Purebreds and inbreeds often carry genetic disease. Heterosis is the phenomenon where crossing two inbred lines can 

produce descendants with superior genetic foundation. This increased health and vigor does not create a superior breed, but

the advantages obtained from it arewhat produce hybrid vigor. This goal in this scenario is not to create a new breed, but to

create a happy and healthy  pet.  Heterosis effect results in a healthier, more vigorous dog with a reduced chance of genetic

disease. It is well known in all domestic animal breedings, hybrids 50%-50% mixes of two different breeds will raise the chances

 of having less genetic  diseases because all doubling of detrimental effects willstop in the first generation. The genetic term

for this is HETEROSIS EFFECT. This effect often gives non-related individuals stronger descendants than inbreeds.  Breeders who breed

 these hybrid dogs have stated their goal  was to get healthy and happy dogs without genetic problems. Most breeders crossing with the

 poodle are looking for a soft silky non-shedding coat good for allergy  sufferers. The purpose of these hybrids is  not and should never

be to develop a new breed. Once one goes beyond first generation purebred to purebred, you loose the heterosis effect, which is the

goal for most hybrid breeders. The mother  should always be the bigger of the two, to avoid puppies getting too big and complicating

the delivery for the mother.  It is only in this first generation, the dogs could get the benefit of the greatly demanded HETEROSIS effect,

and avoid genetic diseases, which are common among purebreds and inbreeds.

Hybrid Dogs
(Designer Dogs)

The word 'Hybrid', when referring to genetics means, the offspring of genetically dissimilar parents or stock, especially the

offspring produced by breeding plants or animals of different varieties, species, or races. In general the word means, '

something of mixed  origin or composition.' Hybrid dogs, or designer dogs as some call them, are becoming quite popular.

Below is a list of the  most popular hybrid dogs. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look

up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. We

do not  attempt to interpret the temperaments of each individual hybrid mix because the differences in the dogs, even

within the  same litter can vary greatly. If you do not feel the temperament of one of the purebreds in the mix is suited for

 your lifestyle,  than that hybrid dog is not for you. Do  not take a gamble that the puppy or dog will turn out like the other

breed in the mix. Choosing a dog simply for it's looks is a foolish way to choose a dog. Read the article on Below for more

info on these mixed breeds.

 

Please Note: A hybrid dog is not a BREED, it is a hybrid, which means it is a mix of more than one purebred dog.

 

Designer Dog?? What the heck is a designer dog you ask?? A "designer" dog (as the media has labeled them) is a cross

between two purebred dogs. A purebred dog is one that has been bred over many generations  to breed true. Meaning

each puppy that is born looks and has the same temperament and characteristics as one another. In most cases a standard

is written and breeders must follow this written standard. Only dogs which make the written standard are to be bred.

Purebred dogs are beneficial in that, when you buy a purebred dog you know what you are getting. You know how big

your puppy will grow and you know basically what type of temperament and care the dog will need. You know the dogs

limits, whether it is capable of agility, hunting, search and rescue, police work, herding, flock guardian, or just simply a

companion dog.  You have a pretty good idea if the dog will be good with your kids, you know if they will have a

tendency to wander or if they will stick close to home. You have a pretty good idea if they will like strangers, or if they will

fear them. When one breeds purebred dogs great care must be taken to insure the lines to not become too thin. Even with

all the best DNA testing available, genetic problems can occur, however with the proper testing these problems can be

greatly reduced. To give you a simple analogy, let's say  there was a law passed that stated only people with blonde hair

and blue eyes with a high IQ could have children, with the end goal, everyone in the USA to be smart with blonde hair and

blue eyes. If this were to  happen, as you can imagine, our gene pool would eventually become thin, and many genetic

problems would occur. What's the difference between a designer dog and a mutt? Generally, a mutt is of uncertain

ancestry. A designer dog has documented purebred ancestry, and one knows for sure what it is. The ACHC is  the leading

registry for designer dogs. So what's up with these hybrid, "designer" dogs? Are they healthier? Hybrid dogs can still have

 genetic  problems because you are still crossing two first generation dogs, however the percentage of hybrid dogs with

