"Designer" dogs

[StacyDub]

Not trying to open a can of worms here, but when you just casually search for Great Dane Puppies...you can't help but come across "GD/LABs" or "GD/Bull Mastiff"....

what's that ABOUT? I don't *get* it. WHY? Is there some justification that I'm missing?

[angeldane]

in most cases those are a quick cash litter, someone had a lab and a dane didn't bother getting either fixed and because of the CKC they can say they are papered. Many dane mastiff mix breeders claim dogs will be free of all genetic health defects and will live longer ect. Truth is a true Heinz 75 mutt dog is healthier on average but a cross breed designer dog are just as prone to health problems as a purebreed.
Basically no reason for the cross breed danes seen on puppy sites. Worst are the rather ugly dane poodles

[StacyDub]

I've never seen a dane poodle....We've joked about what an ugly litter Crash and Helmet would have had....a minipoodle/dane? EW. Have people SERIOUSLY done that??

[angeldane]

yeah someone had dane doodles they looked like black Irish wolfhounds, they took forever to sell too and had rough looking coats no curl at all.

[LoMax]

I own a dane/lab! She has all of the health problems of both breeds. Everyone thinks Murray is a Gladiator Dane, but he is just a big healthy Dane boy.

[lwrees72]

in most cases those are a quick cash litter, someone had a lab and a dane didn't bother getting either fixed and because of the CKC they can say they are papered. Many dane mastiff mix breeders claim dogs will be free of all genetic health defects and will live longer ect. Truth is a true Heinz 75 mutt dog is healthier on average but a cross breed designer dog are just as prone to health problems as a purebreed.
Basically no reason for the cross breed danes seen on puppy sites. Worst are the rather ugly dane poodles

I'm not sure that one can safely assume that a mutt is healthier than a purebred dog. I personally think this is a falacy. Yes, I understand there have been studies by polling random vet offices, but if you think about it, most purebred owners are more likely to take their dog to the vet, thus skewing the numbers that direction.

With the exception of routine annual exams I can count on one hand all the times I have been to the vet with purebred dogs and I have had them for almost 20 years.

[Susanne]

Man finally admits he may have been wrong

when he bred the first Lab/Poodle mix.

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle...#ixzz0nG1po1NK

[Adoc2be]

AND if you read the article, HE REGRETS HIS DECISION (and all of us who do not subscribe to cross breeding 'for purpose' to be okay, regret his decision too):

“I decided to stop mentioning the word crossbreed and introduced the term ‘labradoodle’ instead to describe my new allergy-free guide-dog pups,” he wrote.


The name caught on and interest in the labradoodle soared, but he began to worry about “backyard breeders producing supposedly allergy-free dogs for profit,” Conran wrote. He felt that he had opened up a Pandora’s box.


“Were breeders bothering to check their sires and bitches for hereditary faults, or were they simply caught up in delivering to hungry customers the next status symbol?” he wrote.


And, Conran added, “It’s not something I’m proud of. I wish I could turn the clock back

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle...#ixzz0nGEvq3UW

[Twin Bay Danes]

I'm not sure that one can safely assume that a mutt is healthier than a purebred dog. I personally think this is a falacy. Yes, I understand there have been studies by polling random vet offices, but if you think about it, most purebred owners are more likely to take their dog to the vet, thus skewing the numbers that direction.

With the exception of routine annual exams I can count on one hand all the times I have been to the vet with purebred dogs and I have had them for almost 20 years.

I think this is a very vailid point. I would also like to add:

Even if they receive regular vet care, how many people have their mixed-breed pets health tested in any way?? Only if they are displaying sypmtoms is there any query into what is causing lameness/discomfort, etc. Otherwise, they live out their lives with HD, DCM, or what have you, and no one is any the wiser.

[Rootlis]

A couple of other potential influences:
1) dog pound (as opposed to natural) selection: the really unhealthy mixed-breeds are euthanized rather than adopted
2) the squeaky wheel effect: people who happen to acquire very healthy mixed breeds tend to talk about it a lot, as living proof of "hybrid vigor", but people who acquire less healthy mixed breeds tend to keep quiet

[Gem Danes]

Amazed

I am amazed at the prices I have seen people charging for these "designer" breeds!

[Carter29072]

Yeah, my husband says he is gonna come up with his own new breeds. Like Bulldog and Shitzu = registered Bullshit! LOL! Kidding!

[hotelcali2202]

the problem with mutts (which I have nothing against) is that they can have the genetic defects of all of the breeds in the mix.

and a hybrid is of two species, not breeds.

this is a very hot topic for me, I hate when people bring up inbreeding when it comes to pure breds...

and even when I try and educate them, many just refuse to learn

[kahluadanes]

I can tell you that mixes be they crossbred or real honest to goodness heinz 57 are no healthier or longer lived then a purebred..actually a well bred, well cared for purebred is often healthier & longer lived then a mix of any type.
Mixes have cancers, thyroid issues, heart disease, kidney disease, eye issues,hip/elbow dysplasia, luxating paetella, etc every bit as often as purebreds..

As for as the Poodle croos , designer dog craze it is ridiculous....some of those breeds should never be crossed such as the Pug/Beagle (Puggle) this cross is riddled with health issues & deformities.

As far as the origional plan to cross Poodles & Labs/Goldens to create an allergy friendly "breed" that is absolutely 'crap" imo...there are already several allergy friendly established breeds out there...Purebred Poodles, Portugese Water Dogs, Irish Water Spaniels, Pudel Pointers all are of a proper size for Guide/Service dogs.Also breeding a heavy shedding breed with a low shedding breed is absolutely crazy...it will not result in a low shedding dog. Also there is no such thing as hypoallergenic dogs...it is not the hair or shedding that is the issue....it is dander mainly dander mixed with saliva..all dogs have skin, all dogs have saliva therefore all dogs can cause allergy flares in sensative people.


Dale

[Pops2]

yeah i'll say it again
while i don't approve of the junk "designer dog" breeding going on, pretty much every breed currently exists or at least the way it is now due to crossbreeding (usually for function).