Also known as "crossbreeds" or "hybrid dogs", designer dogs have gained quite a bit of popularity over the past couple decades. Although some people attribute the name "designer" to other luxury items such as designer sunglasses and designer handbags because of their trendiness, the name actually comes from the fact that these new dog breeds were designed for specific purposes.
A designer dog is an orchestrated mix of two purebred parents - but each parent is a different breed. The goal is to create a dog that combines the desirable traits of each breed while leaving the lesser desirable traits and genetic problems behind.
It's a Poodle World
Many hybrid dogs are a cross containing a poodle to combat one of the most common undesirable traits of dogs: shedding. Contrary to popular belief, shedding causes most of the allergy problems for people who are allergic to dogs - not the fur itself. When a dog sheds its fur, tiny pieces of skin shed along with it. A protein in this skin (dander) causes the allergic reactions. More shedding = more dander = more allergies. Poodles are considered less allergenic because they only shed their skin every 20 days or so, lessening the symptoms of allergies for their people. Poodles are also known for their intelligence and agility, which make them very good candidates to be one half of a designer dog breed.
Not Always According to Plan
It sounds easy: just breed two different purebreds and you'll get an extremely smart, hypoallergenic dog that doesn't shed very much and has a sweet temperament. This doesn't always happen. A litter may only contain a few pups with all of the desired traits; this type of purposeful breeding does not guarantee that each of the offspring will all be exactly the same. It's imperative that the health and lineage of each purebred parent is checked to ensure the best results. Unfortunately, puppy mills and unscrupulous breeders just trying to cash in on this trend don't bother with health checks and try to churn out as many designer dogs as they can for a profit.
For those people who are critical of breeding designer dogs, designer dog proponents are quick to point out that today's purebred dogs were often hybrids of other dogs at one time. Breeding dogs for specific traits is not a new practice.
10 Popular Designer Dogs
There is a large list of designer dog breeds out there, but here are 10 of some of the most common types that you may recognize:
1. Labradoodle: Labrador Retriever and Poodle cross
2. Goldendoodle: Golden Retriever and Poodle cross
3. Maltipoo: Maltese and Poodle cross
4. Puggle: Pug and Beagle cross
5. Schnoodle: Schnauzer and Poodle cross
6. Bugg: Boston Terrier and Pug cross
7. Pomapoo: Pomeranian and Poodle cross
8. Poogle: Poodle and Beagle cross
9. Porkie: Pug and Yorkie cross
10. Cockapoo: Cocker Spaniel and Poodle cross
Designer dogs are not recognized by the American Kennel Club, however the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) recognizes many of these hybrids.
A More Perfect Pooch?
Some people might think so, but most dog lovers would agree with the fact that all dogs are equally perfect, whether they're purebred, mixed without intention, or hybrid. Dogs are wonderful companions no matter where they come from and deserve our love and a happy life. For those people who want a dog in their lives but have extreme allergies, designer dogs can definitely fit the bill.
