Designer Dog Breeds
What is a “Designer Dog Breed”? According to https://www.DogBreedInfo.com, “A ‘designer’ dog is a cross between two purebred dogs.”
The media coined the term “Designer Dog.”
For the record: A “Designer Dog” is not a breed. Instead, it is a hybrid dog – the offspring of two purebred dogs. An example is a Labradoodle, which is the result of a Labrador and a Poodle.
Purebred Dog Breeds
What is a purebred dog? AnimalLeague.org (https://www.animalleague.com) identifies a purebred dog as one whose “parents and other ancestors are all members of the same breed, and generally conform to a specific breed standard.”
Purebred dogs are bred over generations, so that each new puppy looks like the others in its breed and has the same temperament and characteristics. Thus, Labrador Retriever is instantly recognized as a Lab and not confused with a Golden Retriever or a Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
Kennel Clubs
The American Kennel Club (AKC)
The 135-year-old American Kennel Club (AKC.org) recognizes 193 dog breeds, but it does not recognize designer dogs as breeds.
In 2009, the AKC began implementation of a mixed breed program in which pets can receive an AKC ID number, compete in mixed breed classes and receive some additional AKC benefits (https://www.akc.org/press-releases/akc-announces-new-program-for-mixed-breeds/).
Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC)
The DDKC (https://www.designermixes.org) is a registry for “designer” and hybrid dogs. It was established in 2007 and, as you might suppose, recognizes hundreds of breed crossings.
Rescue Centers
Lisa Walden of Country Living recently posted this article:
“4 Dog Breeds Increasingly Ending Up In Rescue Centres”
https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/dog-breeds/a29363059/designer-dogs-rescue-centre-rspca/
Heartbreaking
Isn’t it a shame? You know, having a dog or cat is like having another family member, only the average lifetime for a dog is around 12 years; so it’s really heartbreaking for me to think that a loving animal would find himself or herself in a shelter. While I know there are, in the current financial situation of our society, things that just can’t be done differently, a solution still needs to be found. Things happen! Bit it still leave me feeling so sad.
We should all just THINK, before bringing a pet home, about what it entails.
Remember, too, this is Adoptober – a time to seriously consider whether you can give a home to a pup (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/adoptober/), no matter which side of the ocean you call home.
Whatever you do, DON’T BUY a puppy from a pet store!
Recommended Reading
5 Ways to End Puppy Mills (https://wetnosecentral.com/?s=puppy+mill).
Sk.