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'designer dogs' aka crossbreeds

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I get the impression breeders 'doodle' about combining different breed names til they find something that sounds cute. The canine equivalent of Brangelina or Tomkat!

 

And how long will those combinations be the 'in' thing? Dogs can't get divorced. :rant:

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My off the top of the head first thoughts about this are that if such breeding is done responsibly, with the health and welfare of the dogs as top priority, there is no difference between breeding crosses and pedigree's.

 

Many owners choose dogs for reasons of vanity or status, without knowing anything about the dog they're choosing (Staffies for hardman appeal, Dallies because they look cute in the films for example).

 

When we were deciding on a pup, we were torn between a labrador and a cavalier king charles spaniel. Two quite different dogs, but both had qualities that we were looking for in a dog. Since then I've seen labrador/cav crosses advertised, and I must say that if I'd known about them when we choosing a pup it's certainly something I would have considered.

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It was a rottador. Havnt seen a pic though.

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I saw this in the free-ads, probably to sell some unfortunate unplanned litter. They just make them up as they go along!

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Here's a list of dog breed crosses and their names/photos:

 

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/americancaninehybridclub.htm

 

Louise

Grrrrrr :mad:

 

most of those dogs would more correctly be titled 'mutt' :mad:

 

there are very few sensible crosses on that list, and the number of really stupid matings is shocking. most of those dogs have heads or ears completely out of proportion to the rest of the dog, and the number of them wearing stupid outfits just about sums up the whole practice :rant:

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i have to say that i dont really see the difference between breeding pedigree pups or breeding crossbreeds-to me,both are unneccesary. It still boils down to the 'designer dog' ie choosing the 'right'dog for you.

My attitude is that i love animals and hate to see them abandoned,neglected or abused.I dont care whether they look pretty,run quickly,can catch rats or sniff out certain things etc,etc.

Why deliberately mate 2 dogs and produce a litter of expensive 'designer' animals when there are already sooo many who need a home?

Im sorry-i just dont get it????

(please dont take this personally anyone-its not intended to offend)

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I have no problem with breeding cross breeds if it's done sensibly and they are sold as such things.

 

I stand by my choice of dog - dalmatians - I chose them because they were the right dog for me - yes gnomi - and the reason - because I didn't want a dog that wasn't the right dog for me and either not enjoy the whole experience or end up rehoming it.

 

Pedigree dogs - the ones that are bred properly are bred for the breed characteristics and as such, although you can't completely guarantee how the dog will turn up - you have a much better idea.

 

The problem with 'so many dogs already needing homes' is that people are either churning out litter after litter because they either allow their entire dogs to roam, or don't take full responsibility for a bitch in season, or irresponsible breeders breed pedigree or designer dogs and don't follow up the dog's after care for the rest of it's life. Any responsible breeder would not be adding to the rescue centre population.

 

My biggest problem with 'designer dogs' is not that they are cross breeds, it's that it's clear to see by their ridiculous names and clothes and the amount of them in rescues that their breeders are not taking their welfare seriously.

 

Yellowrose - there can be advantages to cross breeding certain breeds.

Unfortunately as Strix says - you cross breed a beagle with a pug and although there are less health problems than the pug would have, there's far more than the beagle would have.

In America, they breed 'mini dalmatians' which involves breeding a dalmatian with an italian greyhound - one of the most fragile breeds around. Add the dalmatian temperament to the size and build of an Italian Greyhound and you get a disaster.

 

Also - many people don't think about the sizes they are crossing and will quite happily use a larger male with a small breed female resulting in bitches dying during whelp trying to produce puppies of a much larger breed.

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i have to say that i dont really see the difference between breeding pedigree pups or breeding crossbreeds-to me,both are unneccesary. It still boils down to the 'designer dog' ie choosing the 'right'dog for you.

My attitude is that i love animals and hate to see them abandoned,neglected or abused.I dont care whether they look pretty,run quickly,can catch rats or sniff out certain things etc,etc.

Why deliberately mate 2 dogs and produce a litter of expensive 'designer' animals when there are already sooo many who need a home?

Im sorry-i just dont get it????

(please dont take this personally anyone-its not intended to offend)

 

Also - how would Mr and Mrs Strix have got on on their 4 hour walks up the sides of mountains with a british bulldog cross that they found in a rescue and didn't care whether it looked pretty, could run fast, sniff out certain things etc. etc.? They chose a beagle because they wanted a dog that could accompany them on their days out safely.

 

There is a very good reason for choosing the 'right' dog for you.

I dread to think how my neighbour who gets dragged down the road every day by her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel would have got on with a dalmatian cross lab that she found in a rescue and didn't care whether it looked pretty, could run fast.... etc etc. It just wouldn't have been a suitable dog for her.

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Also - how would Mr and Mrs Strix have got on on their 4 hour walks up the sides of mountains with a british bulldog cross that they found in a rescue and didn't care whether it looked pretty, could run fast, sniff out certain things etc. etc.? They chose a beagle because they wanted a dog that could accompany them on their days out safely.

 

There is a very good reason for choosing the 'right' dog for you.

I dread to think how my neighbour who gets dragged down the road every day by her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel would have got on with a dalmatian cross lab that she found in a rescue and didn't care whether it looked pretty, could run fast.... etc etc. It just wouldn't have been a suitable dog for her.

 

 

I do understand the part about having the right dog for your needs,but couldnt that be gleamed(to a degree) from the people who have been caring for the dog in the kennels,or from the foster parents,or by spending time getting to know the dog and assessing the dogs bloodline (usually fairly apparent by looking at him/her) Im (clearly) no dog expert so will find it hard to make a knowledgeable arguement-its merely my opinion

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I do understand the part about having the right dog for your needs,but couldnt that be gleamed(to a degree) from the people who have been caring for the dog in the kennels,or from the foster parents,or by spending time getting to know the dog and assessing the dogs bloodline (usually fairly apparent by looking at him/her) Im (clearly) no dog expert so will find it hard to make a knowledgeable arguement-its merely my opinion

 

Hi, you're entitled to your opinion of course ;)

 

However - in my opinion and based on certain evidence there are often far too many dogs in rescues to know the full temperament, excercise requirement and grooming requirements of every dog. Unfortunately there's simply not enough fosters either.

 

I know of a few people who have been to rescues for dogs and ended up returning the dog as it was the wrong dog for them. However most people I know who have bought pedigrees or known crosses have kept them even if they show the worst of that breed's traits because they knew what they were letting themselves in for when they got them.

 

To a certain extent, the staff at a rescue can assess you and assess the dogs to see which is the best for you, but when I chose dalmatians, of course it was partly based on their looks, there was a certain attraction that got me reading about them, but I loved their character, I knew the challenge I would have to train them, their exercise needs etc. etc.

 

Also - by breeding well bred pedigrees from healthy parents, you can buy one knowing you'll likely be able to do certain things with them - like I do agility with Takara, not because I want to compete, because I want to partake in something fun for me and the dog and it increases our bond. There are many rescue dogs and crosses that do agility but many people choose certain breeds for it.

Likewise I show her in conformation shows because we both enjoy it, it's a day out for the show, and regular training, socialisation and bonding at our classes. Yes, it can be snobby but if you're in it for the right reasons, you enjoy it.

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Just for the record - I also have a rescue dog so am certainly not against rescues.

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