I find the history of the Labradoodle quite interesting. The first litter was bred in Australia at the request of a vision impaired woman whose husband was allergic to dogs. This first mating of a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle resulted in three puppies. Of those, one of them was found to have a non-allergenic coat and was suitable to be trained as a guide dog. This was the official beginning of the Labradoodle.
As a dog breed, the Labradoodle is still developing and is not yet a true breed i.e. the puppies do not have consistently predictable characteristics. While many Labradoodles display desired traits, their appearance and behavioral characteristics remain unpredictable.
In Australia there is a group of breeders who are dedicated to the logical and planned cross-breeding of this dog with the goal of having a new breed recognised. In 2004 it was announced that the Australian Labradoodle was not just a Labrador X Poodle but a breed developed over many years with a particular goal in mind. Other breeds of dogs, such as the Irish Water Spaniel, Curly Coated Retriever, American Cocker Spaniel and English Cocker Spaniel have also been included into the bloodlines to improve certain characteristics of the Australian Labradoodle.
With the recent explosion in popularity of ‘designer dogs’ there has been plenty of discussion on the topic. Not withstanding the Australian effort to actually produce a new and stable breed, what are your thoughts on other new cross-breeds? Designer dog or expensive Mutt?
Wow, what amazing texture you captured in the fur…just lovely.
this can be such a touchy subject. my opinion is that they are overpriced cross-breeds and unfortunately people (consumers) don’t understand that they are not yet a “breed” and the results can be unpredictable. Your information above said it in only one of the 3 puppies having the desired traits.
I see it as another outlet for puppy farmers and pet shops to sell “designer dogs” to the unsuspecting public. This puppy looks mighty happy though - which is the most important thing :)
“Designer Dog” sales are now outstripping those of purebreds. I think this is largely because all the scientific research show mutts live longer and healthier lives than purebreds, so more families are choosing a hybrid “Designer Dog”.
Most people just want a happy, healthy family pet. Say “Boxer” and they think heart disease; say “Golden Retriever” and they think hip dysplasia. The incidence and severity of inherited diseases in purebred dogs increases every year, and yet breeders continue with outdated practices that continuously limit genetic diversity.
Certainly their are puppy mills that have jumped on to the “Designer Dog” band wagon purely to make a profit. But this has happened with popular purebreds in the past (remember the rush for Dalmatians and Huskies after the movies “100 Dalmatians” and “Snow Dogs”?). Puppy mills will breed whatever makes them the most money: purebred, hybrid, small white fluffy; they don’t care. They breed what sells.
However, there are also many dedicated hybrid breeders whose main aim is to produce healthy dogs, without the genetic problems that have plagued many purebreds. Many families have known the heartbreak of losing a beloved dog because of genetic problems, and these breeders simply want to provide healthy, happy family pets. More power to them :)
Mia, he’s/she’s gorgeous! Designer dog or Mutt, I love them all. The craze for designer dogs makes me nervous though, so many opportunities for puppy farmers but good to see a dedicated group of ‘real’ breeders emerging who are less focused on money and more focused on doing what’s best for the dog/breed. As a devoted Golden Retriever person there aren’t any designer dogs in my future but I’d always be up for a cuddle with a shaggy-dog like this one. Who could resist such a gorgeous face? Then again, on reflection, never say never, if one needed a home I’d bring it into my pack it in a nano-second!
I think that the great thing about doggies is that designer or mutt they all give you the same unconditional love. However, if I had a choice……… I want a Louis Vuitton dog!
this picture is so awesome, I love his fur!
Mutts, designer breeds, I love them all. Love all the detail of the dog’s fur in this photo.
ah! what a smile! thanks for all the history…who knew? :p never had much of an opinion on the breeds or cross-breeds, since we are rescue people through and through. :)
As a happy toy poodle owner, I cant help but want a Labradoodle too - they are gorgeous!! But as lovely as they seem I would feel terrible to adopt a designer dog knowing so many other orphan dogs need loving homes so probably wouldnt get one for myself. But as guide dogs they would be brilliant for that purpose.
That is one beautiful pic by the way, look at those expressive eyes, Im in love…..