PTertacks Jan Jaeger
DESIGNER DOGS

Designer dogs are trendy. Everyone, it seems, wants one. Designer dogs are so hot, in fact, that a major publisher of dog-title magazines, Bowtie Press, has just released its first issue of the magazine called, what else? Designer Dogs. Because of the demand, the price tag for a designer dog often equals or tops the cost of its purebred puppy counterparts. Breeders are not shy about asking several thousand dollars for a mix in high demand.

But what are you paying for? Detractors consider a designer dog just a mutt called by a catchy name. Those who scoff at the popularity of these combos also point out that the "hybrid vigor" purported to be a benefit of mixing does not necessarily hold true. The quality of the offspring still depends on the quality of the parents. As is the case with any breed enjoying overexposure, its popularity can encourage unscrupulous and irresponsible breeding, resulting in poor stock and animal abuse, and you can end up with an unhealthy pet.

Finally, being a trendsetter isn't really a good reason to acquire a pet that will require your love and care for years after the trend is history. So, if you think that a designer dog might be for you, be sure to find out first if you really are a dog person.

What exactly is a designer dog, and how does it differ from a mixed or purebred dog? Simply stated, purebred dogs are the result of generations of breeding within a closed gene pool to produce consistent looks, personality and behavior. A mixed breed, or mutt, is the accidental result of random pairing, and anything goes in terms of which characteristics or appearance will predominate. Almost always, a designer dog is the deliberate breeding of two purebred parents of different breeds.

It can be argued that all dogs were designer dogs at one point. For example, my own favorite breed, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, is, according to the lore, the result of a pairing of shipwrecked Newfoundland dogs on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, whose progeny were subsequently bred with Labrador retriever, with a little water spaniel and coonhound thrown in for good measure. However, the breed as we know it today has been standardized for over 100 years.

The designer dog is usually the result of crossing only two breeds. Although first generation hybrids tend to be fairly consistent, gaining one set of genes from one parent and one from the other, there can still be some unpredictability in the outcome, and for this reason, usually second generation breeding of designer dogs is avoided.

This is not always the case, though, and certain popular designer combos strive for official breed recognition from major kennel clubs, such as the American Kennel Club. AKC requirements are strict and involve meticulous record keeping for generations, with a demonstrated nationwide interest in the breed and the establishment of a specific number of breed clubs. However, some purebred breed clubs, such as the Poodle Club of America, so disfavor the mixing of its breeds that it will expel members found cross-breeding.

Perhaps the oldest designer dog, the cockapoo, was around long before there was an alliterative nickname for it. Still existing mostly as a first generation cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle, the cockapoo has been popular since the 1960s.

Another very popular designer dog, the labradoodle, (labrador x poodle), is an example of breeding hybrids until a consistent type is developed. Originating in Australia in the late 1980s, this combination was an attempt to develop a guide dog for the Australian Royal Guide Dog Association that would not aggravate a client's allergies. While over the generations these hybrids were excellent guide dogs, few were hypoallergenic or non-shedding, causing the association to drop the project. However, the cute name and subsequent media coverage caught the fancy of the public and this originally purpose-driven breeding has evolved into a popular pet.

For most hybrids, the place to become official is the American Canine Hybrid Club, which began its registrations in 1992. Here is where you would register your schweenie (dachshund x shih tzu), labradinger (labrador x English springer spaniel) or wowauzer (miniature schnauzer x Welsh terrier). In 2005, the puggle (pug x beagle) led in registrations, but overall, the largest number of registrations have been issued to the labradoodle, goldendoodle (golden retriever x poodle), puggle and cavachon (Cavalier King Charles spaniel x bichon frise), in that order.

Next week, we'll look at finding a designer dog

breeder. I

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Ltd., Nantucket's pet supply and gift shop, and is a member of DWAA and CWA (Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America). Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and three cats. At the shop are cats Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower bunny, Millie guinea pig and two budgies. Send email to jan@geronimos.com.