Mixed Dog Breeds or Hybrids, also known as Designer Dogs, are a cross (usually in the first generation) between two purebred dogs (but sometimes these are also multi-generation crosses).
Being carefully selected for hundreds of years to display most clearly certain characteristics and features according to fixed standards, pure dog breeds can exhaust their genes, become weak and develop hereditary diseases. Mixed Dog Breeds, on the other hand, experience the so called hybrid vigor and are usually stronger and much more enduring. In distinction from mutts, whose ancestry is unknown, Mixed Dog Breeds have documents supporting their background that you can study.
American Canine Hybrid Club recognizes all hybrids of pure dog breeds registered properly. However, be ready to get a pig in a poke: you cannot be 100% sure that a cross will produce combination of the very qualities you would like to see in your pet. Research the information on prospective parents and check if there's anything you are totally against of (for example, heavy shedding).
Crossing dog breeds of different groups (between the 7 commonly recognized ones, Working Dog Breeds, Sporting Dog Breeds, Herding Dog Breeds, Hound Dog Breeds, Terrier Dog Breeds, Toy Dog Breeds and Non-Sporting Dog Breeds, assuring numerous variations) will amaze you with results not only in terms of size and coloring, but also temperament and abilities. It produces such interesting new dog breeds as Beagos (Beagle + Golden Retriever), Cockineses (Cocker Spaniel + Pekingese), Doodles (Dachshund + Poodle), Basschshunds (Basset Hound + Dachshund), Fo-Tzus (Shih Tzu + Toy Fox Terrier), Goldmations (Dalmatian + Golden Retriever), Pekepoos (Yorkshire Terrier + Poodle) and many others. It is not occasionally that another name for these Hybrid Dog Breeds is Designer Dogs. Some pups are so cute and unique that can be an important supplement to your style.
Becoming a dog owner means a commitment for life, so be careful and responsible making a choice. |