how do you feel about "designer" dogs?

Question

I know that this has been on here before, but I have to raise the question again to see some different answers. It's not that I'm against cross-breeding, etc. - I've owned both shelter dogs/mixes and pedigrees, and I think that either can be the best companions. I feel that genetically engineered dogs with "designer" names are a scam to get more money for "mutts." I have a Pit Bull/Schnauzer mix... could I breed her with another and call her a Schnitt Bull, or perhaps a Bull Schnitt, and push for the AKC to register the breed to make money?

No flames please... just my opinion. How do you all feel about it?

Just to clarify - my pup has been spayed since she was 9 weeks old - I couldn't leave the shelter with her unless she was (or it would have been done, just not so early). I, by no means, am intending to breed her as a "designer dog" - it was just a sarcastic example.

And with my saying that I'm not against cross-breeding - I just mean that I'm not a pedigree snob... I'm a "dog-lover" and to me that means that I'll love a mutt and a pedigree all the same!

Answer 1

Ha-ha! Funny you should bring this up... because of a previous answer to a question, I am currently being harrased through my e-mail by a 'breeder' of Puggles who refuses to understand WHY he is a backyard breeder/scammer. He doesn't want to see why him purposely breeding mixed dogs to sell for profit (as he is not improving or establishing a 'new' breed, or Cockapoos would have been accepted by the AKC in the past 40 years sometime by now) is wrong, that it takes homes away from mixed breed shelter dogs & therefore causes them to be euthanized, and that mixed breeds are not genetically superior or healthier than purebreds (he thinks that his pups, because they are mixed, are automatically 'healthy', so the parents wouldn't need to be OFA or CERF certified - that theory is a myth. There would be dominant genes in even the most mixed population of dogs, and you would still have hip dysplasia, etc. IF no one screened & removed dogs with these genes from the breeding population). He is smug in his belief that what he is doing is ok, because he says he 'is giving the public what it wants' ... which, based on his 'feelings' & not the hard facts stated above, would make it ok to sell crack on the street because 'people want it'? Uh, yeah.

Answer 2

To me they are over-priced mixed breeds but at the same time I know people that own them and are very pleased. Just like I am very pleased with my three rescued mixed breed dogs that I got from shelters. I paid a lot less for mine and they have been an endless source of pleasure. They are my fur children.
lol on mix names. I liked the "Bull Schnitt".

Answer 3

I own a "designer dog" a Bichonpoo and she is the best dog I have ever owned. I didn't want a purebred because of genetic defects. I checked shelters but they didn't have small dogs, and there was no way to guarantee puppies at shelters would be small dogs. I did a lot of research and checked a lot of breeders before deciding on the dog I ultimately bought. I made sure it was not a puppy mill puppy, that it was healthy that it had health guarantees, etc. She is the smartest, most well behaved, easily trainable dog. She brings such joy and pleasure to my life. I wouldn't trade 10 purebred dogs for this 1 designer dog. So people can put down my decision all they want I know I made the best decision FOR ME. I don't regret it for one minute.

Answer 4

I say, if you want a mutt go to the shelter and save one! You could make up the ridiculous name to go with it if it makes you feel better.
I respect people that want purebred dogs, but I also see so many homeless 'Mutts' that are truly wonderful dogs that deserve to be adopted into a good home.
Intentionally breeding mixed dogs to come up with these 'designer' breeds keeps homeless mixed-breeds at the shelter from being adopted.

Answer 5

I think a mutt is a mutt no matter the genetic mix. When people get tired of paying top dollar for a mutt then the fad will be gone.
You can get a very nice, playful mutt at your local animal shelter and save a life instead of encouraging the " designer " breeders to continue to scam people for top dollar.

Mutts make great pets but they don't have to cost a fortune.

Answer 6

You SHOULD be against cross-breeding. It's not right. And anyone who thinks they can make money off making up some "new" breed and charging $1000+ is just plain greedy.

Nothing wrong with getting a mixed breed from the shelter, they make fine pets and should be considered when people think about getting a dog.

But in no way should people purposely breed to create MORE unwanted shelter dogs.

Answer 7

The AKC would laugh in your face. The Continental Kennel Club, however, would likely let you register your "breed" provided you paid them enough money. The ConKC is a sham registry that would let you register a goat as a great dane if you paid them enough.

Either way, to intentionally create mutts (regardless of what "fancy" name you slapped on them) in a world where there are already millions of dogs killed every year because there aren't enough homes for them is IMHO morally reprehensible. Then again, I also believe that intentionally breeding more "purebred" dogs for the money without doing anything for the betterment of the breed is also morally reprehensible, as well.

Backyard breeders are the scum of the earth.

Answer 8

I am so against the whole purebred dog thing and/or breeding dogs as a source of income...

I have a little dog whose mum was a purebred corgi and whose dad was a sneaky neighbor's dog (shepherd/collie mix) and she has been the best little dog ever...she was given to us in barter for a 25 KG bag of IAMS food...The owners of the purebred did not want the puppies at all...and were angry that the little dog had been "knocked up" so to speak...

I have aquaintances that will only buy purebreds, who are usually unhealthy, high strung and otherwise super high maintenance...these people are pretty high maintenance themselves so, needless to day they would not have patience for dogs who bark incessantly, puke up their food and submissively pee all over the place..

Anyway, they usually end up getting bored of the dog, the novelty of the breed wears thin soon enough and they end up getting rid of the dog or the dog ends up biting someone and is taken away from them to be destroyed...These are people who like big dogs and hunting dogs...They last paid 1100 dollars for a dog that will not fetch a duck...my little dog, that I gave a bag of dogfood to "buy" will fetch a duck and is an excellent family pet as well...

Answer 9

With a mixed breed, you may get the good qualities of both breeds. However, you may also be compounding health issues that affect each breed.

AKC would NEVER accept that. But I hear the ACA might be a place for your dog. They register Puggles (Pug/beagle)

Answer 10

They are mutts that are given "cute" (STUPID!) names that are way over priced. I don't have a problem with mutts either but I don't understand why someone would pay hundreds of dollars for one. There are already so many in shelters that cost far less.

Labradoodle? Give me a break. We could always bred my pittie with your mix and call it a Pittie-Schnittie. Isn't that cute?! *rolls eyes*