Designer Dog website-hahahaha!
 

So you thought you were cool because you knew about Labradoodles? LOL! Breeders have gone to town with designer dogs. These aren't mutts but pricey dogs whose breeders have waiting lists!

Check out http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/american...hybridclub.htm ! I laughed until it hurt! The pug, Bichon, and Shih Tzu mixes are especially hysterical.:D

My friend actually has a "Labrottie" but the just call him a Rott lol. He's huge but is the biggest pansy about things..The dog sleeps with a night light. :p So pathetic yet cute at the same time.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/...2/kgkhvbnm.jpg

Some of those are really funny looking, but the Boston Terrier/Boxer puppies are soooo cute! I can't imagine a Boston having 7 puppies!! Poor girl. They usually only have 3ish.

I literally LOLed at the Boston Terrier x Papillion mix. That poor thing looks ridiculous!!
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images16...Papillion1.JPG

Ahh I love the Pug-Zu :)
I am a pug person and bf's neighbor has the cutest shih-tzu so I'm torn because I ALWAYS have pugs and they are the sweetest, but I love his neighbors dog. This would make me so happy.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images16/PugZuJaim1Year.jpg

Chugs are so funny too (Chihuahua & Pug)
http://pics.hoobly.com/full/DJB68SY4I3TPJR4JS6.jpg

Those are great! I've got to go through the website bit by bit and see all of them. That Boston-Papillon looks photoshopped! There's a Boston-Shih Tzu mix on petfinder.com right now and I bet he'll be there for a looong time, poor little thing!

Another Pug-zu picture
I think I'm obsessed. I need one of these doggies.
http://pics.hoobly.com/full/LK1FIVR8PQRB76C85P.jpg

My whole family is on a Morkie kick. My little sister got one, then my mom had to have one. My aunt quickly followed, then they bought one for my cousin for Christmas. They all look completely different and are different sizes. My sister's was only 2lbs when she got her. When she's wet, she looks like a little rat! They're all hair!

Well, I can't figure out how you get any uniformity at all, even when you get to the F2 generation. Maybe these breeders have a plan--I'd love to find to find out what!

Thank you for this thread. I've decided I need a Chug SO BAD. They are the cutest thing I've ever, ever seen. This whole not-having-pets-in-the-dorm thing sucks.

The breeders my family have used aren't actually breeding beyond the the original Maltese and Yorkies apparently since you can't control what you get after that. You really have to know where your puppy is coming from. My mom and sister actually have puppies from the same litter. One is small and light colored. The other is bigger and dark.

It would be cool to talk to a serious breeder about their pairings and what's valuable when they breed them! Like do people go for coat type or color or both?

I've seen Labradoodles who are closely related but you'd never know! Maybe you choose one phenotype if you like water sports and another for elegance? There's so much I want to know!

This beagle breeder in town had a dog who was raped by the neighbor's Shar Pei. Think baggy beagles.:D

The plan? The plan of these breeders is to separate the uneducated public from as much of their money as humanly possible.

Folks, these "designer breeds" are nothing but mixed breed mutts... cute mutts, but mutts. They are a dime a dozen at your local shelter and we kill thousands of them every single day. Mixing 2 dogs together just because the resulting NAME sounds cute is the stupidest idea possible... but the public falls for it every day.

Don't give these puppy pimps a dime of your money! Let them work for a living, instead of exploiting dogs for a buck.

I LOVE THE CHUG!!http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/icons/icon14.gif:D

And sadly, once a female dog has a litter outside of her breed, she can never have an AKC registered litter again. At least, that was the rule a few years ago - I would hope it's changed.

There aer a few Cavachons at our Bichon Bashes, and really, the only difference is in the matter of color on their ears. Really cute puppies!

I've only ever heard of Bichipoo for a Bichon-Poodle mix (Which are no way related, btw), but for those mixing a Bichon with any breed, please remember that Bichons tend to be almost too quiet, and mixing them with a yappy breed does a grave misjustice to the Bichon part!

Lastly, we were returning from a Bichon Bash one day, and I still had my "Bichon Mom" t-shirt when we stopped at a restaurant. This little boy kept staring at me and staring at me. Finally, he announced to everyone, "She says she's a bi*chin' mom!" Stage-whispered my proper mother, "I told you to change before we left!"

I wish these people would have spent the time and money they wasted on trying to create a "designer" dog to help the thousands of dogs and other animals that are already here and in shelters.

Sorry, but I can't see anything funny about this in the least. The current situation of too many animals is just too sad.

