We here at wikiFido have heard the word. As a community of dog lovers, we love all dogs... big and small, short or tall -- gotta love those dogs! However, the FidoGate controversy behind "designer dogs" rages on and we want to hear your well-reasoned thoughts on the topic. Read more about the controversy and post your thoughts here.

The Controversy Behind Designer Dogs

There is, however, a recent trend in the intentional cross breeding of purebred dogs to create a hybrid which has purportedly the most desirable characteristics of both parental breeds. Purebred dogs are chosen intentionally to form a hybrid to give the new pups the desirable characteristics of that particular breed. For example, the poodle is a widely used dog in this type of breeding for its low shedding and hypoallergenic qualities.

Typically a source of controversy, these designer crossbreed dogs generally call for a premium in price because they are bred for certain traits. They will usually exhibit the characteristics of one of the primary breeds or fall somewhere between. Because the intentional breeding of two purebreds to achieve specific traits is relatively new, the results are difficult to predict with reliability, and those who are interested should certainly invest time in research before making any decisions.

These intentional crossbreeds are a current source of controversy among the dog community. Although there are often times a name associated with the crossbreed, for example, "puggle," representing a pug / beagle crossbreed, there is neither an officail breed established for this hybrid or any form of registry. Many argue that the intentional crossbreeding of these dogs encourages more widespread breeding of high-priced dogs, when there are similar dogs that currently fill shelters and are euthanized for lack of homes.

Proponents of these designer crossbreeds argue that responsible breeding is key for any type of dog, and not isolated to intentional crossbreeds. Further, they argue that the intentional crossbreeds may eliminate some of the breed-related genetic disorders that plague certain breeds. However, many breeds do share similar health problems, such as hip dysplasia and patella luxation, making them just as at risk as purebreds for such problems. Some may also argue that because these "designer dogs" are not being shown and there is no established organization of breeders, breeders are not held to certain standards regarding the health and soundness of their breeding stock, and therefore their dogs may be more susceptible to certain illnesses.

While the arguments are heated on both sides of the controversy, there are a few certainties. First, before you bring any dog into your household, you should research the types of dogs that are available and find the best fit for your household. There are so many avenues to research! You can choose a puppy or a senior, visit a shelter or a breeder, choose a purebred or a loveable mutt. So many options and so much to consider! However, the bottom line for whatever you choose to do is simple: Be informed! One thing that all dog lovers agree on, is that responsible ownership of any dog is one big step in the right direction.

Additional Readings:

Dogs by Design, The Dog Channel
ABC News: Are Designer Dog Trends Bad for Dogs?
New York Times: The Modern Kennel Conundrum
Dog Info Center: Hybrid Dog Information


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