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There is a new trend, called designer dogs. What is a designer dog? A designer dog is a hybrid or a crossbreed between two different breeds where the percentage of the breed is known, unknown breeds or mixtures are called mixed breeds.

In designer dogs, the breeding is carefully chosen. Some may think that hybrid dogs is a new trend, but actually it is centuries old and is known as selective breeding. Designer dogs were made for a certain purpose, to bring out the best in the animals capabilities, such as guarding, herding, hunting, or sports for example.

Only later, did other breeding reasons come in, such as the Labradoodle whom was created for the seeing impaired that also suffered from dog hair or pet dander related allergies.

The reason behind the cross was because Poodles do not shed like a pure bread Lab would and using the Lab offered intelligence. Therefore, by combining the two breeds they were able to offer the best of both animals.

Now days, designer dogs have become the latest fashion statement and are considered cute and adorable. One particular breed made famous by Queen Elizabeth was called Dorgis. A Dorgis is a mixture of Dachshund and Welsh Corgi.

The most desirable designer dogs are Poodle mixes because Poodles shed very little if at all. A well known mix is the Cockapoo which is a mixture of the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle which has been around since the 1970's.

The list for hybrids is huge because of their popularity, however not all designer dogs are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Following is a partial list of hybrids you might see in your local newspaper.

Airedoodle (Airedale/Poodle)
Bepherd (Beagle/German Shepard)
Bogle (Boxer/ Beagle)
Brat (Boston Terrier/Rat Terrier)
Borderjack (Border Collie/Jack Russell Terrier)
Borderstaffy (Border Collie/Staffordshire Bull Terrier)
Dorki (Dachshund/Yorkshire Terrier)
Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever/Poodle)
Malipoo (Maltese/Poodle)
Peke-A-Poo (Pekingese/Poodle)
Pom-A-Poo (Pomeranian/Poodle)
Puggles (Pug/Beagle)
Raggle (Rat Terrier/Beagle)
Roodle (Rottweiler/Poodle)
Schnoodles (Schnauzer/Poodle)
Sheprador (Australian Shepard/Poodle)
ShiChi (Shih Tzu/Chihuahua)

Just saying the names of some of these hybrids puts a smile on a persons face, but one reason a person might be interested in a designer dog over that of a pure breed dog is for the simple reason that mixed dog breeds are reported to live healthier and longer lives. Considering that I myself love dogs, living a healthier and longer life is very important to me.

Works Cited:
Trivedi, Bajal P., "What's a Labradoodle Designer Dog or Just another Mutt" National Geographic News February 9, 2004 http://news.nationalgreographi c.com/news/2004/01/0115_040115 _tvdesignerdogs.html (accessed 8/21/07)
Wikipedia "Dog hybrids and crossbreeds" http://en.wikipedia.org (accessed 8/21/07)
American Canine Hybrid Club "American Canine Hybrid Club Hybrid Breeds" http://www.achclub.com/modlule s.php?name=Breeders (accessed 8/21/07)

Learn more about this author, Jeanie Pitner.
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