Designer Dogs? Anybody read the New York Times Article on Labradoodles and Puggles and other mixes?

Question

Does anybody have one of these dogs? How are they working out?
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/magazine/04dogs.t.html?th&emc=th

Answer 1

This answer may get me flamed but I'm going to say it anyway and preface it by saying I mean no disrespect for breeders in general.

I think the "labradoodle" and "puggle" breeding practice is criminal at best. It is a marketing ploy dreamed up by people in order to sell mixed breed, (but cute) dogs to people for top dollar.

We have have had "pure bred" labradoodles, goldendoodles and puggles in the rescue I work with often. At first, people were beating down the door to adopt these dogs. The demand has tapered off. But in all cases, the dogs were surrendered to rescue. With the doodles, none of the dogs were non-shedding. They shed just like a normal lab or golden. And the families that paid for them (one dog over $2000.00) the children where still allergic to the dog. When they found out the dogs shed and they still had allergies to the dogs, they dumped these expensive designer dogs at pounds or at our rescue. The puggles were surrendered as a PAIR under a year because the owner just decided they didn't want them anymore after spending well over $1000. for them.

Folks, these were nice dogs, no temperment issues and all were young and healthy. The sad thing is, they were "created" and marketed for a purpose and they didn't live up to their marketing hype. Now if you search petfinder, you will see tons of these dogs in shelters. It's criminal.

These designer dogs are now competing for homes with the other homeless pets that already number in the millions. For so called "Breeders" to create a dog for marketing reasons is just patently wrong. There are numerous breeds of dogs out there if you want a pure bred. And there are any number of combinations of cute mixed breeds as well.

As for the non sheding working dog issue. That's garbage as well. I volunteer with an organization that trains assistance dogs. We can train any breed. There are numerous breeds that DO NOT SHED already and they do not produce dander. These are wonderful dogs and they come in toy, and Standard size. You can get a large (standard) poodle if you need a large working dog for someone with allergies.

Don't fall for the marketing garbage.

Please don't think I don't like or don't care about the dogs themselves, that is not the case. It's not their fault. I have a wonderful cocker mix. She SHOULD be a breed she's so adorable but I'd just be sick if someone created a designer dog of her combo.

Just my opinion. I'm sorry if it's a little harsh.

Answer 2

It's amazing. All of the misguided anger on Yahoo Answers regarding desiger dogs. Please do some research and grow up. Is there anyone out there older than 12?

The anger shouldn't be geared at designer "breeds" or mixes. They are not the reason for animal shelters being filled with animals. Less than 1% of all animals in the shelters are a result of a reputable designer breeders work. Most are purebreds (poorly, I might add) or unplanned mixes.

A reputable breeder (of any dog, pure or other) will not sell a dog to the general public without a spay/neuter contract. Blame the puppy mills, the mall pet stores, and the morons who have a cute pitbull (who I'm sure is the kindest animal on the planet) and think that they can make money by having puppies. Blame anyone who hasn't spayed or neutered their dog because they think it is cruel and their dog will never get out or they think their dog would be sad if it didn't have puppies, etc.

"Why don't they just go to a shelter to get a mutt?" That is a great question, albeit a very narrowminded thought. Deliberate mixes, like the labradoodle, were designed for a specified purpose. Labradoodles were originally designed to be hypoallergenic service dogs, i.e. dogs for handicapped people with allergies. It was a noble pusuit. They are not new, or a fad. They have been around for over 20 years.

As for mixes being healthier than purebreds, let me ask you this, are inbreds healthy? Most purebred animals are inbred to an extent. Any animal that hasn't been genetically tests, should not be bred. It doesn't matter if it's a mix or purebred. When people say that mixes are healthier, that is based on the assumption that a disease is recessive/recessive. Anyone who has taken basic genetics would reallize that it is highly unlikely for two different breeds to carry the same recessive genes which would be needed to pass on the disease. If you have a true issue with hybids, you would starve to death. At least 50% of the foods we eat are hybrids or genetically engineered in some way.

Wasting money is the funniest arguement people use. Can you place a value on companionship? Who are we to judge what other people spend? If you want to spend $800 at the mall for a poodle when you can get one for free, do I care? At least the people who spend money on their pet, can afford to properly take care of it. Most people who post here, got a pet at the pound, and can't afford to take it to the vet. The irony, a dog who would have been better off put to sleep because someone wants us to post a home remedy for a dislocated leg? (I'm not making this up)

I am not a breeder trying to push a breed and I don't intend to be one. With that being said, I have severe dog allergies. We have a 6 month old neutered F1B labradoodle. He does not shed and I am not allergic to him. He is a great mixed-breed dog (75% poodle, 25% lab), not a purebred, not a mutt (usually reserved for dogs of unknown lineage).

