"Hybrid" Dog – isn’t that another word for Mutt?
Every day we hear more about new “hybrid” dogs, or “designer” dogs. Each item is accompanied by images of adorable puppies that are examples of this new “breed”.
Of course they are cute! All puppies are! Should you pay hundreds and in some cases millions of dollars for one? Certainly not! The offspring of a mating between two purebred dogs of different breeds is a mongrel, a stray dog. And if you have one, you must love him, educate him and take care of him as if he had the bluest blood in the canine kingdom.
Every breed of dog, and there are hundreds in the world, was “created” by humans. Each breed was developed for a specific purpose, whether the original job was to herd the flock or to be the ideal lapdog. There is no reason why development should not continue. If there is a need for a dog with particular characteristics, the individuals who enter will come forward to meet that need.
However, it takes many generations to “come true”. Compare yourself with your brothers. Does everyone have the same appearance, the same personality, the same interests and strengths? Most likely you won’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 now are the “Golden Doodle” and the “Puggle”. The thinking behind these crosses is pretty obvious: wouldn’t it be nice to have the personality and willingness to please of a Golden Retriever combined with the intelligence and non-shedding coat of the Poodle? Wouldn’t it be just as delightful to have a small dog without the respiratory problems of a Pug, but calmer than a Beagle?
But there’s no way of knowing you won’t get a nervous, noisy, stubborn, slimy mutt that sheds like the dickens!
If you’re considering spending the kind of money these “hybrids” are demanding, be sure to research all the traits of the contributing breeds. You will get a mix of the two. And an equally adorable mix may be waiting for you at your local shelter: the size you want, the coat you want, and the adorable face that melts your heart.
If you need certain traits in your puppy, whether it’s a family member with allergies, a very small yard or no yard, your home requires an “easy sitter” and is quiet, or you want to fully participate in the world of canine competition, considered a purebred animal. There are over 150 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Check them out at http://www.akc.org. Surely one of them is the one for you.