Most likely (actually, definitely) I will be heading to my local shelter the SECOND I am allowed to have a dog and adopting either:

a. The ugliest dog there and/or
b. The dog that's been there the longest

Paying for his/her shots and heading straight home.

I have no intentions of paying hundreds of dollars for something "designer" or even purebred when there are just as cute puppies without a loving owner every day. However if that puppy that's been there the longest just happens to be a chug, well... ;)

All 3 of our dogs and our cat are rescue animals and we have personally rescued some 20 animals for other families. We work with the humane society in numerous projects. However:

I still reserve the right to laugh at some of these dogs! Boston Terrier plus anything? What were these breeders thinking?:D

On the whole these aren't legit "breeders" in the first place. So they weren't thinking of anything other than trying to make some money off a mixed breed. Legit breeders take care with animals to avoid genetic problems and reinforcing positive traits (leaving aside that some 'positive' traits are net negatives for the animal.) "ACHC" registered or not, my guess is the vast majority of designer dogs come from backyard breeders and I shudder to think what happens to the mixes that don't "work" or the puppies who aren't "cute enough."

I think I finally convinced my coworker not to stud her bulldog. He's purebred, and it would be to create another purebreed, but she's already complaining about his behavior since he hasn't been neutered. But that's another story.

I showed my BFF a photo of the cocker spaniel-shar pei, and he said, "That dog looks unhappy to be alive."

He looks hungover!

I was ROTFL about the Brussels Griffon-Cocker and the Brussels Griffon-Shih Tzu, who also look photoshopped! Actually, the last one looks like one of my former bosses--bald with a goatee.

Co-sign.

BLESS YOU!!! Of All of the breeds that should NOT be bred by "amateurs", it is the bulldog. What a health & genetic mess that breed is. You know why? Because MAN created the bulldog and we are not such great canine engineers.

Exactly. I don't know if she would have stud him back the to breeder she purchased him from or not, but either way.... uh uh. That's why I said what I did about "positive" traits. While on one hand, breeders breed for health, they also breed for standards that often have their own negative affects on health.

I am getting rather tired of attacks on "Designer Dogs". All the published scientific research shows that crossbreds are healthier and live longer than purebreds.

Most people just want a happy, healthy family pet. But say “Boxer” and think heart disease; say “Golden Retriever”and think hip dysplasia. The incidence and severity of inherited diseases increases every year, and yet purebred breeders continue with outdated practices that continuously limit genetic diversity. The recent BBC program “Pedigree Dogs Exposed” did much to bring the health problems in purebred dogs to the attention of the general public (see http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=44215 931).

In addition, changing fashions and fads in the show ring have caused some purebred breeders to exaggerate physical characteristics that make dogs more susceptible to health problems problems (bulging eyes in Pekingese, elongated backs in Dachshunds etc). Recently the RSPCA in the UK cut it’s ties with the Kennel Club dog shows for “encouraging the breeding of deformed and disabled dogs” (see http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKGRI63987020080916).

On the other hand, hybrid “Designer Dogs”, can provide the best of both worlds, purebreds and mutts: the ability to carefully select the parent dogs for health and temperament, and test for inherited diseases (like you can with purebreds); and the increased health and longevity provided by genetic diversity (like mutts).

I don't believe adoption should be the only option for families who choose a crossbred dog. It's great that people take dogs from shelters, be they are purebred or cross. I've had rescue dogs myself in the past, no doubt will have more in the future, and also help out at my local shelter once a month. However, as anyone who works in rescue can tell you, adoption isn't for everyone. I see no reason why those people who want a healthier dog, and hence choose a crossbred for their family, should then be forced to choose a dog from rescue (and likely with unknown history of health and temperament) while those that choose a purebred may opt for a puppy from a breeder.

I believe families that choose a crossbred pup should have exactly the same rights as those that choose a purebred. They should be able to buy a pup from a breeder who carefully chooses their breeding dogs, carries out the necessary health testing, and provides a comprehensive health warranty. To say that puppy buyers must either buy a purebred or take their chances with a shelter dog is just discrimination, pure and simple. The option to buy from a breeder or to adopt from a shelter should be open to everyone, regardless of what type of dog they decide is right for their family.

Of course all puppy buyers need to be careful. There are puppy mills and "backyard breeders" with bad breeding practices, producing purebred and crossbreds both. However, there are also many dedicated hybrid breeders whose main aim is to produce healthy dogs, without the genetic problems that have plagued many purebreds. They aren’t trying to create new breeds, or to compete in the show ring - these breeders simply want to provide happy, healthy family pets.

