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What Is It With Designer Dogs?

The Menagerie
#101

The DNA testing of dogs to tell you what breeds it contains is a SCAM.

no, not. Read the research on it. I myself have sent a number of known samples to several different companies and gotten very reliable results. There is a slight possibility they can mix your sample up with someone else’s sample.

The problem is people don’t interpret the results of these tests properly.

People frequently think “mutts” are descended from “purebreds” but it’s not true. “Purebreds” are all descended from mutts; the concept of a “pure breed” is quite a new one; and many, possibly most, mutts have no purebreds in their ancestry at all, and quite a few lines of “purebreds” have had relatively recent infusions of non-purebred DNA via accidents and who knows what else.

What usually happens is you get a cute dog from the shelter and everyone guesses it’s a “boxer-collie-lab-corgi” mix or whatever, and you get the results back from the company listing ten different highly improbable breeds as “possible ancestors” or “contributing DNA” and so you say how silly, it must be wrong.

What it actually means is you have a “purebred mutt” on your hands. Let’s say it says that the “golden retriever” is a contributor in your dogs mix. This doesn’t mean your dog is necessarily a golden retriever mix- what it means is that one of the dogs that was an ancestor in the lines leading to current golden retrievers is also an ancestor of your dog.
Well, the golden retriever as a breed was only invented in the late 1800’s in Scotland by crossing some retriever-types with some local spaniel-types, inbreeding the result and adding in a few other doses of genetics here and there like setters and even a type of hound. So YOUR dog could be descended from any one of the dogs that were also used to produce the golden retriever, thus you see a genetic link to the golden retriever. Or, possibly, way back when, one of the early golden retrievers was an actual ancestor of your dog.
You can see if you send in a purebred sample, they will be likely to pick up “contributors” to the breed’s development and make you angry that either the test isn’t accurate or your dog isn’t actually a “purebred”. Well, all purebreds are descended from mutts, and it wasn’t that long ago that there really weren’t any purebreds. Very few of our current “purebreeds” existed prior to the 1800’s.
some of the more reputable DNA companies are now offering tests to identify purebreds. I would guess they’ve tweaked how they interpret the results so they can leave out the “contributors” in the tests designed to identify purebreds.

#102

[QUOTE=Guin;6558680]
I agree. That “rescue” could have taken care of 10 or 15 otherwise healthy animals for that kind of money. If a “rescue” spends $5000 on one stray dog for surgery instead of helping fifteen others, there’s no way I’d pay them any kind of adoption fee.[/QUOTE]

But what if there werent any others to rescue? This particular rescue takes in poms and pom crosses. What is the problem fixing them, when there ARENT 15 more to take in? This dog was clearly not a stray, but an owner surrender.

Animal services and the humane society will fix broken legs etc. They also never turn away dogs. So whats the problem?

I think some people are assuming this area is flooded with strays and no place for them to go. Animal shelters here are NOT packed with dogs. Good on the area I think!

Im not one to agree spending $5000 is the best use of money, but if they continue to take in dogs that require homes, its not my say in what they do with their money. This rescue is not funded by tax payers, so who am I to judge them on how they spend their money?

I would rather give a rescue money than a breeder who purpousfully bred the mutt!

#103

In situations where the owners cannot afford a $5000 surgery and they surrender the dog and the non-profit performs the surgery and adopts the dog out to new owners who pay $250, I often think it’s sad that they can’t give the dog back to the original owners whose only crime is not having the money to spend $5000 on surgery for a pet. Chances are, the new owners don’t either. The pet would probably be happier with its original family in most cases.
I know it’s unworkable, but I always think it’s a bit sad for the dog and it’s family.

#104

Its a catch 22…

If a rescue spends $5000 to help a dog, they have to get the money from somewhere. Unless that have some financial backing beside adoptions, that is the only place they can pay for the money spent. If rescues end up charge the same price as breeders or close to it, most people will go to a breeder.

