Did a reduced number of dogs bred by Show breeders cause an increase in the number of designer dogs?

Question

Designer dogs are combinations of pure bred dogs often called a mixture of the two names. Puggles and labradoodles are examples of what is commonly called a designer dog

People think about it. If someone goes and looks for a pure bred dog and can't find it, and then goes and buys a cross of that breed and another instead, than the supplier will breed more because the first litter sold. It is the same principal used to explain why one shouldn't buy at a pet store. Further, the buyer might fall in love with the cross, rave about it to freinds and create a market for it, and the media just adds to the press it gets.

I will be giving someone points for this and your answers can be added to and/or edited! This is a simple economic theory doesn’t anyone have the name for that theory?

Answer 1

If better pure bred breeders have reduced the amount they are breeding, than that has to have had an affect. A reduced number of dogs being bred by show fanciers would both increase the price of well bred dogs making designer dogs a viable monetary interest, but also leave an open unmet demand. I think another factor was the increased use of the limited registration. Although someone with a limited registration could breed a pure bred dog and get registration papers issued by a registry other than the AKC, it would be just as easy to create a mix with a fancy name. In essence it is a vicious circle, when there is a reduction in pure bred better quality dogs, the void would be filled filled by other dogs. The concept is no different than that of feral cats and the trap, spay, release programs. Euthanizing cats does not reduce feral populations; just as reducing the number of pure bred dogs does not reduce the number of dogs intentionally bred as pets, as people want puppies that will grow into specific types of dogs. So I would say yes, a reduction in the number of better bred dogs would mean an increased production in other dogs.

Answer 2

The noticeable reduction in quality purebred dogs is due to the fact that reputable/responsible breeders are doing more health testing, choosing proper pairs to ensure quality healthy offspring. Apposed to the typical BYB/Puppymill that just keeps pumping them out every 6 months.

These so called "designer dogs" are a joke. These are a BYB and Puppy mills bread and butter. Take 2 full blooded unregistered dogs of 2 different breeds and make a mutt.... oh sorry, that's the wrong word....mongrel for profit. Money grubbers with a good sales pitch for the gullible.

Some people looking for a pure bred quality pup/dog get outraged by what some breeders are asking for their pups. Yet they don't have any problem throwing away $300 - $600 on a mixed breed. I'll NEVER figure that one out. I know with the health testing I do on my dogs, to do health testing on a male and a female and produce a quality litter it's close to $7,000. from start to finish for a first time breeding and that's not counting any incidentals that might arise.

Ignorance isn't an excuse, it's part of the problem.

Answer 3

The theory that you are talking about is SUPPLY AND DEMAND. If there is a demand for designer dogs someone will supply them. I disagree with all these previous writers who say designer dogs only come from puppy mills and backyard breeders. That is not true. There are legitimate breeders breeding these dogs. I have a Bichonpoo who has AKC parents and was from a legitimate breeder. She has the best temperament and is in excellent health. Many purebreeds were once a mixture of 2 other breeds. Someday (hopefully) these designer dogs will be recognized.

Answer 4

No purebreds are still very much in demand and are being bred, designer dogs (blah...i hate that title) is technically a mutt that is in demand. By calling a mutt a designer dog and give it a fancy name is an advertising ploy. Here's why they are nothing more than mutt's because you can not find two puggles or jugs that look the same, even when they are from the same litter.
While purebreds are more difficult to find in the pound if your looking for a designer breed get em from the pound, they'll love you forever for it, and you'll be able to put the thousand or two that would of gone to the breeder into supplies for your new pound puppy

Answer 5

Nope, just the BYB's decided that they could market designer doggies and sell them for more money!!! You will notice that the demand for Puggles has come down over the past few years. There is still the same amount of good dogs bred by show breeders. We get the stupid calls from people that want something out of champion stock, something very nice, guaranteed, ect, and they don't want to pay a dime for one! Then we also get the people who condemn us for putting a fair price on our dogs. There are plenty of show breeders out there. People need to be taught that these designer dogs or plain and simple mutts are not worth spending a dime on. There are plenty of mixed breed dogs in the shelters that need homes. People do not need to spend money and encourage these backyard breeders in making these crosses!

Answer 6

If those looking for a mixed breed would just consider going to their local animal shelter or contact a rescue group apposed to buying form someone that breeds these "designer" dogs, there wouldn't be a problem.

I think Pam has covered just about all the bases on this one. It's just sheer ignorance and the backyard breeders will keep making these mutts as long as people keep handing them money!

Answer 7

No actually very few people are designer dog breeders. They are mostly people in it for the money. Most are people who stopped showing or who never did. They perfer to breed something different and unique. Such as silver labrador retrevers. They are not recognize by the AKC but people buy them because there different.

Answer 8

No, a decreased education on the part of the public of the millions of dogs out there who already need homes, coupled with greed on the part of "breeders" who put a spiffy name on a mutt to con that gullible public into thinking they're getting something "special" contributed to it.

Edited to add:

And by the way, the only people who call them "designer dogs" are those who are trying to buy into the marketing hype for whatever reason.

They're mutts. Mixed-breeds. Period.

Answer 9

No, someone just figured out how to market these dogs so the ignorant majority will pay through the nose for them. If this 'puggle' , 'cockapoo' and 'labradoodle' crap dosen't stop I'll throw my hat in the ring with the 'Bull Shitz'. God, how ugly would that be?!?!

Answer 10

Nope, just greedy backyard breeders and puppy mills going with a fad in order to make money from ignorant people who will pay for a mutt, more than what they'd pay for a well bred purebred. Rather sad.