Have you ever considered purchasing a designer dog? Before you do, it’s good to know exactly what a designer dog is. Designer dogs are considered to be dogs that are breed using two different purebred dogs.  The resulting offspring should have the dominant and desirable traits of both parents, but look like a mixture of both. When you breed a Poodle with a Cocker Spaniel the outcome results in a very popular hybrid or designer breed often referred to as the Cockapoo. Now, a Cockapoo is described as a very small to medium sized dog that looks very much like a Cocker Spaniel.  A Cocker Spaniel is considered to be more of a low shedding and hypoallergenic than the very first purebred Cocker.
 
One of the primary reasons that designer or hybrid dogs are becoming so popular is because they are being breed to correct health or genetic issues that are in the original purebred dog.  For instance, a good example of this type is the all popular Puggle. A Puggle is a mixture of a Pug and a Beagle. As a result, it is a little larger Pug type dog or a slightly smaller Beagle type dog. This dog is also know to have breathing and eye problems often found in the purebred Pug are usually minimized in the Puggle because the Beagle genetics make the nose a little longer and it corrects the slightly bulging eyes of the Pug.

Efficient designer dog breeders understand the genetic, temperament, and health of a cross breeding.  The problem with cross breeding is that you can either end up with a new breed free of problems or a new breed full of problems.  If healthy, well socialized dogs of either breed are used the designer dog has a better chance of processing the dominant traits of their parents. 

When dog breeders achieve a designer dog that carries the traits that are desired they will continue to breed second, and third generation crosses until they get the perfect breed. Once this is achieved the hybrid can be placed in a category of “true breeding.”  This is also referred to as breeding true.  When breeders can produce these hybrid dogs consistently with the specific traits that are desired they have accomplished the first step of becoming a recognized breed.

Since, designer dogs are breed under special conditions they can cost more than a purebred dog.  Due to the demand for hybrid dogs new ordinary people are getting into the breeding business.  Due to the fact that these dogs are not recognized pure breeds and even if they are recognized by the Major Kennel Club registries. Keep in mind that they will not be able to compete in various dog shows through the AKC, or any other Kennel Clubs.

Before you even consider purchasing an Airedoodle, Cockapoo, Jack-chi, Puggle or even a Yorkinese, we suggest that you check with your local animal rescue or shelter. Several designer dogs end up at local shelters and need good loving homes to live in.