The designer dog craze shows no sign of abating, much to the dismay of the thousands of dogs stuck in shelters. A lot of the demand is sheer hogwash. You think people wake up one day and decide that the dog they really want is a Pekingese crossed with a Poodle? No. They hear the word “Pekeapoo” and think: I want that. Whatever it is. Pekeapoo — I need a Pekeapoo!
And thus more Pekeapoos are churned out, also Schnoodles, Cavachons, Morkies, Cockapoos, and Chiweenies. Time recently did a good piece on designer dogs, with a lot of startling facts, notably: Designer dogs often cost 20 to 50 percent more than purebreds, more than 10 percent of registered designer dogs have a Poodle parent, and the Morkie (Maltese/Yorkshire Terrier) is currently the most popular breed by litters born in 2014, running $2,000 per puppy.
The article also has an interesting video featuring a litany of popular mixes. Here’s a peek:
Of course, not all of this is sheer hogwash. The article notes that one of the reasons for the Puggle is because it can inherit the muzzle of the Beagle, eliminating the breathing problems often associated with the short-nosed Pug. But what if he doesn’t? What if he gets the short-nose of the Pug, making breathing difficult, and full-fire hunting instinct of the Beagle, making high-energy exercise mandatory?
For those considering a designer dog, we suggest you tamp down your enthusiasm for a moment and visit some shelters first. The dog of your dreams could be right there, just waiting to meet you.
Via Time
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