Designer Dogs
(Hybrid Dogs)
Designer Dog?? What the heck is a designer
dog you ask?? A "designer" dog (as the media has labeled them) is a cross
between two purebred dogs. A purebred dog is one that has been bred over
many generations to breed true. Meaning each puppy that is born looks and
has the same temperament and characteristics as one another. In most cases a
standard is written and breeders must follow this written standard. Only
dogs which make the written standard are to be bred. Purebred dogs are
beneficial in that, when you buy a purebred dog you know what you are
getting. You know how big your puppy will grow and you know basically what
type of temperament and care the dog will need. You know the dogs limits,
whether it is capable of agility, hunting, search and rescue, police work,
herding, flock guardian, or just simply a companion dog. You have a pretty
good idea if the dog will be good with your kids, you know if they will have
a tendency to wander or if they will stick close to home. You have a pretty
good idea if they will like strangers, or if they will fear them. When one
breeds purebred dogs great care must be taken to insure the lines to not
become too thin. Even with all the best DNA testing available, genetic
problems can occur, however with the proper testing these problems can be
greatly reduced. To give you a simple analogy, let's say there was a law
passed that stated only people with red hair and green eyes with a high IQ
could have children, with the end goal, everyone in the USA to be smart with
red hair and green eyes. If this were to happen, as you can imagine, our
gene pool would eventually become thin, and many genetic problems would
occur. This is why it is very important to ask breeders breeding purebred
dogs what types of genetic testing they perform.
Harley, the Buggs (Boston Terrier / Pug mix)
What's the difference between a designer dog and a mutt?
Generally, a mutt is of uncertain ancestry. A designer dog has documented
purebred ancestry, and one knows for sure what it is. The
ACHC is the leading registry
for designer dogs.
So what's up with these hybrid, "designer"
dogs? Are they healthier? Hybrid dogs can still have genetic
problems because you are still crossing two first generation dogs,
however the percentage of hybrid dogs with genetic problems is much
lower than purebred dogs because the gene pool is mixed. Breeders
who breed purebred to purebred creating a first generation hybrid
believe in the
heterosis effect and hybrid vigor. Vigor means, "Physical or
mental strength, energy, or force." Unlike
purebred dogs, when you adopt a hybrid, you do not know exactly
what the temperament, size of the dog, or exact look of the dog will
be.
When you breed two different types of purebred dogs
together you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in
either breed. If you are stuck on a hybrid dog how do you know which one to
choose? Read the temperament and care for both breeds in the cross and be
prepared for any combination of the two. If everything about both breeds
matches you and your families personality and lifestyle, than you can most
likely assume this cross will work for you. If there is ANYTHING about
either breed in the cross that you do not feel matches what you are looking
for, avoid that cross. Do not assume or take the chance that only the good
characteristics will emerge. You may be in for a big surprise and it is not
fair to the puppy to chance that.
It is also important to be aware;
not all of these designer hybrid dogs being bred are 50% purebred to 50%
purebred. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses.
While a simple F1 generation cross is said to produce the most hybrid vigor
in the dog and the further down the multi-generation chain, the more vigor
is lost in the hybrid; there are some benefits to multi-generation crossing.
If you want to greater your chances of certain traits, such as non-shedding,
sometimes it is necessary to move further down the generation chain, risking
less vigor.
To help you understand this concept we will use the
Goldendoodle as an example. A Goldendoodle is a cross between the Golden
Retriever and the Poodle (usually the Standard Poodle). In general we will call
the first purebred "purebred-A", and the second "purebred-B". Note, the examples
of the differences in coat only apply to the Goldendoodle hybrid, all other
hybrids will vary in their own way depending on what is in the cross.
F1 =
1st generation puppy
-
50% purebred-A and 50% purebred-B - for
example, a
Golden Retriever to Poodle cross, this is first generation, resulting in healthier
offspring. In this particular Goldendoodle cross hair type can be smooth like a Golden, wirey look like a Irish
wolfhound or Wavy/shaggy, they can shed or not shed, pups in the same litter can
vary. This is not the best cross for people with severe allergies.
F1b =
backcross puppy -
25% purebred-A and 75% purebred-B. For example, an F1
Goldendoodle and Poodle cross; this is Goldendoodle bred back to Poodle, Wavy
Curly shaggy look doodle very consistent in coat types. F1b is the MOST likely
of any to be non shedding and allergy friendly then ANY doodles (poodle crosses) and is the
easiest coat to take care of.
F2 =
second generation
puppy - F1 hybrid crossed with an F1
hybrid - for example, an F1
Goldendoodle crossed with an F1 Goldendoodle. This combination you get the same
percentage of purebred-A as purebred-B as you would an F1 hybrid. In the case of
the Goldendoodle, they are more likely to shed.
F2b = second generation
backcross puppy = F1 bred to a F1b (hybrid backcross)
F3 = F2 hybrid
to F2 hybrid
Multi-generation = F3 or higher generation hybrid
crossed with F3 or higher generation hybrid
|
To sum things up |
| Purebred-A x Purebred-B = F1 Hybrid
Dog F1
x Purebred-A = F1b Hybrid Dog
F1 x F1 =
F2 Hybrid Dog
F1 x F1b = F2b Hybrid Dog
F2 x F2 = F3 Hybrid Dog
|
Dogs are not to be disposed of like old toasters when
they do not perform as you wish. They are living creatures. Cross a Labrador
with a Poodle (Labradoodle) and you may or may not get a dog that sheds.
Most experienced breeders can give you a pretty good idea what
characteristics in a pup will emerge as the puppy grows. For example, in the
Labradoodle, some breeders are able to tell which coat the pup will have,
the Poodle or the Labrador, but still, this cannot be guaranteed. Sometimes
it is harder to tell what type of temperament the pup will take on, as some
characteristics do not appear until the pup is older, past adopting age.
Zoë, the Pomapoo = Pomeranian Mother/ Toy Poodle
Father
Whether or not you choose a purebred dog
or a "designer" hybrid mix, do your homework and research, research,
research. Remember, adopting a dog should be a life long commitment and not
something that should be taken lightly. Before you adopt a dog ask yourself, Are You Ready for a Dog?
Maggie, the Yorkipoo (Yorkie / Poodle Cross) from Brazil at 18 months old
