Nancy Los Angeles, California 3/6/2013 6:26:31 PM Listen, Anne. There is a huge difference between purebreds and designer dogs (mutts). I am not putting down these hybrid dogs. I'm sure many of them turn out to be quite amazing pets. But when the characteristics of how that puppy will turn out as an adult are wildly inconsistent, there are bound to be a lot of owners who change their minds. And when they do, the dogs likely end up in in the pound. Statistics show that very few purebreds stay in shelters, and are more likely to be adopted. Let's not make it any harder by purposefully creating crossbreeds.
Felicity Morgan Hill, CA 9/24/2011 10:06:08 AM Breeders of Australian Labradoodles and members of the ALAA (Australian Labradoodle Association of America) are light years ahead of AKC recognized breeds as far as health testing goes. Testing is mandated for membership. With all the genetic testing available, many things SHOULD have been bred out of a breed by now. By many AKC breed breeders do not do the testing available. And the show circuit - which non AKC recognized breed breeders are spared - contributes massively to the problem. King Charles Cavalier Spaniels are bred with skulls too small for their brains, the percentage of Dobermans with vWD is staggering, GSDs have horrible hips in this country, and so on. Like all dogs, designer dogs are only as good as the breeder is responsible and breed recognition has nothing to do with that. ASK your breeder of whatever dog you select for proof of health testing. Check on the temperament of the parents; no matter what the breed, the parents need to have good temperaments. Then you will know if your dog is worth the price.
Beverley Manners Co Founder of the Australian Labradoodle, VI 9/24/2011 8:42:19 AM There is a huge difference between the 'Labradoodle' and the 'Australian Labradoodle. The 'Labradoodle' can be a simple cross between Labrador Retriever and Poodle, or the result of a haphazzard cross breeding program. The Australian Labradoodle on the other hand has been developed systematically since 1989, has a Breed Standard, Registries across the world, and breeders who register their dogs are required to carry out stringent health testing on all their breeding dogs. The Australian Labradoodle is not a Designer Dog, far from it. It is a purpose bred dog developed to be an intuitive stable natured non shedding Assistance or Therapy Dog.
Anne Chicago, IL 2/26/2011 10:32:38 AM Listen 'Kim' designer dogs, mutts, shelterdogs are the best dogs and it's the rignt thing to do to adopt. Some owners think they're so great with their pure breed pedigrees but thheir dumb stuck up idiots. You're a jerk. Keep quite.
Anne Chicago, IL 2/26/2011 10:21:07 AM I have a Labradoodle and he's perfect. He plays, wins awards, and almost everybody on the south side of Chicago knows him.
Barbara Manchester, NJ 11/20/2010 2:37:13 PM I purchased a Cavachon about 5 months ago. I wanted a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel but after reading more about the breed I was leary. So I purchased the Cavachon because the Bischon seemed like a good mix. However, I have no idea what she will grow to be as an adult. Right now she's extremely playful and very loveable. Also very stubborn and I'm praying I don't have any health issues that can't be dealt with successfully. I don't think I'd go for a Designer breed again.
Kim South Bend, IN 10/17/2010 8:14:07 PM Designer dogs are ridiculous. Why pay thousands for a "designer" mutt when there are thousands of mutts being put down in shelters every day?
LIsa Oak Lawn, IL 8/25/2010 8:44:14 AM I have a Pomeranian/Miniature Schnauzer mix puppy who is almost 8 months old and is a really good dog. I didn't plan on getting a dog so soon after losing my beloved Yorkie but I fell in love with her at the pet store especially after hearing that she had been there for months, that no one wanted her and she was on sale. I thought she was a rather strange mixed breed but I'm so glad I got her. She is my "Babygirl"
faith DAYTON, OH 7/23/2010 3:14:12 PM I HAVE A MIX BREED BASSET HOUND/GERMAN SHEPHERD AND HE HAVE A SHEPHERD HEAD A HOUND BODY THE BAST DOG EVERY
PAT CURTICE, OH 5/17/2010 11:24:11 AM I CURRENTLY OWN A MALTIPOO. SHE JUST TURNED 2. SHE IS A VERY FRIENDLY AND PLAYFUL DOG.BOUGHT HER FROM AN AMISH BREEDER IN INDIANA.
