While you might not care much about definitions of designer dogs and mutts when you’re looking for your ideal pup, the price tag surely cares! Designer dogs come with a premium price tag that can even exceed that of purebreds, but what makes a dog a designer dog?

Labradoodles are the classic example of a designer dog, but the reason for this might surprise you!

What Is a Purebred Dog?

Before we can discuss designer dogs and mutts, it’s helpful to understand what a purebred is! Breeders who raise purebred dogs should be able to produce their registration papers.

Each puppy’s parents must come from the same breed, and although breeder associations have various regulations, most require that the dog’s bloodline is at least 87.5% pure. Generally, purebred dogs should have ancestors of the same breed from at least five generations.

What Is a Designer Dog?

A designer dog is intentionally crossbred with different breeds to achieve a specific result. Unlike unintentional breeding, like when a dog mates with a neighbor’s dog of a different breed, designer dogs have two purebred parents in a breeding program.

Of course, this definition opens up the possibility for a wide range of designer dogs that many breeders would want to classify as “mutts,” but as long as the intent is there, they’re technically designer dogs!

What Is a Mutt?

A mutt can have a similar ancestry to a designer dog, but mutts are not usually produced by intentional breeding. However, if you have two intact purebred pups that mate, do they produce mutts or designer dogs? Technically, the offspring are mutts because they weren’t produced in a “controlled” breeding program.

Is a Labradoodle a Mutt or a Designer Dog?

When you look at the definition of designer dogs and mutts, it’s pretty clear that Labradoodles are designer dogs. Breeders intentionally breed Labradoodles with other Labradoodles, and originally, they intentionally bred Labrador Retrievers with Poodles.

There was a clear intent to create a new breed with specific traits, and the Labradoodle is a clear-cut example of where that was a highly successful endeavor.

When Does a Designer Dog Become Purebred?

If every purebred dog started off as a designer dog at some point, that begs the question, when do modern designer dogs become “purebred”? The truth is that it comes down to the seemingly arbitrary requirements set by each kennel club.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) and United Kennel Club (UKC) are two of the largest kennel clubs in the world, and they don’t even agree on when a dog goes from designer breed to purebred.

The AKC states that there must be 300 dogs distributed across 20 states, they must have a National Breed Club demonstrating interest, and there must be a three-generation pedigree.

That means that Labradoodles must breed with other Labradoodles for at least three generations. Many modern Labradoodles meet all these requirements, but it can take several years before they’re recognized as purebred dogs. Therefore, officially recognizing the Labradoodle is still a work in progress.

Final Thoughts

Whether a designer dog, a purebred, or a mutt, they all make great companions, so don’t judge a pup by their name! Get to know each dog and recognize they all come with their own personalities and quirks, and a label will only take them so far.

In the end, it doesn’t matter if a Labradoodle is a designer dog or a mutt; they will bring joy into your life and will always be by your side.

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Featured Image Credit: Lopolo, Shutterstock