If you’re in the market for a new dog, you may have noticed the recent trend of new crossbreeds that are the hot new trend for dog lovers. Many of the new “designer mutts” have been the result of unlikely pairings such as the pug an beagle (creating a puggle), the schnauzer and the poodle (better known as a schnoodle), and the golden retriever and the poodle, resulting in one of the most popular new mixes, the goldendoodle dog breed. But as Debbye Turner, resident veterinarian for CBS’s The Daily Show, recently discussed, knowing what to expect when considering a crossbreed over a pure breed will definitely help interested parties know what to expect. A great place to start is learning the pros and cons of adopting one of the new “designer mutts.”
The first thing to keep in mind when considering a crossbreed is that in many cases, predicting what the dog will be like as an adult is more difficult than knowing what one can expect with a pure bred. While this will likely change in the future for the more popular cross breeds that will eventually breed amongst themselves without the need of purebreds, as long as the purebreds are needed to create the cross, the outcomes will definitely vary. Another thing to keep in mind is that new cross breeds are not recognized by major kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club, so if you’re interested in participating in dog shows, your options may be limited. The most popular crossbreeds can also be very expensive, costing upwards of $1000 per puppy, and can be difficult to find.
The good news about crossbreeds is that in many cases they can end up healthier and live longer than their purebred predecessors. Some even claim that crossbreeds are smarter, thanks to an influx of new genetic material.
On paper, it seems that the cons outweigh the pros, but in truth, new crossbreeds like the goldendoodle are pushing their way to the head of the pack thanks to their numerous good qualities. Because the goldendoodle’s purebred parents are completely unrelated, the result is a “hybrid vigor,” or the phenomenon in which the new breed grows healthier and stronger than either of its predecessors. Fantastic family dogs, these medium sized dogs are super friendly, affectionate, easy to train, and tolerant of strangers. The only downside is their inability to be alone for long stretches of time, so they might not be a good choice for those families where everyone works out of the home.