In my case I wanted to adopt, everywhere I looked priced themselves out of what I wanted to spend. I knew there was going to be additional costs after I took in another dog. I wanted to be responsible for the animals I was caring for. At present, 3 horses, two dogs, an inside cat and a feral cat colony.

#105

[QUOTE=NCRider;6558975]
In situations where the owners cannot afford a $5000 surgery and they surrender the dog and the non-profit performs the surgery and adopts the dog out to new owners who pay $250, I often think it’s sad that they can’t give the dog back to the original owners whose only crime is not having the money to spend $5000 on surgery for a pet. Chances are, the new owners don’t either. The pet would probably be happier with its original family in most cases.
I know it’s unworkable, but I always think it’s a bit sad for the dog and it’s family.[/QUOTE]

I know, I always feel that way. I supose the “system” would be very abused though.

Getting back on the toic of designer dogs - this dog (probably a yorkiepom or whatever they are called) likely had a genetic predisposition for liver shunt. Sad that this situation even had to happen in the first place.

#106

[QUOTE=Alagirl;6555974]
From Orkie?[/QUOTE]

:lol: :lol:

#107

[QUOTE=mayhew;6556050]
Hell yes I would pay more for a mutt than an AKC genetic nightmare.[/QUOTE]

And if it’s called a Moodle, it would probably cost more! :wink:

Or maybe a Muddle?

#108

The rescue group we volunteer with has an emergency medical fund for people who can’t afford unexpected vet costs. It’s usually done initially through the vet we use (ie, our rescue group’s normal vet has a client whose dog or cat is unexpectedly ill, vet contacts us) but sometimes the owners contact the group first. We use our usual vet, they perform the procedure or administer treatment at their discounted rescue rate, owner pays what they can, and we supply the difference. We don’t have a ton of money, but where we live is SO poor that these unexpected bills aren’t necessarily hugely expensive, but still out of reach of many residents. Many times the owners pay us back close to what we paid, even if it’s in the form of $5/week. We also have donors who typically give money strictly for the emergency medical fund. The program is small, but any time we can keep pets in their own homes, it ultimately makes it easier for us! :slight_smile: There are times though that the owners don’t want to feel ‘indebted’ to us, and would prefer to surrender the animal. Or they aren’t willing or able to follow the recovery and aftercare. I agree it is an often uncomfortable position to be in…

In another note, about the names. I do think the ‘oodle’ business has something to do with the popularity. But looks are a big part of it too, and time and again, people just really like small fluffy poofballs, or big scruffy snuffaluffagous types, which many poodle mixes do look like. As people have also said, many think that you can just get a nonshedding dog and not have to do anything to the coat. Ohhhhh on the contrary! But trying my hand at grooming is fun! And sometimes hilarious… But before that, yep mega bucks on grooming appointments. This ignorance is there when people buy purebred dogs that don’t shed too though. I’ve seen way too many shi tzu, lhasas, and mini poodles in deplorable condition, surrendered to ac and never groomed once in their lives. THAT’S fun to deal with…!

And I know it annoys people when I use the ‘Schnoodle’ term, but I’m not sure why it makes some people SO annoyed :slight_smile: it mainly just cracks me up! Especially when spoken with varying inflection and drawn out as long as possible. Schnoo 2 loves it! :wink:
Aaaaand yes, for your viewing pleasure, picture of the poodle mixes
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/299792_10100772965677430_21943610_n.jpg.
left to right, Daisy, golden mix, the one my parents bought as a puppy (and are embarrassed to admit, especially since all the other dog park friends are rescues!), Scuba my schnauzer mix (oft referred to as Schnoo1), Scout the boxer mix, and Lulu my other schnauzer mix, in desperate need of a hair cut…

#109

[QUOTE=maunder;6556820]
I have a Pekingese, Poodle mix that also looks like there is Pug in there too.