JMHO

There are plenty of mutts (a word I say with love) who need homes who are naturally all of the things that "Designer Dogs" are created to be except they don't have cutsie names (and they're not questionably hypoallergenic). The idea that a shelter dog (or, gasp, puppy) is any more of a risk than a bred dog is rather silly. Throughout your post there are hints that a shelter dog is inherently unhealthy and risky. And that's just not true. The majority of responsible breeders still breed purebreds, just not the excessively characterized ones that the RSPCA is complaining about. The majority of Shit-Poo breeders are irresponsible and making a buck.

So yeah, YMMV, but we're talking about OVERALL here. The vast majority of people would do well to go to a shelter and find a dog. Odds are they'll find a healthy dog who wags his tail so hard that they can't bear NOT to take him home. (And if you're hooked on the purebreeds, there are rescues for them too!) Dogs are put down every day purely for the reason that there are no homes for them, not because they're dangerous. Until that's handled, you're not going to convince me to get behind "designer dog" breeding because "people deserve a choice other than risky shelter dogs."

^^^ This.

And I'm guessing Gem breeds designer dogs.

The best dog my family ever had was a maltesse mixed with a Yorkie-poo (yorkie & poodle mix) shelter dog. I guess if we wanted to get cutsey, he was a Morkie-Poo. You couldn't have told him that, though - in his heart, he was a St. Bernard.

The dogs my parents have now are two purebreed malties and they have a serious case of TEH DUMBZ. They are 6 years old and still not housebroken...and my parents have tried everything. It's not like they're new ar it, either...they've always had dogs.

My dog was a vet rescue - she had parvo and would have been put down if someone hadn't taken her. She's kind of ridiculous, though - face of a golden retriever on a slightly large corgi body. She's still cute, though. I wish my husband let her stay inside more often...he was horrified the first time I let the dog in the house. Animals do not belong in the house In his culture.

Lucky would have gone to Heart Bandits had the vet who rescued him not known that Live-in's family already had an Eskie and might love another one.

As it is, Lucky's been a fantastic dog and a loving companion for over 10 years to Live-in and his family (and now me). Smart as a whip, too.

As far as "heredetary" illness, he does have diabetes but I'm under the impression that Eskies aren't genetically predisposed to diabetes. He did not have serious sight problems prior to developing diabetes - well, no more than any other 14 year old dog.

Just saying - he was a rescue and they knew little to nothing about him before they got him. Not everyone has that experience but I would venture a guess that it's more common than not.

Gem is totally clueless. This BS of "hybrid vigor" has been disproven many times. It is the line of crappola that lousy breeders use to justify breeding MORE dogs for which there are not enough homes.

Myth of Canine Hybrid Vigor

Just so you do not assume that I do not know what I am talking about, I am the current president of a Labrador rescue and have worked actively in rescue for more than 20 years.

If having a fun name for your mixed breed is critical, may I recommend DNA testing?

http://whatsmydog.com/

We had our mutt tested and she came out as a mix of:

-English Setter

-Boston Terrier

-Tibetan Spaniel

-Unknown Terrier (likely Jack Russell or Pit Bull)

We call her a Tibostunk Terrietter

Now, as to whether she's healthier for being a mixed breed - who knows - she has terrible skin problems, but even at her age still acts like a puppy.

In fact, my parents found her on the side of the road on 2/13/99 age 6 weeks, so we're about to celebrate 12 years of love and friendship together.

I wouldn't take a dozen Morkie-Tzus, Boxo Apsos, or Cock-Teses to replace her.

I do agree with you, to a point. However, I did not mean to infer that a shelter dog is riskier health wise that a dog from a breeder. Statistically, in fact, you'd have a better chance of getting a healthy mutt from a shelter than buying a purebred dog from a breeder. However, it's true you'd have an even better chance with a crossbred from a responsible breeder, who carefully selects the breeds they use, and test the parent dogs for any possible inherited problems.

My main point is that if people can choose to buy a purebred puppy from a breeder, they should be able to choose a crossbred puppy for their family exactly the same way. Why discriminate against crossbreds at all, regardless of whether they come from a shelter or a breeder?

I own two crossbred pet dogs, and both have been neutered. I also help out at my local shelter one day a month. But enough about me :)

It's a pity that issues regarding animal health and welfare can't be discussed without some resorting to personal attack.

:rolleyes:

It's only a "personal attack" if you assume that I suggested that being someone who breeds designer dogs is inherently bad or wrong. I simply meant that your response read like the response of someone with a vested interest in the discussion rather than the response of a neutral observer. This is especially so in light of the fact that your only posts have been on this topic, which leads to an inference that you joined GC for the purpose of commenting on this topic.

