What exactly is the difference between a mixed breed and a designer dog? When you think of a designer, you probably think of expensive fashion, so why are dogs given this label (no pun intended)? In a nutshell, designer dogs are the offspring of the purposeful breeding of two different purebred dogs.

This type of breeding has been done quite deliberately, so you end up with the best of two very different breeds. These hybrids are all given a smushed name of the two parents, such as Jug (for a Jack Russell Terrier and Pug cross) and the Beabull (Beagle mixed with a Bulldog).

We’ve put together this list of 20 of the more popular designer dog breeds so you can get to know them all a little better.

The Top 20 Designer Dog Breeds

1. Cavachon

The Cavachon is a combination of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise breeds. They are sweet dogs that are very family-oriented, and they tend to get along with just about everyone (including other family pets).

They typically only need about 30 minutes of exercise every day, and they don’t do well when left alone as they love spending time with their people.

2. Chiweenie

The Chiweenie is a hybrid of the Dachshund and the Chihuahua, making for a small and long dog. They can be any number of colors and hair types (depending on if their parents are short or longhaired), and they tend to be just as spunky and stubborn as their parents.

Chiweenies are very high-energy but just need about a 30-minute walk daily, and they make excellent watchdogs as they tend to be on the yappy side.

3. Chorkie

The Chihuahua and the Yorkshire Terrier give us the Chorkie, a very energetic, loving, and confident little dog. These hybrids are a bundle of energy and require a lot of exercise, but their small size should make this an easy part of your day.

They require a fair amount of grooming, depending on which parent they take after the most, and early training and socialization are paramount, or the Chorkie might attempt to rule the household.

4. Chug

The Chug is a mix of the Chihuahua and Pug breeds, so it is yet another hybrid that gives us a small and noisy but affectionate little dog. They love everyone they meet and need about a 30-minute walk every day to keep up with their exercise requirements.

Chugs are easy to groom since both parents typically have short and smooth coats, and their intelligence makes for relatively easy training.

5. Cockapoo

The Cockapoo is one of the oldest of the hybrid breeds and is the offspring of the American Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle. They are highly intelligent and very affectionate and sweet dogs that are easy to train and will only need a moderate amount of exercise (usually 30 minutes every day).

Cockapoos require a moderate amount of grooming, which is usually in the form of brushing several times a week. They should also have their floppy ears cleaned frequently.

6. Goldador

The Goldador is a mix of two of the most popular dogs in North America—the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever. These dogs are athletic, eager to please, super loving, and make perfect family dogs. Their high energy levels will require 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise.

Grooming is pretty simple with weekly brushing, and they are considered one of the easiest dogs to train, thanks to their intelligence and willingness to please.

7. Goldendoodle

The Goldendoodle is a combination of the Golden Retriever and Poodle and is a smart, obedient, and very loving family dog. They have lots of energy that can be met through 30- to 60-minute walks and play. They do better in a house with a yard.

They are easily trained, and they generally need brushing several times a week if you keep their coats clipped short. You shouldn’t leave Goldendoodles alone for long periods as they are very attached to their people and can also become bored quickly.

• See Also: 18 Types of Goldendoodle Colors & Patterns (With Pictures)

8. Gollie

The Gollie is a cross of the Collie and Golden Retriever and makes a fantastic family pet. These intelligent and devoted dogs are easy to train and require a fair amount of exercise, thanks to their high energy.

Gollies will typically need brushing every day as they tend to shed quite a bit but will only need a bath every 2 to 3 months. They also make excellent watchdogs, as while they are friendly with most people, they are protective of their families.

9. Labradoodle

The Labradoodle is a mixture of the Labrador Retriever and the Standard Poodle. This gives us a dog that could have a wide variety of different coat textures and colors and is an excellent family dog. They need lots of exercise and might not do well in an apartment.

Labradoodles are easy to train as they are smart and loyal. Grooming will depend on what kind of coat they end up with, and they tend to be hypoallergenic, thanks to their Poodle parents.

10. Mal-Shi

The Mal-Shi is a hybrid of the Maltese and Shih Tzu and is a very outgoing, playful, and affectionate little dog. These dogs tend to need moderate exercise but will follow your lead—the more energetic you are, the more energetic your pup.

They will need brushing every day and are fairly easy to train. However, keep in mind that the Mal-Shi has a stubborn streak, so firm but positive obedience training is essential.

11. Maltipoo

When you mix a Poodle with a Maltese, you get the Maltipoo. These dogs make great pets for first-time dog owners as well as people in apartments. They don’t do well when left alone, so be sure to have someone at home most of the time if you decide on the Maltipoo.

While they are pretty energetic dogs, they don’t need a lot of exercise. Training is quite easy, thanks to their smarts, but these are sensitive dogs, so lots of patience and love are required. They need brushing several times a week, and depending on their coat, they might need professional grooming on occasion.