Hmmm. Maybe I should call her a PekePooUg? A PooPeeUg? PugOooEek? :lol:

Lots of people want to know her breed because they think she should be purebred. Don’t know why. One man asked and I said Pekingese Poodle and he responded, “Oh. I’ve never heard of that breed”. He thought they were special poodles bred in Peking. :wink:

Now I just tell people she’s a Pekingese mix and then they argue with me. ;)[/QUOTE]

A Pooka. A Puck?

Voiceover from Westminster as the Designer Group enters the ring:

The Lesser Muttoodle was developed by crossing the nonshedding Tiny Teacup Poodle with the Greater YardDog for the purpose of creating a dog that would fit in a shoulder bag without either shedding or otherwise befouling the interior of the bag. The Greater YardDog was chosen for the cross because the YardDog varieties were developed to never eliminate anywhere BUT in the yard. The Lesser Muttoodle comes in two varieties, the curly coat and the noncoat; other than coat, the standard for the two varieties is the same. The coated variety comes in two colors: PBP (pink-and-brown particolor), and the zebra-striped ACCBAW (any color combination but black and white). The Lesser Muttoodle is a tiny, proud, clean dog with a fondness for satin, sequins, and faux cocodrie. This is Lesser Muttoodle Number One Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty-Eight.

#110

^^nicely done!! It felt like I was there, in the stands! Hehehehe

#111

[QUOTE=bits619;6559162]
^^nicely done!! It felt like I was there, in the stands! Hehehehe[/QUOTE]

Thanks. Your post made my day … :yes:

#112

I read a really good article in a Golden Rescue magazine recently which basically pointed out that any breed or crossbreed being bred by “backyard” breeders are causing considerable problems to dogs as a species. These people are often breeding for profit. Its not that I don’t think good breeder shouldn’t make a profit but it is rare that the good breeders do. Typically backyard breeders don’t do sufficient veterinary care with their breeding dogs even if they do have vet checks done on the puppies.

But ultimately it is NOT the breeders that are the problem. It is the people buying these dogs that are the problem. As long as there is a market there will be breeders. People buying puppies need to be more pro-active. They need to see the living conditions, the parents, the health records on the parents. Even just vaccine records or when was the last time a fecal was done on an adult living on the property. Prospective buyers need to educate themselves on why taking a 5 week old puppy isn’t good for longterm socialization of the dog. The need to educate themselves on breed specific diseases, and in the case of a Designer dog, that means 2 different breeds!! They should ask the breeders what kind of preventive medication they use and why they feed what they feed. They should ask how many litters the bitch has had and when they started breeding. And prospective buyers NEED to smart enough to walk away from badly bred dogs whether they are purebreds or crossbreds.

Thats my soapbox. I have the most perfect mutt ever (best guess heeler/shep/b.collie) and a DSH (who is a flame pt tabby and most ppl would call a siamese cross! lol) both who were found in the ditch. I highly recommend ‘ditch’ pets. :slight_smile:

#113

Many people think that they are ‘rescuing’ a dog when they buy from a pet store. Little do they know that $600 dog was bought at an auction for about $50, shipped to a pet store at too young an age so it’ll be cute enough to attract a buyer, and came from not so perfect parents.

A friend of mine won’t adopt a dog for $300 when she can buy her next Pom for the same amount. I tried explaining what the adoption fee includes (shots, spay/neuter/worming) but she just thinks about the cost. If she’s that picky now, how much is she willing to spend on routine vet care, quality food, etc? Her last pom was never spayed and had to have an emergency spay when in her senior years.

I’ve seen so many tiny DD treated like children, dressed like kids, and not housetrained or have any basic obedience. Just like spoiled kids.

#114

I have a friend whose elderly purebred cat died last year. Within a month my friend had bought a kitten of the same breed from a local “breeder.”
Kitten was the runt of his litter, had picked up something from the breeder’s communal litter box, and died within a month.
Three months later my friend goes out and buys two more purebred kittens from a different local “breeder”.
So far these two are well.
I suggested going to a breed rescue, if not the nearest reputable general rescue/shelter and adopting a good healthy cat.
I don’t know how many hundreds my friend spent on the purchase price and subsequent vet bills.
Reading this thread I realize that a rescue DSH or “mutt” kitty might have cost nearly as much, at least the basic purchase price.
But as you say, it’s the buyers who encourage the breeding.

