Designer Dog Breeds: List and Traits
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It is well known that designer dogs are simply hybrid crossbreeds from purebred parents. However, these increasingly popular hybrids are now well established as good pets that often have unique and desirable traits. Characteristics like minimal shedding, non-allergenic hair coats, and friendly dispositions are but a few of these. Today we bring you a designer dog breeds list and we dive deeper into their traits and pros & cons.
This is a series devoted to designer dogs, you can read part one What Are Designer Dogs? here, part two Designer Dogs: Love ‘Em or Leave ‘Em here and part four Designer Dogs Need Proper Care and Training here.
Designer Dog Breeds List
The Goldendoodle is a hybrid dog breed that is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. These dogs are friendly, intelligent, and active. They are great family pets and are often used as therapy dogs due to their gentle nature.
The Labradoodle is a popular designer dog breed that is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. These dogs are known for their friendly, intelligent, and active personalities. They are great family pets and again due to their gentle nature are great candidates as therapy dogs.
The Goldador is a prized cross from a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Labrador Retriever. This hybrid is easy–going, fun to train, a great but large family dog, a good swimmer, and an outstanding companion dog. Because of their amazing hunting and retrieval skills, the Goldador is highly prized among bird hunters and law enforcement. Regrettably, this designer dog may suffer some dysplasia problems inherent with the purebred parents. Before you buy one from any source, be sure to get the parent’s health and pedigree papers.
The Pomsky is a small, high maintenance dog resulting from breeding a Pomeranian with a Husky. A fairly new hybrid and definitely an adult’s dog, the Pomsky looks like a miniature Husky. The Pomsky is a very attractive and popular designer dog. Because of their small size, the Pomsky is very desirable for adult apartment dwellers but this hybrid is not recommended for homes with small children. Why not? Because small kids may unintentionally hurt this small dog resulting in the dog being injured and the child getting bitten.
The Cavacho. Contrary to the Pomsky, the Cavacho is very playful and is usually great with kids. This cross between a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a purebred Bichon Frise is always playful, curious, and friendly. This hybrid is very smart, attentive, and wants to learn new things making a great choice for a family dog.
The Cockapoo is another popular small to mid-sized family (8 to 30 lbs.) dog that is a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. This hybrid’s coat may be many different colors and a bit on the course side requiring frequent grooming. These dogs are affectionate, playful, and intelligent. They are energetic and are usually great with kids making them excellent family pets.
The Puggle is a popular designer dog breed that is a cross between a Pug and a Beagle. These dogs are small in size and are known for their affectionate, playful, and stubborn personalities. They make great apartment dogs and are perfect for families with children
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Pros and Cons of Designer Dogs
Pros:
- Stand-out Features: Many designer dogs will have a special feature or unique appearance that makes them stand out from other dogs. This can be a big attraction for many people who are looking for a dog that is special to them.
- Health Benefits: In some cases, breeding two different purebred dogs together can result in healthier offspring. This phenomenon is called “hybrid vigor” and is fairly common in first generation crossbreeds. This hybrid vigor can often lower the chances of genetic problems that commonly occur in some purebreds.
- Personality Traits: Designer dogs often have a mix of traits from both parental breeds. This can often predispose the hybrid dog to being well matched to your particular lifestyle, needs, and personality.
Cons:
- Expensive: Designer dogs can cost a lot, often the price for a pup can be thousands of dollars. This is a direct result of the high demand as well as parental breeding, pregnancy, birthing, and weaning difficulties.
- Unpredictable: Since designer dogs are often a first generation hybrid of two completely different breeds their temperament can be hard to predict. The weight, size, personality, and other traits can also be unpredictable. Quite often this can result in challenges you may not have prepared for.
- Unethical Breeding: Some less-than-desirable breeders partake in unscrupulous business practices when breeding and selling designer dogs. They know designer dogs are in much demand and they are in it solely to make easy money. Such breeders don’t care about the puppies, they see them as just a commodity. This can mean breeding dogs that are closely related, raising the dogs in small cages with poor ventilation, inadequate nutrition, little or no concern for health and comfort, and simply breeding dogs for a big profit by cutting back on necessary expenses.
While there are certainly pros and cons to consider when it comes to designer dogs, ultimately the decision to bring one home is yours. It’s important to do your research and find a reputable breeder who takes proper care of their dogs.
According to PetCareRX, there are now some 500 designer dog breeds and counting. The choice is very hard and the pounds are filling up with dogs. So know what you really want and can live comfortably with. Also, be careful about who you get your new dog from–do your due diligence!
If you are thinking of adopting a dog, this guide walks you step by step through the process, helping you to a create a happy gotcha day for your pup.
Designer Dog Breeds List: 7 of the Most Popular
Check out the breed and their temperament and likes.
Goldendoodle
Friendly, Smart, Obedient Active, Playful, Walks, Fetch
Labradoodle
Friendly, Smart, Obedient, Active, Playful, Walks, Fetch
Goldador
Friendly, Smart, Obedient, Athletic, Playful, Walks, Runs, Fetch, Chews, Chase
Pomsky
Friendly, Playful, Fragile, Double Coat–Needs To Be Brushed Often. May Bite, Little Kids Not A Good Mix
Cavachon
Friendly, Active, Average Intelligence, Playful–Good with kids, families, seniors, other pets. Minimal Shedding, Minimal Barking
Cockapoo
Loving, Friendly, Smart, Brushing, Petting, Playing
Puggle
Loving, Friendly, Smart, Brushing, Petting, Playing
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