Breeding Designer Dogs: Crossing for Cash
Growing up I always wanted a Great Dane or a Cocker Spaniel or maybe one of each. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that one day I might be able to purchase a mix of the two. But with society’s recent demand for so called designer dogs, and too many willing breeders, that day may not be that far off.
I chose this topic not because I dislike mutts, but because I am disturbed at the number of people who are passing themselves off as dog breeders just to make a quick buck.
I also find it mind boggling that so many people are willing to spend so much money for a mutt that has been dubbed as “designer” or “hybrid”. These dogs are no different than the thousands of mongrels that have been filling animal shelters for years.
The breeders of these designer animals will often tell potential buyers that they are healthier than purebreds. They claim that by mixing the two breeds you get the best of each in a cute little package. Sure, but along with the good, you get the worst of the original breeds as well.
There doesn’t seem to be any enforced regulations for these kinds of breeders either. It seems that as long as these people give the dog a fancy name and show proof that it has had its first shots they are in business. They simply let nature take its course as quickly as possible and haul in the profits.
But what if the breeder is neglectful in getting the proper shots?
The headlines in Toronto newspapers this week were all focused on a mixed breed dog that was sold to a woman for $200 at a local indoor Flea market. Within hours of taking the dog home it became very sick. Because she was unable to pay for a vet, she took the dog to the humane society, where it was determined that it had rabies.
I was shocked when I read about the puppy having rabies, but was nothing short of appalled when I read that someone who had spent $200 on a dog just hours before could not afford to take the animal to a vet!! If there is anything worse than an irresponsible breeder, it is an irresponsible pet owner. Authorities say that the vendor who sold the rabid puppy did not break any laws, but has been banned from selling any more puppies. The woman on the other hand is free to purchase any animal she wants, even though it is beyond her means to take it to a vet if it becomes sick.
I have two mixed breed dogs that were both rescued. Chancy is an eight year old Retriever and Australian Shepherd cross. We took her in when she was only a week old and nursed her as we had our own babies. Her mother had a litter of eleven puppies and rejected her and a few others. Shadow is almost 17. We adopted her after she was kicked out of the Police Academy, where she was being trained as K-9 NARC (a drug sniffing dog) Her owner said that although she was brilliant at her job, she was forced to leave when they found out she was part Coyote. Their loss was my gain. I could not have asked for a more loving and loyal pet.
For those that find these dogs to be this seasons “must have” accessory, you might consider checking your local humane society or even answering a free to good home add. And remember that it should be your handbag that is designer; not what is peeking out of it.
If you feel you must buy from a designer breeder, at least check them out first. Make sure that they are not running a Puppy Mill.
Things to avoid
- Avoid buying from anyone who calls themselves a breeder yet will not show you where he/she does the breeding. This could be because they do not want prospective buyers to see the condition of the site.
- Avoid buying from a breeder who makes excuses for not being able to have the parents on site for you to see
- Avoid buying from someone who seems too eager to sell and asks you no questions at all. Reputable dog breeders have certain requirements that you must meet before they will sell to you. This can be anything from making sure you have a fenced yard to having you sign a written spay/ neuter agreement.
Things to look for
- A good dog breeder does not breed frequently, as they will breed only when they find what they feel to be a good match in a breeding pair. If both are healthy and have a good temperament, they can better insure that the puppies will be as well.
- Good breeders will also breed only when a certain number of homes have been evaluated and deemed appropriate
- A good breeder will have references available for you. Check references before you buy.
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User Comments
CHAN LEE PENG
On January 26, 2008 at 10:00 am
Interesting article! Thanks lanne, and take care!
louie jerome
On January 26, 2008 at 10:37 am
Interesting article for anyone contemplating dog breeding.
IcyCucky
On January 26, 2008 at 10:38 am
Lanne,
This is an excellent article. I often feel like you about the amount of money that people are spending on buying a dog, then a few months later dropping him/her off at the pound…So sad!