#115

We have a super amazingly wonderful client who does a lot of rescue/ death row shelter pulls. She pulled this pitiful looking obviously Shih Tzu who was about to explode she was so pregnant! Not a week later this sweetheart dropped a litter of pups we all swore looked like Pitties. Brindle and all! We started calling them the “Shih a Bulls” pronounced of course “shitabulls”. Took her about a week to come back with them being “Pit Tzus!!”. Gave us a good laugh, and everybody who wound up adopting them joked about their $50 desiginer breed.

To me, the only good thing about this desiginer craze is the ability to make a joke of it and make the true mutts have even more fun varieties for names than Heinz 57, or LBD(Little Brown Dog).

And what kind of arsehole do you have to be to cross a beagle, who LIVES TO TRACK SCENTS, with a Pug, who has NO F’N NOSE?!?!?!

#116

[QUOTE=Wellspotted;6559140]
A Pooka. A Puck?

Voiceover from Westminster as the Designer Group enters the ring:

The Lesser Muttoodle was developed by crossing the nonshedding Tiny Teacup Poodle with the Greater YardDog for the purpose of creating a dog that would fit in a shoulder bag without either shedding or otherwise befouling the interior of the bag. The Greater YardDog was chosen for the cross because the YardDog varieties were developed to never eliminate anywhere BUT in the yard. The Lesser Muttoodle comes in two varieties, the curly coat and the noncoat; other than coat, the standard for the two varieties is the same. The coated variety comes in two colors: PBP (pink-and-brown particolor), and the zebra-striped ACCBAW (any color combination but black and white). The Lesser Muttoodle is a tiny, proud, clean dog with a fondness for satin, sequins, and faux cocodrie. This is Lesser Muttoodle Number One Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty-Eight.[/QUOTE]

You have definitely spent too much time watching dog shows! That was spot on accurate parody.

#117

[QUOTE=Horsegal984;6559596]

And what kind of arsehole do you have to be to cross a beagle, who LIVES TO TRACK SCENTS, with a Pug, who has NO F’N NOSE?!?!?![/QUOTE]

In some cases, possibly with the hope that the beagle genes will be dominant and put a more prominent nose on the dog than the Pug face?

#118

I think a big part of this “problem” is the lack of education the common person has with regards to what to look for/the BS that some of these designer breeders throw out there like “hypoallergenic”.

If you’re going to pay big bucks for something, things like OFA, CERFs when appropriate, meeting the parents, etc etc are things I feel are a must. Yet do you think I could convince my own husband of that? I mean, if you’re going to drop a couple of grand on a dog, then by goodness, I want to have the best possible scenario to start with.

If you’re going to throw all that out the window, why in the heck would you do anything more than evaluate the dog in front of you, pay less, and take what you get–which is likely to be a great family dog ANYWAY?

As for the hypoallergenic BS, it drives me batty. I won’t soap box on that for now. But good gravy, it’s not the hair that’s the problem. It’s the dander. And even my purebred standard poodle WILL shed hair to some extent. Not like my lab obviously, but I can assure you, there is poodle hair being shed. Now cross a poodle with a lab and there’s no consistent outcome. AND it’s the dander, not the hair.

Argh.

#119

My son is highly allergic to dogs, so my husband was overjoyed when he discovered that you can now buy a Cockerpoo that is hypo-allergenic!!!

Oi. :dead:

Now, my husband is a highly intelligent, highly evolved human being. But he doesn’t know squat about dogs.

Promise, we will never own one of those designer dogs. Ever. But, left to his own devices, he would head out and get one so he could have a dog around that our son could have in the house.

Designer breeders see a market and leverage it. And people fall for it. The losers of course are the dogs.

:rolleyes:

#120

If she looks like that, she’s a seriously cute pup. :yes:

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