Hope Saidel

Every day we hear more about the new "hybrid" dogs, or
"designer" dogs. Each feature is accompanied by pictures of
adorable puppies that are examples of this new "breed."



Of course they're cute! All puppies are! Should you pay
hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of dollars for one?
Certainly not! The offspring of a mating between two purebred
dogs of different breeds is a mongrel, a mutt. And if you have
one, you should love it, train it and care for it as if it had
the bluest blood of the canine kingdom.



Every dog breed, and there are hundreds in the world, was
"created" by humans. Each breed was developed for a specific
purpose - whether that original job was guarding the flock or
being the ideal lap-dog. There's no reason that development
shouldn't continue. If there is a need for a dog with particular
characteristics, enterprising individuals will come forward to
fill that need.



However, it takes many generations to "breed true." Compare
yourself to your siblings. Do you all have the same looks, same
personality, same interests and strengths? Chances are, you
don't. Each of you has some of the "best" traits of your
parents. But those may not be the same traits. And each of you
has some of the worst.



Two of the best-known mixed-breeds out there now are the "Golden
Doodle" and the "Puggle." The thinking behind these crosses is
fairly obvious: wouldn't it be nice to have a Golden Retriever's
personality and willingness to please combined with the Poodle's
non-shedding coat and intelligence? Wouldn't it be equally
delightful to have a small dog without the breathing issues of a
Pug, but quieter than a Beagle?



But there is no way of knowing you won't get a high-strung,
noisy, stubborn, slobbering mutt who sheds like the dickens!



If you are considering spending the kind of money that these
"hybrids" are commanding, be sure to research all of the traits
of the contributing breeds. You will get a mixture of the two.
And an equally adorable mixture may be waiting for you at your
local shelter - the size you want, with the coat you want and
the adorable face that melts your heart.



If you require certain characteristics in your puppy - whether a
family member has allergies, or you have a very small, or no
yard, or your household requires a quiet, "easy keeper," or if
you wish to fully participate in the world of canine
competition, consider a pure-bred animal. There are over 150
breeds recognized by the American
Kennel Club. Surely one of them is right for you.



About the author:


Hope Saidel is the co-owner of href="http://www.gollygear.com">GollyGear, a
bricks-and-mortar and online small dog shop featuring fun,
affordable and practical products for small dogs. She has
trained and competed in Obedience with small dogs for over a
decade and is on the Board of Directors of the North Shore Dog
Training Club.





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