Of Shoes and Ships and Sealing Wax: The Dark Side of Designer Dogs

With man’s best friend enjoying the current surge of dog popularity, it seems that everyone wants to be in on the act. Celebrities have dogs, politicians have dogs, college students and their professors have dogs. Big, burly men walk Toy Poodles, while pretty girls strut their stuff with Pitt Bulls at their sides. Dogs join their owners at outdoor cafes, and pampered pooches go along on shopping trips, ensconced in elaborate (and expensive) carriers designed for this purpose. The dog world has become a topsy-turvy place. New breeds, questionable registries, and the entrepreneurial spirit have combined to make buying a dog a complicated affair. Do your homework, and hold on to your wallet. You might not be getting what you expect.

DESIGNER DOGS

Designer dogs have become the rage. These new breeds are usually a cross between two standard breeds. Labradoodles, Poo Tzus, Teddy Bears, Pomapoos, Yorkipoos…the list goes on and on. The cute catchy names alone are endearing. Combine the name with a cute little furball, and you’ve got a winner, right? Maybe not. When two breeds are crossed, the result is not guaranteed. The rules of genetics tell us that some offspring will have dominant traits, and others will manifest recessive traits. A good breeder understands how genetics can affect future generations. But amateur breeders often lack the credentials and background needed to ensure healthy offspring. Many lack interest or concern in these areas, preferring to go for the quick cash while popularity drives demand. Breeding a nonshedding dog to a shedding dog does not guarantee a nonshedding animal. Crossing breeds that have similar health problems almost promises offspring who will manifest those problems. So here’s the secret you need to remember: designer dogs are really mutts.

BREED REGISTRIES

If you are looking for a purebred dog with papers, make sure you know which group issued the papers on your prospective pooch. For over 100 years, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has established and maintained the criteria for breed standards in the United States. There are other registries, too, but it is very important to understand what is required for registration. For a $12.00 fee, anyone can register their dog with the Continental Kennel Club (CKC). If you have a witness who will attest that your dog is purebred, then CKC will register it as purebred. And they will provide litter registration for all litters, no questions asked. (Is is just me, or is there an eerie resemblance here to the AKC web site?) It is the buyer’s responsibility to know what registration papers really mean. Just because a puppy is registered does not mean that it is a purebred dog, or even that the breed is recognized as anything more than a “mixed breed”. Do your homework. Don’t pay extra money for something unless you understand what you are paying for.

CHA-CHING!

For some entrepreneurial types, jumping on the dog popularity trend has been very profitable. Take two standard breed dogs, hook them up, then slap a ridiculous price tag on their offspring while touting all the best characteristics of both breeds, advertise on one of the many free internet sites, and watch the cash come rolling in. Over the past 10 months, the prices of these dogs on Kijiji.com have continually increased. Dogs that cost $300-$400 last year, are now listed at $500 and up. Small mixed breed dogs are blatantly advertised with made up names at prices over $800. Because posting an ad to these free sites requires only an email address, it is a simple matter for puppy mills to change the contact info from one litter to the next. It’s no wonder that the same photos get recycled into new ads at different times.

WHAT NOW?

Mutts can make great pets, and it is possible for a purebred dog to fall short of the mark. Hybrids can and do become recognized breeds after meeting specific criteria. Many breeders are knowledgeable, reputable people who take great care and pride in their work. Still, if you are in the market for a new four-legged companion, a little research ahead of time can save a lot of heartache and vet bills later. Know the breeder and ask for references. See the puppy where it was raised, and ask to see the parents, too. If pedigree is not the important thing in your selection, then check the local animal shelters and consider rescuing an animal. Designer dogs are showing up at shelters in record numbers. And exercise great caution in buying sight unseen.

Caveat emptor!

The Continental Kennel Club (CKC) is not the same as the American Kennel Club. With a photograph and a fee, you could register Scooby Doo as a Toy Poodle and you would receive papers attesting to that. If you paid extra for a dog with CKC papers, you may only have a registered mutt.