While the trend to produce hybrid or designer dogs is
considered new it is, in fact, a continuation of the
centuries-old practice of selective breeding. Basically
every breed of dog is a "mutt" in the sense that every type
of dog was created by interbreeding different types of dogs
to produce a breed with a certain set of desirable
characteristics. All dog breeds were bred for a particular
purpose, usually some form of hunting, herding, or guarding.
These tasks have been largely replaced by the need to
produce healthy dogs with good temperaments as domestic
companions or pets. Breeding two different breeds often
allows the best traits of both parents to pass through.
However, the difference between a designer mutt and a
purebred dog is generations of breeding a dog that looks and
acts almost exactly the same. Most 'hybrid' dogs are only
first generation crosses, and are never taken further to
actually be considered selectively bred. The most selection
made is to select one breed (usually a poodle or cocker
spaniel) to breed to any and every breed out there.This
has resulted in a surge of popularity for certain crosses in
which a desirable mix of traits occurs. The Labradoodle, for
example, was first bred as an attempt to develop guide dog
for visually impaired people with allergies. Unfortunately,
the popularity of hybrids such as "Labradoodles" has
resulted in rampant, and often unscrupulous, breeding. The
resulting pups do not reliably demonstrate the desirable
characteristics, such as a hypo-allergenic coat, that the
original breeders were attempting to standardize, because
they consist of only first or second generation crosses, and
do not hold a standard, and cannot be bred reliably for the
same outcome.
Dog hybrids are not recognized by the main breed
registries, as they only register purebred dogs. New breeds
of dogs must have a breed club that will document the
ancestry of any individual member of that breed from the
original founding dogs of the breed; when the kennel club
that the breed club wishes to join is satisfied that the
dogs are purebred, they will accept and register the dogs of
that breed. Each kennel club has individual rules about how
to document a new breed. Hybrid dogs, created by breeding
two purebred dogs of different breeds (crossbred), have the
advantage of heterosis, or hybrid vigor, and are often
stronger and healthier than either of the parents. This
advantage is lost when two hybrids are bred in the attempt
to create a breed. The best way to continue taking advantage
of hybrid vigor is from the breeding of two different
purebred breeds.
The main reason that most people want to have a registered
dog is so that they can participate in dog sports. Many
show-giving organizations do not require dogs to be purebred
in order to register for participation in dog sports. The
exception is the sport of conformation showing, which
requires the dogs to be highly standardized, and so requires
the dogs to be registered as purebred.
More Information About Hybrid Dog
Breeds:
American Canine Hybrid Club, ACHC
List of hybrids dogs recognized by the American Canine
Hybrid Club
Designer Dogs - Your Guide to Hybrid Dog Breeds
There are tons of great dogs to choose from including
several new "hybrid dog breeds" or "designer dogs!"
Hybrid dog breeds: Cockapoo : Article on Helium
Cockapoos (or Cockerpoos) probably the first official hybrid
breed.
Crossbreeds, Designer Dogs, Hybrid, Mixed
Breeds Resources
Classified ads for Hybrid, Crossbreeds, Designer Dogs, Mixed
Breeds dog breeds
What Do You Call that Hybrid Dog?
Puggle, Dorkie, Labradoodle, Yorkiepoo.. aren't they just
the cutest names?
The
Official Home of the Puggle Hybrid Dog Breed
Puggle dog community with pictures and puggle puppies for
sale and rescue.
List Of Hybrid Dogs & Their Unusual Mixed-Breed Names
According to the American Canine Hybrid Club, here are some
of the recognized hybrid breeds & their unique mixed-breed
names
Mix Breed Dogs, Designer Puppies for Sale, Breeders
Hot Hybrid Dog Breeds - Video
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The following is a list of hybrid dogs. A
dog hybrid is the offspring of parents of two
different purebred dog breeds, more commonly
called a crossbreed or crossbred in animal
breeding. Crossbreeding (parents of two
different purebred breeds) results in offspring
that may be stronger and healthier than either
parent, an effect called hybrid vigour.