Quote:
Originally Posted by Gem
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 The incidence and severity of inherited diseases increases every year, and yet purebred breeders continue with outdated practices that continuously limit genetic diversity.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
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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."
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