It has become the norm for anyone who wants to have a glamorous aura to choose their dogs like they choose their shoes. "Ooh - I'm going to take this adorable dog in the corner, the color is awesome and it matches my purse!".
And they are readily available - anybody with enough money can select the little dog of their dreams. What is perhaps even scarier than the free supply of "designer dogs" is the reality that almost anyone can create a new dog breed. The sudden increase in the number of dogs as fashion items has led to the appearance of a large number of unscrupulous breeders trying to make a quick buck with expensive dogs with cute names.
Unfortunately, this type of farming practice carries many risks. Anyone can mix any combination of dogs, but few manage to do it in a way that's good for the dogs and the humans who live with them. It's about more than genetics. Why create a dog that is likely to have a painful future?
Imagine your adorable Yorki-poo pup has a very expensive medical future ahead of him. Or try imagining that the adorable pug you just brought home might need to have its eyes put back in its sockets at regular intervals!
Hobby breeders subject dogs bred to fit our lifestyles to all kinds of dangerous conditions.
It can be said that all dogs are the result of crossbreeding. Not only are all purebred dogs the result of mixing, but in fact, every dog today has a history of crossbreeding in its past.
There is a well-deserved stigma surrounding these new, so-called "designer" dogs.
Various breeds of Pugs and Pekingese have very sensitive eyes. Pugs are known to have problematic eyes, just like Pekingese. You may end up with a dog whose eyes pop out of their sockets. And fixing it may require costly and painful corrective surgery.
Looks more like a horror movie than a happy family dog!
What about the mix of some large dogs? It can be just as detrimental if two genetically inferior specimens are used. You might find yourself crossing dogs with hip dysplasia and end up with a crippled dog.
It is the lack of predictability that makes these dogs so risky. You never know what you will receive. And even if the odds are in your favor, no one can guarantee the health of your conception pup.
The American Kennel Club is considering allowing some of the more established breeds to be on the list of accepted and recognized breeds. But this process requires some organization on the part of the breeders.
To be officially recognized, it is necessary to prove that the dogs have a pedigree of at least three generations. The dog must also be widely distributed in the United States - in at least 20 states.
Labradoodles are the best-known of the design dog clubs. Labradoodles are also at the forefront of acceptance into the American Kennel Club. Some breeders have at least 15 generations of Labradoodles and claim to be able to predict the look and temperament of the dog with great certainty. In the canine world, there is a lot of discussion about whether or not many of these new hybrids will be pedigree dogs.
Only time will tell if these dogs will be accepted into the mainstream. Many people enjoy the benefits of dogs designed to fit in a purse or dogs designed to live in small spaces.
It's important to remember that whatever you look for in a dog, you also look for in the puppy's parents. With these expensive puppies, you risk spending a lot of money for a big disappointment.
Check as much as possible for the mix that interests you the most. Instead, leave suits that you can see might have similar weaknesses. Don't buy puppies from people who seem more interested in your money than in the welfare of their puppies.
Ultimately, good puppies come from good homes. Knowledge of genetic disorders is as important as warmth and love when it comes to making good pets.
Until designer dogs become more widely recognized, it's best to stick with the more traditional mixes. At the very least, you'll know exactly what you're paying for. If you really aren't concerned about a purebred puppy, why not look into buying an adult dog in a shelter?
This way you will have a bit more certainty about temperament and appearance.
If you're not really interested in a purebred puppy, why not consider buying an adult dog from a shelter? This way, you will have a bit more certainty about the dog's temperament and appearance.
In the end, your designer dog could end up costing you more. If your dog has a suspicious heritage, you'll need to undergo numerous tests to screen for a whole host of possible conditions. If your dog is your fashion accessory, you can enjoy the added benefit of all kinds of colorful accessories for your little pooch.
Whatever you decide, the main thing is to give her a happy home, no matter what.