I encourage anyone with allergies to do their own research. But please, do not buy from a backyard breeder or puppy mill. Buy from a reputable breeder, one who has done genetic testing and has a spay/neuter contract. The various societies can recommend breeders in your area.

See below for photos.

Answer 3

As a groomer I see a lot of these "designer" dogs come through and it is sickening. It is a mutt, why pay $600+ for a dog when you can go to your local animal shelter and rescue the exact same dog. The people that buy these, labradoodles, maltipoos, puggles, pomapoos, shipoos and so on from a so called breeder are doing nothing but funding puppy mills and the average Joe that thinks they know something about breeding, ITS CRAP! If you want a specific breed ie standard poo, french bull dog, schnauzer, etc, go to a REPUTABLE breeder or breed RESCUE group, or local shelter, you will be surprised at all the pure breeds that are turned in. If you want a mix breed since they do tend to be healthier go to the shelter DO NOT support puppy mills, pet stores, or they guy next door that thinks he is going to make a quick buck at some poor dogs expense.

Answer 4

I do not. I prefer to buy pure breed dogs, or to go to the local shelter and buy a mutt. That really is all these dogs are, and they cost a lot. I know that someday maybe they will be a new pure breed, but like the article says there are to many people breeding them, and most don't know what they are doing. You can not call the AKC, or a breed specific association, because there are none. I am not saying that they are bad dogs, but if I pay that kind of money I want to know what I am getting, and be able to research the flaws and positive attributes to that particular breed of dog. I have owned mutts and I like them, but I will rescue mine from a kill shelter. That way I know I am possible saving the dogs life, and have left them places quite often with the next dog on the list. That is just me though.

Answer 5

I think its b u l l s h i t.. Tell me something if a Mutt is considered a Designer dog the how come people dont go to the pound and pick one up.. they must be your so called " Designer Dog" so since my dog is mixed with a Black Chow and an Am Staff what is he a " Chit". so is my do so called designer dog NO he is still a MUTT.. So if you dont have pure breed its still and alwasy will be a mutt in my eyes....

Puggle= MUTT
Bichon-poo= MUTT
Labradoodle= MUTT

i need not to go on with the list..

truefully ill stick to my mutt and the boxers.. At least they haven't been F^UCKED Up by this craze thats happening

Answer 6

My neighbor has a mix of Ameican Staffordshire Terrier and Dalmation that has the body build of the Terrier and the coloring of the Dalmation. I have also heard of Doodles-Dalmation and Poodle mix-but not seen one. From the description they are built and have the long hair of the Poodle but have the coloring of the Dalmation. Neither of these were intentionally bred, but do make for interresting animals. I do agree with the previous answer that they are mutts and wouldn't pay money for any of them when I could go to the pound and get a mutt for very little cost.

Answer 7

What's with all the "Hybrid" talk? A hybrid is when 2 different SPECIES produce offspring. Dogs are the same species so nothing they produce is a hybrid.

Anyhoo...If you really think about it, there is no difference between those dogs and whatever my dog is (A Shep mix of some sort) and it is utterly insane to spend that amount of money on a dog unless you plan on showing or breeding a perfect specimen of a particular breed.

Answer 8

I have a 6 month old Bichonpoo. She is the light of my life a real sweetheart. I could not ask for a better dog. She doesn't shed, she is adorable, has the best personality. I am all for designer dogs so long as they are not products of puppy mills and backyard breeders. Mine came from a legitimate breeder.

Answer 9

Hybrids are NOT healthier than pure bred dogs, and if someone tells you that not only are they lieing but they are scamming you out of your hard earned money. These dogs are mixes, and you can find the same thing at the shelter every single day. People who breed these mixes on purpose are out for your money, not the well being of the dog. People who have these dogs were scammed and I feel sorry for the dog. There is NO scientific proof that these mixes are healthier...NONE. So to claim that is pure LIES. LIES designed to get you to buy the dog for a superbly high price.

Answer 10

I don't believe they are PURE BREEDS. I do believe they are nothing more then a mix, or mutt. Which, in fact you are better off getting a pup from your local shelter, and not pay the BIG BUCKS for a designer dog.
Debi