Beware of Designer Breeds

Captbob · 02-16-2007, 01:27 PM

This is an article that was discussed on Dog Talk Radio program number 4 which can be found at the link on the bottom of my post and played or downloaded to your IPod.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...51C1A9609C8B63

The host, the Author of the Dog Bible and the Vet who is now a regular guest on the show have a 20 minute discussion of Designer Breeds and the problems that can occur when buying these breeds that are in vogue today..... It is really worth listening to and is the second topic on this hour long show. Remember it is the show# 4 dated 12/30/06

http://www.dogtalktheradioshow.com/podcast.htm

iwantmypup · 02-16-2007, 01:40 PM

oooooh yay thanks I look foward to listening to it , might be hard to find some time but it will work

tully · 02-18-2007, 11:34 AM

Well, I have a goldendoodle and I am sure that is a designer breed. I love him and think he is one of the best dogs I have ever had. I got him from an excellent breeder. I did a lot of research before I went ahead with getting him. He is now 1 and a joy to have. He is healthy, funny, smart, agile and active. He is a great brother to my 2 year old Lab. He is a mutt, lets face it, and does not have some of the problems our over bred breeds have. So, I am a supporter of goldendoodles anyway. I think labdoodles have problems because of the lab in them. If you don't knw labs, then you might not stick with them. So, in that instance to me it isn't because it is a designer breed but due to the novice owner and the lab in the dog.

MagicToller · 02-18-2007, 12:45 PM

Quote:

I think labdoodles have problems because of the lab in them. If you don't knw labs, then you might not stick with them. So, in that instance to me it isn't because it is a designer breed but due to the novice owner and the lab in the dog.

Not necessarily, Goldens are one of the most troubled breeds when it comes to genetic anomalies. This isn't to say Labs arn't because yes, they are very troubled as well, but it's apples to oranges - you can't say Labs in particular are crawling with issues and call the Golden immune.

..and I'm sure your breeder is a wonderful person, but that doesn't make a good breeder IMO. Breeding specifically for pet demands as well as a culteral demand for hybrids does not make you a good breeder.

nrhareiner · 02-18-2007, 12:55 PM

I belive Tully was not speking of genetic problems but differnces in personalities. I have owned both breeds of dogs and I will tell you there are a lot of differnces in personalities of the breeds.

Although I have had great success training both breeds at this point in my life I would not get a lab again however I will and do have Goldens and I have no doubt I will have several more with in the next few years do to the planes I have.

Heidi

tully · 02-18-2007, 01:13 PM

Yes NR, Exactly! I was talking about personality not genetic problems. Thanks for explaining it better than me. I have always had Labs until I got my doodle. I love them both. I am interested, if you wouldn't mind, explaining differences you have noticed.

I think Labs can be very hard headed. My Rory is something else. In the five element paradigm, he is all earth. He can be quite stubborn. He is also a total love bug though and would let you hug and snuggle him all day long. He has never gotten the idea of fetch though

He would much rather have the ball in his mouth and have you chase him!

MagicToller · 02-18-2007, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Yes NR, Exactly! I was talking about personality not genetic problems. Thanks for explaining it better than me. I have always had Labs until I got my doodle. I love them both. I am interested, if you wouldn't mind, explaining differences you have noticed.

Oh alright then, sorry for the mixup

tully · 02-18-2007, 01:46 PM

Hey Magic, wasn't meaning to diss ya

I just have gotten a little upset today with the posts on the "desginer" dogs.

nrhareiner · 02-18-2007, 02:35 PM

Although I have never had any problems training Labs or Goldens for that matter. I find as you said Labs have a tendancy to be more stubern and want to do it their way. Which is fine as what you are asking of them. They tend to like to think for themselves more then Goldens.

I have found that nither breed it great for the first time dog owner unless you are going to get some help training. The people next to me have 3 labs. All differnt personalities and the older one does exactly what she wants. She will not mind them well at all. I personally would not have a dog like that and the other 2 are not much better. The middle dog is a very soft dog and I would not trust her very far. The 3rd is just a pup and is doing OK however if they do not work better with her then the other 2 she will be no better. They will not take advice so their dogs just run all over. These are not at all bad dogs they just have bad owners.

Goldens I have found tend to be more of a dog who likes to please. Althoug my labs have been willing to please as well however they would be more willing to please you if it had to do with something they wanted over what you wanted. Goldens do not seem to differenciate between the 2.

What I have seen with most dogs even the "Designer dogs" is that poeple get this idea of the Golden laying at thier feet infont of the fire place. They do not see the work involved to get to that end product. They do not want to put in that daily training needed to get to the point that it looks easy. The problem is not the dog it is the owner. THey do not want to put in the work. These same people could have gotten just about any dog. Could have been a dog from a reputable breeder, a pound dog, you name it and they would end up in the same place. With a dog they did not like as it would not mind them.

Heidi