Designer Dogs
As a responsible breeder and with also caring for the main stream's family pets , as a groomer, I felt that voicing my opinion about the FAD of Designer Dogs would be appropriate.
Over all I feel that the crossing of Poodles with other breeds has of course always been present, but now hit its all time high. I feel it is truly a fad and a way of making money and taking advantage of uneducated puppy buyers.I am very upset with the thought that my breed is only being used for its chance to throw a non shedding coat (which rarely occurs) and not for the wonderful characteristics, intelligence, and beauty they possess.In my experience with several Labradoodles and Goldendoodles (I am trying to mainly focus on the breeds crossed with the Standard variety) I have found the coats to certainly shed and also matt in the thicker, fuller coats.The mixture of the coats either creates a "terrier" type , wiry coat that certainly sheds and also needs grooming, and the latter creates a thick soft coat that matt horribly needing as much, if not more grooming than a Standard Poodle.In both cases I have found a reasonable amount of shedding.Also they are taking relatively clean breeds and adding hair to the face which causes more odor ,and a wet , smelly face/beard full of food and water unless shaved off on a regular basis.
As far as type and temperament (which also crosses over to health), they are all different .Most of these "breeders" are NOT using good representations of the breed, but whatever closest to it they can find.This can be pet store labs and Standards, or just simply backyard breeders.The health and background these dogs is typically not documented.
Ahhhh..now health!If I hear "health vigor" one more time I will burst!These breeders act upon this myth to sell "healthy puppies".As far as I can see they are actually creating more problems.The thought of genetic problems "skipping" a generation may be somewhat true in certain circumstances, however they are actually introducing MORE genetic diseases into the gene pool for this "breed".By combining these two breeds they are actually contributing genes for diseases not yet found in either breed.As a example , Labs have certain problem Standards do not, and vice versa.Now the first generation of pups from this mix may not be affected by the disease (if a gene from each parent is needed to produce it) however now the gene has been passed into this offspring and when this puppy is bred to another "Labradoodle" the chances of the disease occurring are as high as the original pure bred.Now not only has this happened but now MORE diseases are present in the next generation.To break it down somewhat hypothetically...(we will use Labradoodles), Labs have Elbow dysplasia which Standards do not,Standards have SA (skin disease) which Labs do not.Now the first generation of this mix can produce carriers of these diseases but typically not actually produce this disease (this is where the "healthy" thought comes to play).HOWEVER when these offspring are then later bred to another offspring of the same mix, they can now not only produce one of the disease (such a s a pure Lab or a pure Standard) but now the potential for BOTH diseases in the same pup is highly possible.
So why not only breed the first generation over an over??First of all this first generation will not produce all of the characteristics wanted, such as non shedding.Secondly to promote a new breed you need to be able to breed 2 of the "new breed" and start to come up with consistent results to create a standard for that breed.This is how new breeds are formed, not by always getting different results and slapping a name on it.True ,new breeds are a copulation of existing breeds, but through generations they have come up with consistent type, which cannot not be done with the repeat of first generation crosses.To further cross will only add to the downfall of the "healthy" mix and simply come closer to replicating one of the original breeds, therefore not being much of a mix anymore.I knew a Cockapoo that looked everything like a pure Cocker Spaniel.The owners swear it was a Cockapoo.The catch was that the puppy was a result of a Cockapoo bred to another Cockapoo...the result was a very cute Cocker Spaniel.This was not the only case I have encountered.
Please believe me when I say that a good loving dog, no matter where they came from or what breed(s) they may be, deserved to be loved.In most cases it is for human reason they are here and they deserved to be loved and cared for.I also feel the same concern for poor breeders of pure bred dogs as I do for the crossing of Standard Poodles for silly reasons or profit in their wallets.I would maybe prefer to see a loving person breeding mixes than an irresponsible "breeder" creating "almost" pure breeds.If you only realized the work and care that we put into our Standard Poodles to keep the breed, and better it, you would see why this "fad" is a concern.I am not here to put down a loving 4 legged family member,I just want people to realize what they are really getting and that what they may think is true is only half true.I want to share the whole story.Is there anything wrong with a mix breed..absolutely not!However there is something wrong with not being fully educated and paying $3000. for it.
For a more in depth look into "Designer Dogs" please read the article below, written by Dr.Christine Scruggs VMD.I do have more opinions on this issue and truthfully there are more important battles to fight, however I have had a few requests on my thoughts and I have decided to share a bit.
Thank you, and most importantly...love your dogs!
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