Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Designer Dog or ...

The subject of cross-breeding dogs really gets some purebred dog breeder's leashes all in a snarl.

Show Breeders:

If it is about doing what YOU want to do - then I guess you can just keep breeding dogs the way you have, although you might want to check out some of the newer ideas, and read about how other people feel about some of the established methods of dog breeding.

As the farmer in one of James Heriott's books said "You're never to old to learn something new."

Many of the "breeds" of dogs have become inbred and unhealthy - especially in some countries, with rare breeds, and in very common breeds that come from a small group of breeding dogs.

People who buy a 'pet quality' puppy, want a healthy puppy, not a sickly puppy, or one who dies young.

Most all of the people who buy a puppy for a pet, don't know much of anything about show dog judging, and can't tell a tenth place dog from a BIS winner.

If your line of dogs, or your breed, is suffering problems, you might want to try something new, to help create a better puppy.

One way to produce a puppy, generally free of doubled up recessives, is to buy a stud dog of a different, but compatable breed (one who doesn't have any of the same unhealthy genes that your dogs have).

The hybrid puppies might carry one copy of several defects, but so long as you choose breeding stock carefully, the puppies shouldl be healthy.

These first generation hybrid puppies are called "designer dogs" as are the 3 breed hybrids - like a snoodle X Maltese. But two hybrids, that have a breed in common, like two Labradoodles - do NOT produce a hybrid. More later.

I know it is hard, but try to read, and understand the view points of pet owners, the public, and rescue peoples - but be warned, these view points are presented to inform and motivate change, not as praise and brag sessions.

If your emotions get to hot, or if your feelings start to rule you, then go find a site that sings the praises you want to hear, and let the information trickle down to you at a rate that you are more comfortable with.