Monroe Anderson, IN 3/25/2010 12:19:02 PM Looking for a Dobermine Pincher and Bull crossbreed. Does anyone do this now? I had one back in the 40's.
Loren Redmond, WA 3/6/2010 8:31:06 AM I had a Woggle Hound. Connie was Newfy Setter. Her parents were and English Setter dam and Newfoundland male. I rescued Connie From the local Humane Society after her owners were forced to give her up. She was one of the sweetest animals I have ever had the pleasure of owning. She had this tail that was absolutely huge and she wore it like a pendant with pride it curled up high over her back. When she was excited it would wag so hard there was no way she could walk a straight line. In-fact she would get so excited she would actually lead with her tail. She was the sheddingest dog I have ever had I could have sold her fir for wool and made huge profits. The point I am making is that Connie far more intelligent the any pure bread dog I have ever seen. My history with dogs dates back 60 years of owning several different recognized AKC registered breeds. She was a pure joy to be around. She had decorum and she wore her manners with pride. She new her boundaries in the house and never exceeded them. More then that she had a loyalty that exceeded any dog I have ever known. Designer dog I do not know, I think she was an accident. I new the owners of the parents and I new there dogs and neither of them would have chosen for there dogs to be parents. Life is funny that way There were three pups in the litter two mails and Connie the female. She was the runt of the litter and grew to 75 lbs. while her breathers were like their father 150 plus behemoths. In conclusion I would say that dogs are like humans some of the worst pedigrees have turned out to be some of the best people I have ever known. Sincerely, Loren Lewis
Kim Edmonton, AB 2/16/2010 3:25:08 PM Although various people in this article said that these mixed breeds can have health, physical, and behavior problems which I understand but I fail to see how is adopting a "designer dog" is a different scenario than adopting a mixed breed puppy from my local animal shelter or rescue group. Yes, these designer dogs are being breed by various reputable and not-so-reputable breeders for a growing public demand, however, why is this so bad? Are they saying that mixed breed dogs are bad? Granted, you may not know how the dog will turn out but the same can be said about even pure breed dogs.
joe vassalboro, ME 1/29/2010 3:23:46 PM hi my name is joe i live in maine and my aunt got this dog last year and the owner said he is japenes chin alaskan designer dog i have not been able to find out if the alaskan deigner dog is a breed or if it is just a japenes chin mixed with something like a poodle or is it a real breed please help me out i have alot of people wondering if he is a real dog he looks kinda strange tall back legs not much hair and all white with a poodle like head
shirley Winter Haven, FL 1/28/2010 8:29:57 AM I have a Multi-pom, (Multeese and Pomeranian) Doesn't shed or have dander. Sweetest personality. I know the mother and the dad. One is Multeese and the other pomeranian. Her sisters look multeese, but mine looks like a shish-su everyone says. I just think she is precious, I chose her cause she didn't look like the rest and she was the runt. But I always wonder why she was different.
Lori B. Lakewood, OH 1/21/2010 9:19:22 PM We have a 2 yr. old goldendoodle who is the sweetest, healthiest dog we've owned. After having owned 2 "purebred" goldens, we chose "oliver". Our purebred goldens, both had terrible medical problems. We had to put our 1st one down at the age of 6 due to severe seizures that medications could no longer control and our 2nd golden, had allergies and some aggression issues. The first breeder was a VET! Please understand some of us are not trying to "buy" designer breeds but just looking for sweet, healthy companionship. You can't knock it if you haven't tried it.
Patricia Chicago, IL 1/16/2010 9:59:56 AM We have a labradoodle that is going on 6 years. She is a real sweetie, but, loaded with allergies. She receives an expensive medication daily, and an allergy shot every 21 days. She is allergic to molds, grasses, and so many things. Luckily, not food. We love her dearly, and would not trade her for anything, but she is costly. We have an allergist who checked with New Zealand, the original breeding spot, and they told her that many of the dogs are loaded with allergies. Just something to think about.