Designer Dogs

Is your definition of a designer dog really correct? Do designer dogs provide the certain genetic results that you want? How can you be sure you'll end up with a smarter, prettier, dog? You say that if you want a pug mix, all you have to do is find two parenting dogs with the genetics you want, and mix them together to "see which traits the youth will get." This is the key phrase, because breeding designer dogs is a guessing game, which you seem to have implied in that last statement. I can find a Golden Retriever and a Greyhound, breed them together and hope to get a dog with the temperament of a Golden Retriever and the eyesight of a Greyhound, but I am just as likely to end up with the stubborn, independent spirit of the greyhound and plain old Golden Retriever eyesight. A1: You said that Designer dogs offer and allow people to choose between a variety of different pets. However, have you stopped to think about all the numerous types of purebred dogs? There are sled dogs, gun dogs, herding dogs and so many more. Some, such as the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and Jack Russell Terrier have friendly, affectionate personalities, and some, such as the Shiba Inu, Dalmatian and Chow are much more independent. Also the Poodle, Bichon Frise, Maltese, Schnauzer, Kerry Blue Terrier, Bedlington Terrier and Soft Coated Wheaten terrier are all hypoallergenic. So you see, purebred dogs are available that can fit anyone's lifestyle or personality. http://www.akc.org... A2: Designer dogs offer improved results. As I already stated earlier, the results of a designer dog are not guaranteed, and, using your example, crossing a Golden Retriever with a German Shepard does not immediately give you an affectionate dog with a more protective personality. For example, the Golden Retriever "came into prominence because of the desire for a medium-sized dog that would do well in wild-fowling, both waterfowl and upland game." (AKC 59). It goes on to say that records were kept of the breeding of the Golden Retriever from 1835 until 1890 by Lord Tweedmouth of Scotland. As you can see, the time it took to produce a dog with the abilities they wanted took 55 years, a lot more time and a lot more complicated than a first generation cross. Also, I have to question what authority Charlie Sheen has on the subject of cross bred dogs. I could say that rocket science is the easiest science on the planet, but I would be surprised if anyone took my words seriously, since I know nothing about rocket science. A3: You say that "When designer dogs re-create and re-produce, they are offering to civilizations to the do populace. People have more than, to choose from then they may have originally had." However, Patti Strand, a member of the board of directors on the American Kennel Club and breeder of the winning Dalmatian in the Westminster Dog show says, "Crossing two different breeds masks recessive traits during the first generation, but in the second generation of designer dogs the negative genes reappear with a vengeance." So, if we had first generation designer dogs running around, soon we'll have deaf dogs with hip displaysia, and tracheal collapse staggering around the neighborhood, which will certainly not help the problem of homeless dogs that is very prominent today in our society. Lastly, there are only so many loving families wanting a designer dog. And it will be a sad day when all the cockapoos and schnoodles have taken over, their only purpose to be swept up and carried in designer purses, when the history of their breed will only involve a person interested in getting rich, and the legend of purebred dogs like the heroic Saint Bernard, or the loyal Bouvier des Flandres are forever lost in the Swiss Alps and the small town in Belgium. Purebred dogs have played a large part in our history, and the worst thing we can do is replace them with expensive replicas, their only claim to fame being their hypoallergenic fur.