An observation, even if it is a flawed one, is not a personal attack.

Hi thetalady

I'm afraid that's not correct. I realise this is an emotive issue, but as a scientist with a special interest in animal health and welfare, I prefer to stick with the facts. And all the scientific research in this area has found that the average mutt is healthier and lives longer than the average purebred. Here are just a few references:


1) B.N. Bonnett, A. Egenvall, P. Olson, . Hedhammar, Mortality in Swedish dogs: rates and causes of death in various breeds, The Veterinary Record, 12/7/1997, S. 40 - 44)
"Mongrels were consistently in the low risk category" (S. 41)

2) P.D. McGreevy & W.F. Nicholas, Some Practical Solutions to Welfare Problems in Pedigree Dog Breeding, Animal Welfare, 1999, Vol 8, 329-331
"Hybrids have a far lower chance of exhibiting the disorders that are common with the parental breeds. Their genetic health will be substantially higher." (P338)

3) A. Egenvall, B.N. Bonnett, P. Olson, . Hedhammar,Gender, age, breed and distribution of morbidity and mortality in insured dogs in Sweden during 1995 and 1996, The Veterinary Record, 29/4/2000, p. 519-57
"Mongrel dogs are less prone to many diseases then the average purebred dog." (S. 524)

4) R. Beythien, Tierarten- und Hunderassenverteilung, Erkrankungshufigkeit und prophylaktische Manahmen bei den hufigsten Hunderassen am Beispiel einer Tierarztpraxis in Bielefeld in den Jahren 1983-1985 und 1990-1992, 1998, Diss., Tierrztl. Hochschule Hannover
Mongrels require less veterinary treatment

5) A. R. Michell, Longevity of British breeds of dog and its relationship with sex, size, cardiovascular variables and disease, Vet. Rec., 27 Nov. 1999, S. 625-629
"There was a significant correlation between body weight and longevity. Crossbreeds lived longer than average but several pure breeds lived longer than cross breeds, notably Jack Russell, miniature poodles and whippets", thus only small and toy breeds, as to be expected (S. 627)

6) G.J. Patronek, D.J. Walters, L.T. Glickman, Comparative Longevity of Pet Dogs and Humans: Implications for Gerontology Research, J. Geront., BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, 1997, Vol 52A,No.3, B171-B178
"The median age at death was 8.5 years for all mixed breed dogs and 6.7 years for all pure breed dogs For each weight group, the age at death of pure breed dogs was significantly less than for mixed breed dogs." (p. B173)

7) H.F. Proschofsky et al, Mortality of purebred and mixed breed dogs in Denmark, Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2003, 58, 53-74
Higher average longevity of mixed breed dogs (grouped together). Age of death weight groups mixed breeds 8,11,13 years; purebreds 6, 10, 12 years (Q1 Q2 Q3)


In short, the average mutt in the street has a better chance of living a long and healthy life than the average pedigree dog. I've yet to find a single piece of scientific research that shows otherwise ( I'm talking published scientific papers here - not opinion pieces on somebody's blog). If you know of any, I'd be only too happy to read it.

Gem

Fair enough. Apology accepted, with thanks :)

I just read the Myth of Hybrid Vigor blog. I agree with some of her thoughts, but she has a poor understanding of genetics. Sorry, a puppy CAN have a genetic disease that neither of her parents carry. It's called a de novo mutation. A puppy can also be born healthy with two diseased parents. There are many diseases with incomplete penetrance, recessive patterns, etc. There is more to genetics than simple probabilities. Yippee..let's all adopt a dog from the pound. There are people who just aren't going to do it, so fighting over it is useless. Have your dogs spayed or neutered to decrease the unwanted dog population.

What?

Second: if you're going to address people by their usernames, use the full name. Her name isn't The Talady, it's thetalady. We're members of a greek life organization forum - theta refers to her sorority.

Third: WTF is this crap?

Thanks. Inadvertent error corrected :)

Well, I think if people are that set on a purebred, they should be getting it from a rescue, instead of enabling people who turn out litter after litter because OMGZ PUPPEEZ ARE SOOOOOO CUTE. If I had my way, dog breeding programs would be like zoo breeding programs - i.e. more tightly regulated - and just enough breeding would be done so dogs wouldn't be their own grandpa. When we get down to zero population growth, then I'll take a look at your Box-O-Poo or whatever the eff it's called.