a dog will be or the parents temperament. I really feel I made the best decision for me given my circumstances. NONE of you naysayers are going to make me feel guilty for my decision.

Answer 7

Oh well I guess that is why God made us all different.All mixed breeds aren't your so called Mutts.I'm a breeder and I do breed the Affenpinscher and the Brussel Griffon to produce what All call the Hybrid breed.As you probably already know both of the breeds are very high in cost and are known to be highly intelligent.The Hybrid in this breed sells for less than the full blood,but are identical.all my pets are from Champion bloodlines,and I consider myself to be a responsible breeder.We are all so glad you stick to the A.K.C. dogs,but just because you do that doesn't mean you're a responsible breeder.This is my take on the Hybrid breeds,as I happen to love them very much and take great pride in breedeing such,as this is your next generation of pets,and they are certinally not known as Mutts.

Answer 8

Well said. I couldn't agree with you more.

My own one of a kind, "Designer"Ausssie mix came from the Humane Society :-)

Answer 9

I think it's great that you have an opinion that is dedicated to your profession of breeding. Don't you think the market is what it is just like fashion? Labs were the dog to have the last couple years. Now the designer dogs, but only for certain people just like any other purchasable thing. What breed do you sell? Are you having trouble marketing your breed? I'm just wondering where your strong opinion is coming from.
thanks

Answer 10

Bravo! Well said!