Hybrid Dogs

These days, hybrid dogs—or a mix of more than one purebred dog—are a popular choice for families. But what separates a hybrid Schnoodle or a Goldendoodle from their purebred kin? All in all, many purebreds were created by crossing various other breeds at some point.

Purebred dogs have national breed clubs that provide information about the breed. Though the Goldendoodle is a crossbreed, a national organization called the Goldendoodle Association of North America supports responsible breeding and pet ownership. GANA member breeders agree to abide by the association’s code of ethics, which is designed to ensure that breeders are responsibly producing healthy dogs, marketing puppies conscientiously, and educating potential puppy owners on the proper care of Goldendoodles.

Whether a new kind of dog becomes a recognized breed depends on three respects: time and trial and error. Breeders choose dogs with the traits they want and breed them with each other over several generations to achieve a consistent size, appearance, and temperament.

The appeal of so-called “designer dogs” is often in simply owning something other than a run-of-the-mill purebred. However, problems occur when breeders promise that a particular cross will be hypoallergenic or healthier than a purebred or will combine the best traits of each breed. This kind of a conclusion sounds delightful and cheerful, but it is not always true and reliable.

All dogs shed, produce dander, have saliva, and urinate, and all of these are approaches that allergens are spread. Just because a dog is a product of a certain cross is no guarantee they are free from the allergen.

Some suggest that a cross of two breeds enjoys hybrid vigor, which means the broader gene bank makes them healthier. That might be true for the first generation of a hybrid. But as successive generations are bred, there is a higher chance of carrying through the genetic vulnerabilities of breeds.

Genetic characteristics sort out randomly, so it could not make an assurance that you will get the best of each breed. We should realize that no matter what the breed or mix, it is a certain fact that an individual dog may be more or less allergenic, intelligent, or healthy.

Overall, you may be better off going to your local shelter and selecting a dog designed by the best in the business: Mother Nature.