Mutts, by any other name, are all the rage. Mixed-breed dogs, once the domain of U.S. animal shelters and born by accident, are being sought by an increasing number of Americans looking for special pooches. Intentionally bred and cutely named, today's special-order mixes have newfound status and a purebred price tag.
These coveted mixes, some of which may bring a breeder up to $4,000, are the Labradoodle, a cross between the Labrador and the Poodle; the Schnoodle, a Schnauzer-Poodle mix; the Goldendoodle, a Golden retriever-Poodle mix; the Cockapoo, a Cocker spaniel-Poodle match; and the Yorkipoo, a cross between a Yorkshire terrier and a Poodle. Oh, and we mustn’t forget the Bagel, a mix between a Basset hound and a Beagle. The list could go on and on.
The Doodle- dog' craze seems to have stemmed from the combination of the Poodle's low-shedding, allergy-friendly coat with the specifically desired qualities of these other breeds.
NOT AN ACCIDENT
The Labradoodle was first intentionally bred in Australia in the 1970s and has its roots there as a guide dog for allergy sufferers, according to Beverly Manners, founder of Rutland Manor Labradoodle Breeding and Research Center in Victoria, Australia.
Most allergists believe that no dog is 100 percent allergy-free, and often as dogs grow older their coats can change and become more troublesome for allergy sufferers.
Labradoodles, the most popular mix, most often costs between $895 and $2,195, depending on coat and color; pricier than some of the other 150 registered purebred dogs. Schnoodles and other mixes are considerably less, starting at $350.
Breeders all over the world report long waiting lists for special mixes. Depending on Mother Nature and what specific criteria a potential owner wants, the wait can be anywhere from a few months to more than a year.
HOW ARE THEY BRED?
Mixed-breeding techniques vary from breeder to breeder. For example, some breeders cross Labradoodles with Labradoodles, occasionally adding in a Poodle to "correct" the dog's coat or disposition, while others mix a Labrador with a Poodle each time.
The Labradoodle could be eligible for American Kennel Club recognition if there are at least 300 of them in at least 20 states with three documented generations of Labradoodle to Labradoodle mixing. A national breed club is also required.
Some animal experts believe cross breeding -- either for one generation or for several -- uses the best characteristics of two dogs to create one "superdog". Occasionally purebred dogs inherit negative qualities if in-breeding occurs. Some will also argue that, overall, Mixed-breed dogs are healthier and aren't as likely to have inherited problems.
Of course, there are plenty of other experts that say that claim is pure rubbish and remind us on the flip side that they relish the idea of knowing what to expect from their pure bred pups since the reliability of a doodle dogs' looks is not 100 percent.
GOOD DOGS
No matter who’s arguing what to whom, there is no doubt that every dog, pure bred, special-ordered combinations or regular mutts, can be a good dog. Each is different and has its own unique qualities and quirks that make them a good or a not so good match for any given individual or family. Do your homework, find out what you can about the temperament of the dog’s mother, the family that may have raised it, etc. A pure bred dog may have more predictable characteristics, true, but a mixed breed will likely have a combination of characteristics from the breeds it came from. Whatever dog you choose, be certain the choice is well thought out and that it’s the right dog for you.