Joe Poniatowski
On January 26, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Great article – puppy mills are a huge problem and the source of much animal suffering.
Lucy Lockett
On January 26, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Some things like irresponsible people are so annoying. Animals have feelings and need a loving homes too, just like people.I appreciated this article very much.
alexa gates
On January 26, 2008 at 5:47 pm
great guide! My first dog was a mix, but we didn’t get him from a breeder…
Darlene McFarlane
On January 26, 2008 at 10:47 pm
A very good article. You have some very good points here. If you want a pet, I think the decision should be male or female, and small,medium, or large. Put the name ‘designer’ on something and the world seems to need one.
Remember in the 80s when designer brooches where a spider or cockroach that roamed on your lapel on a small pricey chain?
lanne
On January 26, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Thanks everyone for your comments. I felt I had to write about this. I know someone who breeds these designer mutts and charges big $$$ for the mangy little beasts.It is strictly for profit and I don`t think it is right. They have had at least one puppy from every litter returned for some reason or another, and who knows how many have ended up at the pound.It`s not fair to the animals.
valli
On January 26, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Interesting article and useful points.
Anne Lyken-Garner
On January 27, 2008 at 8:57 am
A remarkably useful article for people considering dog breeding
Judy Sheldon
On January 30, 2008 at 9:39 pm
My fur baby came from a breeder, but he hadn’t been planned (poor guy). Mama escaped the watchful eye of her owners. She was chihuahua, and his father is Jack Russell. It was not an intentional breed – but I always say creation is from God, and He doesn’t make mistakes.
Well written article. Animals don’t let us down, and we need to stop letting them down.
Inga
On March 4, 2008 at 10:56 pm
I personally have had dogs all my life. I took in all the strays from a very young age & up. I’ve owned many pure breeds, some with champion lines, rescue dogs, & recently designer breeds. Right now I have a mixture of 9 dogs that live in my house. Personally, I like the way some of the mixes look better than the pure breeds. You get the best of both worlds. All my dogs have different personalities & their all great but the mixes seem to be sweeter, my personal experience. I have always said from a young age that the mixes make better dogs & I know many people out there have heard or experienced the same thing. I take offense to the “mongrel” term. They are all dogs/puppies in need of good homes with lots of love, so whatever suites your fancy whether it be a pure breed, mix, designer, whatever…get what you want. They are all very rewarding to own.
lanne
On March 4, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Inga,
I think that you misunderstood the point of my article.
I too have had dogs all of my life and not one has been a purebred. I have nothing against crossbred dogs.I have a problem with the amount of people jumping on the band wagon to breed them and sell them for huge monitary gain.Just because your dog happens to have a litter of pups does NOT make you a breeder. If I ever get another dog, you can rest assured that it will be a mutt. But there is no way I would pay someone to breed me what I can get at the pound and save a life while I`m at it.
P.S. The term Mongrel is in any dictionary. It means an animal esp. a dog of mixed or undetermined breed. I know the term well.I own two of them.
Darlene McFarlane
On March 15, 2008 at 9:41 am
Bravo! Very well put.
Heather
On October 10, 2008 at 9:30 pm
As a vet tech student trying to write a debate paper about designer dogs, this was great info. I too have owned dogs all my life and several were purebred, but every one of them came out of rescue. If the purebreds are dumped into rescue, how long will it be until we get “tired” of these little designer dogs? Some are cute, but so are all the little rascals wagging their tails at the local shelter. Such a silly business of breeding designer dogs!!!!!!
Emily
On August 27, 2009 at 10:50 pm
I really don’t understand why breeding pure bred dogs is any better than breeding mixed ones. Either way dogs end up in pounds and shelters.
It’s a bit much for pure breeders to claim that they aren’t also flooding the market and charging extortionist prices. I would like a puppy very much and i would love to get one that has been rescued but every single RSPCA, lost dogs home or pound i have checked in Australia only has older dogs. I really want a puppy that will grow up with me. Breeders still charge over $600 for a dog so what’s difference if its a great part of your family?
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