12. Morkie

The Morkie is a hybrid of the Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese and is a bundle of playful and stubborn fun. Grooming can be easy or more challenging depending on what kind of coat they inherit from their parents, but they will need regular brushing and a bath about once a month.

Training might be more difficult because of their stubborn nature, so perseverance and positive reinforcement are super important. Morkies have lots of energy, so they need time spent walking and playing, but their small size makes this an easy and fun job.

13. Peekapoo

The Peekapoo is an adorable mix of Poodle and Pekingese and is an energetic and fun dog to have around. They get along very nicely with other pets and children and are fairly low maintenance.

Training is relatively easy, and grooming requires some attention every week but is generally simple with the occasional bath and weekly brushing. Peekapoos can do well in apartments, and their energy requires giving them the chance to run and play.

14. Pomsky

When you combine the Husky and Pomeranian, you get the Pomsky, an adorable, talkative, energetic, and loyal hybrid. They can look like miniature Huskies or might end up as a large Pomeranian. They can be challenging to train as they tend to be stubborn and require a ton of patience from the dog owner.

Pomskies have lots of energy to burn and might need at least an hour of exercise every day, and they’ll need daily brushing to keep up with all of the shedding. They might not do as well in an apartment or with young children, but they make great watchdogs.

15. Puggle

When you cross the Beagle with the Pug, you end up with the Puggle. These pups love everyone they meet and are full of fun, love, and energy. Puggles need quite a bit of exercise, so they’ll need walks and lots of time to play, or you’ll end up with a destructive and unhappy dog.

They tend to shed but don’t need a ton of grooming, thanks to their short coats. Training shouldn’t be too difficult as they want to please you, and it’s very necessary to help curb unwanted behaviors, namely howling and barking.

16. Saint Berdoodle

The Saint Berdoodle is a gorgeous hybrid that is a cross of the Poodle and Saint Bernard, giving us a very large, sweet-natured dog with the curly coat of the Poodle. The large size of this pup means lots of exercise, but they might be prone to lazy moments.

Saint Berdoodles might not be the best fit for families with young children because of their size, but they are easily trained. They will probably need brushing every day but might not shed as much as other dogs.

17. Schnoodle

The Schnoodle is a hybrid of the Poodle and Schnauzer and can be small all the way up to large depending on what size the parents are (both the Schnauzer and Poodle come in sizes small to large). These pups are very lovable, sweet, and playful dogs and are quite easy to train since they come from two very intelligent breeds.

Schnoodles need brushing every week and might need the occasional visit to the groomer. They are easy to train since they love to please their families.

18. Shih-Poo

The Shih-Poo is a combination of the Shih Tzu and Poodle, and they’re small bundles of joyous energy. While they are highly energetic, exercising won’t be too strenuous since they are such small dogs.

Training will be a challenge as these dogs are very stubborn and are known to be difficult to housebreak, so patience is key. Grooming might just be a monthly bath and a brushing once a week, depending on what kind of coat the dog inherits.

19. Yorkipoo

The Yorkipoo is the offspring of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Poodle and is a lovable pup that will enjoy playing with you as much as sleeping on your lap. They do need to be brushed weekly and given a bath about once a month, but they don’t shed and are hypoallergenic.

Training is quite easy thanks to their intelligence and eager-to-please nature, and exercise won’t take much because of their size. The Yorkipoo is a very low-maintenance dog that will be a great fit for almost anyone.

20. Whoodle

The Whoodle is a mix of Poodle and Wheaten Terrier and is a super energetic and affectionate dog. They can be small, medium, or large in size with a soft, curly coat and get along very well with children. They need a lot of exercise and would do best with the chance to run around a yard, or they might become destructive.

Whoodles need a weekly brushing and a trimming every 2 to 3 months. Training is pretty easy since these dogs are very intelligent and will learn quickly.

Final Thoughts

You might have noticed that many of these hybrids are half Poodle, and that’s thanks to the Poodle’s very high intelligence and hypoallergenic curly coat. Combining two dogs to get two or more desired traits found in one dog can only be a bonus. This is why many designer dogs are highly sought after and, in some cases, more expensive than their purebred parents.

There is some controversy surrounding this form of breeding, as many of these dogs end up placed in shelters. This is why you need to make a point of either dealing with reputable breeders or adopting from a rescue organization.

There’s no question that the end result of crossbreeding these purebreds gives us some pretty adorable dogs with some unique personalities. Research each hybrid before you consider bringing one home, and you might just find the perfect pup for you and your family.

See also:

• Winter Gear for Dogs
• Bichon Frise

Featured Image Credit: Lady A Photography, Shutterstock