genetic problems is much lower than purebred dogs because the gene pool is mixed. Breeders  who breed purebred to

purebred creating a first generation hybrid believe in the heterosis effect and hybrid vigor. Vigor means, "Physical or

 mental strength, energy, or force. " Unlike purebred dogs, when you adopt a hybrid, you do not know exactly what the

emperament, size of the dog, or exact look of the dog will be.  When you breed two different types of purebred dogs

together you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. If you are stuck on a hybrid dog

how do you know which one to choose? Read the temperament and care for both breeds in the cross and be prepared for

 any combination of the two. If everything about both breeds matches you and your families personality and lifestyle, than

 you can most likely assume this cross will work for you. If there is ANYTHING about either  breed in the cross that you do

not feel matches what you are looking for, avoid that  cross. Do not  assume or take the chance that only the good

characteristics will emerge. You may be in for a big surprise  and it is not fair to the puppy to chance that. It is also

 important to be aware; not all of these designer hybrid dogs being  bred are 50% purebred to 50% purebred. It is very

 common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. While a simple  F1 generation cross is said to produce the most

 hybrid vigor in the dog and the further down the multi-generation chain, the  more vigor is lost in the hybrid; there are

some benefits to multi-generation crossing. If you want to greater your chances of  certain traits, such as non-shedding,

sometimes it is necessary to move further down the generation chain, risking less vigor. To help you understand this

concept we will use the Goldendoodle as an example. A Goldendoodle is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the

Poodle (usually the Standard Poodle). In general we will call  the first purebred "purebred-A", and the second

"purebred-B". Note, the examples of the differences in coat only apply to the Goldendoodle hybrid, all other hybrids will

vary in their own way depending on what is in the cross.

 

 

F1 = 1st generation puppy - 50% purebred-A and 50% purebred-B - for example, a Golden Retriever to

Poodle cross, this is first generation, resulting in healthier offspring. In this particular Goldendoodle c

ross hair type can be smooth like a Golden, wirey look like a Irish wolfhound or Wavy/shaggy, they can

shed or not shed, pups in the same litter can vary. This is not the best cross for people with severe

allergies.

 

F1b = backcross puppy - 25% purebred-A and 75% purebred-B. For example, an F1 Goldendoodle and

 Poodle cross; this is Goldendoodle bred back to Poodle, Wavy Curly shaggy look doodle very

consistent in coat types. F1b is the MOST likely of any to be non shedding and allergy friendly then ANY

doodles (poodle crosses) and is the easiest coat to take care of.

F2 = second generation puppy - F1 hybrid crossed with an F1 hybrid - for example, an F1 Goldendoodle crossed with an

F1 Goldendoodle. This combination you get the same percentage of purebred-A as purebred-B as you would an F1 hybrid.

In the case of the Goldendoodle, they are more likely to shed.

F2b = second generation backcross puppy = F1 bred to a F1b (hybrid backcross)

F3 = F2 hybrid to F2 hybrid

Multi-generation = F3 or higher generation hybrid crossed with F3 or higher generation hybrid
 

To sum things up

Purebred-A x Purebred-B = F1 Hybrid Dog F1 x Purebred-A = F1b Hybrid Dog F1 x F1  = F2 Hybrid Dog F1 x F1b = F2b Hybrid Dog F2 x F2 = F3 Hybrid Dog

 

Dogs are not to be disposed of like old toasters when they do not perform as you wish. They are living creatures. Cross a

Labrador with a Poodle (Labradoodle) and you may or may not get a dog that sheds. Most experienced breeders can give 

you a pretty good idea what characteristics in a pup will emerge as the puppy grows. For example, in the Labradoodle,

some breeders are able totell which coat the pup will have, the Poodle or the Labrador, but still, this cannot be guaranteed.

 Sometimes  it is harder to tell what type of temperament the pup will take on, as some characteristics do not appear  until

the pup is older, past adopting age. Whether or not you choose a purebred dog or a "designer" hybrid mix, do your

homework and research, research, research. Remember, adopting a dog should be a life long commitment and not

something that should be taken lightly