What do you think about Designer Dogs?

Question

I don't know why people are so against designer dogs. Honestly I cant stand when people call them that anyway. They are hybrids. I have a 2 month old Brat terrier and he is an awesome dog. He is always eager to learn and does not have the health problems that a purebred Boston or Rat terrier would have. Also he will not have breathing problems like a boston either because his nose is longer like a rat terrier. People seem so against hybrid dogs. What do you guys think?

Answer 1

I'm not against hybrid dogs by any means... but like a lot of people, I think it's ridiculous to pay a ton of money for a mutt.. not that there's anything wrong with a mutt... they have far less health problems, generally, like you've stated.

A lot of people have it in their heads that hybrids are purebred and that pisses a lot of other people off, I think.  

Answer 2

Its not the dogs. Its the money hungry non health testing breeders we have a problem with and the prices they sell for.

ADD: There is no such things as a legit breeder of mutts. Unless they spent YEARS selectively breeding before they EVER sold one of their mutts and studying genetics. If their puppies are coming out relatively uniform and identical save for things like coat pattern then there is nothing legit about them.

Did the breeder of your dog do genetic screenings on the parents? Do you even know what those tests are? If none of the above was done that health guarantee meant/means nothing.

Answer 3

They are mutts.

People should not be intentionally breeding mutts and passing them off as something they are not. Especially while dogs of the same crosses die everyday.

Answer 4

They are NOT "hybrids"!  A hybrid animal is what you get when you breed 2 different species.  For example when you breed a horse and a donkey you get a mule.

Dogs are all the SAME specie.

"Designer" dogs are JUST MUTTS!  There is no such thing as a "legitimate" breeder!  Reputable breeders breed to improove or preserve a purebred dog.  You cant improove or preserve anything with mutts..  there's no standard, or working purpose so there's no goal to breed towards..  the pups will not be predictable in size, coat type, appearance, color, temperment, personality, health etc.  Even pups from the same litter come out totally different!

We also euthanize thousands of dogs daily in this country..  at least 75-85% are mixed breed dogs.  There is absolutly NO reason to breed more mixed breed dogs when there are already so many dying in shelters!  Your "brat terrier" is no more different or special than the thousands of other mixes that are in shelters now.

Anyone who breeds mutts is breeding with no regard to health or temperment..  its either an "oops" litter..  or they are breeding for profit.

We're not against the dogs..  Im all for people adopting a mix at the shelter..  a mutt is still a mutt after all, regardless of if you buy it or adopt it..  those mutts in the shelter once came from someone who allowed their dog to breed too!

Im against people who purposly breed them.. and the people who go and buy them, even when they know that its unethical!

Answer 5

i love them but people running puppy mills are sick and wrong. those poor dogs never get the life the need

Answer 6

Oh your talking about mutts, IMO you can't be guaranteed anything when it comes to mutts. I have nothing against them (happen to own one myself) which is healthy and w/ great temperament. But I rescued her.....

Fancy names only help to keep the shelters full of them and sadly most will find no home.

that is what I think.....

Answer 7

A true Hybrid is a dog crossed with a wolf...I learned that the hard way from asking a question on yahoo.....I own a hybrid and hes the best damned thing in the world.... 75 Malamute and the rest Siberian and Arctic wolf...A dog is a dog, not one is more special or should be loved less then the next purebred or mutt that comes along.

Answer 8

I think there is a slight difference between a cross breed and a designer dog.

My definition of a designer dog is:

A dog deliberately bred by an unscrupulous breeder from 2 different breeds, given a cutesy exotic name and sold to gullible buyers at ridiculously exorbitant prices.

There is nothing wrong with cross breeds, mutts, bitzers, whatever you want to call them.  I just have an issue with these "breeders" who charge outrageous prices for these dogs, particularly when they don't properly look after their breeding animals.  It is all about profit and there is no room for animal welfare with these people.  I also get angry with the ignorant people who get sucked in by the cutesy designer name and pay ridiculous sums of money thereby allowing these breeding scum to continue mistreating their animals in the pursuit of making money.