Comments on: Breed profile: Labradoodle

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:18:01 +0000

Thanks!

By: PSM

PSM — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:59:43 +0000

This is a very informative article, and that pic was so interesting, at first I thought that was his coat, too cute. Breeding could be revolutionary, but I hope the health and condition of the dogs and the incoming puppies are in the top of the keys to consider and ensure..

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:48:11 +0000

Ha! Good point. The schnoodle should definitely be on that list!

By: Paul Wiezorek

Paul Wiezorek — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:15:52 +0000

My Schnoodle Wally wants a shout out on your list of doggies! They are a pretty popular mix.

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:03:52 +0000

I wouldn’t seek one out either. But adopting one is great!

By: Carole

Carole — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:15:01 +0000

I wouldn’t seek out a “breeder” of a designer dog, but I adopted my Beagador (Beagle – Lab x) from a rescue, and she is terrific.

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:58:12 +0000

I’m with you, I’ll just adopt a “designer” dog that needs rescuing like I did with my “Labrapointerhound.”

By: Apryl

Apryl — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:01:59 +0000

Shibadox? Wow, there are some interesting combos out there. I always see very specific designer breeds around here and then there are a bunch of them up for adoption after people get tired of them and are on to the next. It’s pretty sad.

Personally, I’ll just stick to rescuing whomever needs it and wants to come with me when I’m out to adopt again.

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 02:06:22 +0000

Thanks for your comment, and good points. I own a typical mutt and don’t have much to say about breed standards or designer breeds. It is unfortunate that so many dog breeds suffer from health problems because of irresponsible breeding.

You’re right that purebred dogs are not automatically more valuable. Look at all the purebred dogs in rescues and shelters. Still, I don’t think anyone can argue that many people are breeding “designer dogs” strictly as a way to make money.

By: Jack Russell Lover

Jack Russell Lover — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:48:07 +0000

I personally am all for mix breeds, as long as it’s done responsibly (exactly the same for purebreds). The reason is simple – if you breed “purebred” dogs for too many generations in a row, you end up with terrible health defects. This is why every single registered breed has its own specific health problems.

Breeding between breeds helps to avoid these problems and can lead to longer lifespans – if done knowledgeably and repsonsibly, as I said. It’s called the heterosis effect. Bear in mind also that pretty much every breed you see today is simply a mix of older breeds, many of which are now extinct. Simply put, it’s unhealthy and unnatural to try to maintain a “breed standard” for too long without outcrossing.

As for the argument that it’s simply a way to “make a lot of money” – since when are purebred dogs automatically more valuable? It’s been a while since Econ101, but as I recall price is determined by market supply and demand, and many cross breeds are in demand these days, hence high prices.