A goldendoodle

Why are designer dogs so popular?

And they are taking the world by storm...

But why?

#1.) Cute names- grafted-together breeds mean grafted-together names (i.e. cockapoo {cocker spaniel/poodle}, chiweenie {chihuahua/dachsund}, and puggle {pug/beagle}).

#2.) Shed less/allergy friendly- since designer dogs are specially bred and "planned", they are sometimes less likely to shed and are "nicer" to allergies.

#3.)Genetic pluses- designer dogs, having a wider gene pool, are less prone to inbreeding, and are usually healthier than a lot of "normal" purebreds.

The Geneaology

Here, I'll explain the (basic) science of the designer dog. In this example, I'll use the goldendoodle. Purebred A is a golden retriever, and purebred B is a poodle.

GENERATION I- 50% A, 50% B- This cross is healthier, with a curly, wavy, shaggy, smooth, or wirey. Coat type can vary in one litter, and they can shed or not.
BACKCROSS- 25% A, 75% B (G1 + a poodle)- Coat is wavy, shaggy, or curly, and definitely is consistent in type. It is most likely not to shed and has the easiest-care coat.
GENERATION II- G1 + G1- Most likely to shed.
GENERATION II BACKCROSS- G1 + backcross
GENERATION III- G2 + G2
ETC...

To get started...

So what IS a designer dog? No doubt you've heard of them, the fru-fru dogs that aren't one breed or another. Actually, that's it. A designer dog is a hybrid between two known purebreds, where as a mixed-breed, or mutt, is a cross with two parents whose breed is a mystery. It is thought, that because there is a more diverse gene pool, that they are healthier than "normal" purebreds. However, especially if the dog is a first-generation cross (explained later), designer dogs can still get genetic diseases. Also, mixing two dogs, you shouldn't expect only to get the characteristics YOU want, because a designer dog can get any combination of his or her parents' characteristics.

Schnoodle (designer dog)

All American Mutt (My dog Roscoe)