|
The popularity of puggles and other
designer dogs, such as labradoodles and schnoodles, has become a
contentious topic among communities of dog owners. The
variations that breeders are coming up with are increasingly
strange. Your little mix breed could undoubtedly be tiny, cute
and a loving companion, but what about all the various health
risks that will become exaggerated with a cross? Some argue the
mixed breeds aren't breeds at all, but simply overblown,
overpriced mutts, while others decry popularizing specially bred
dogs when thousands of dogs languish in shelters.
The problem with designer dogs is people
might think they're trendy and that's not a good reason to buy a
dog. People who buy these designer dogs are often told these
dogs have a genetic make-up that cannot produce problems. You
can be guaranteed that your dog is unique, so unique that he
probably won't even resemble his parents or litter mates.
Before you put down, say $1,500 to $2000
for a labradoodle or puggle, you should look first in a shelter
because you can probably find the same type of dog there.
Shelters often house mixes and other unique blends of dogs. They
may not carry the designer dog label, but the mutts are just as
cute as any pooch that has been featured lately in the media.
|
| |
The notion that any designer
dog can boast a noble background
|
| |
None of the new designer
dogs would qualify as purebreds in the near future. They would
need a whole list of qualifications, including a parent club,
generations of photographed, documented dogs, and generations of
health records. It usually takes decades, if not centuries, to
register a purebred. Once they are recognized and breed true
that is the difference between them and today's purebred.
The wide range of health problems your
new designer dog might experience later in life will also be
unique. Your Veterinarian won't have any prior list to consult
when trying to diagnose your dog. If you buy a dog from an
established breed you can be assured that your vet will have a
long list of possible diseases that are common in the breed.
|
| |
The claim that designer dog
mixes are any healthier than purebreds
|
| |
There has not been any scientific study
demonstrating that mixed breed dogs are any healthier than
purebreds.
Most designer dog breeders do no "test"
on their breeding stock. Since 50% of the genes come from each
parent, the pups will carry faults from either parent including:
eye problems, hip problems and even shedding to a certain
degree.
|
| |
Buyers Beware
|
| |
We would say 'buyer beware'
to people who believe designer dogs are the best of both worlds.
With a purebred, you know what kind of
coat quality and what kind of temperament you're getting. All of
this is documented and guaranteed. You'll get generation after
generation of health cleared parents and a written guarantee.
With designer dogs, there is no guarantee how the puppies will
turn out. One bad gene somewhere along the line and your dog
might have picked up some aggression or other equally feared
qualities.
|
|
By all means, don’t let media trends
tell you what to buy. They don't have to pay the bills and live
with the problems. These crossbreds are a deliberate attempt to
mislead the public with the idea that there is an advantage to
these designer dogs. The crossbred dogs are prone to all of the
genetic disease of both breeds and offer none of the advantages
that owning a purebred dog has to offer.
Save a life, go to your local shelter
and find your own unique dog. Or find an experience breeder that
will be there to help you choose the right breed for you.
|
Link to Oodles of Doodles - article by Naomi Kane (as printed in Dogs in Canada, February 2009)
|
|
