Hybrid Medium Dogs - Labradoodles And Goldendoodles

Designer or Hybrid dogs are all the rage now and many of these designer dogs are medium dogs. Two of the more popular medium-sized hybrid dogs today are the Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle.

Labradoodle
The Labradoodle is a cross between the Labrador Retriever and the Standard Poodle. The Labradoodle has the gentle temperament of the Labrador and the hypoallergenic* and low-shedding coat of the Poodle. As the Labradoodle is a relatively new breed, characteristics of the breed are still rather uncertain, sometimes more of the Poodle is dominant and at other times, more of the Labrador is present. For example, unlike well-developed breeds which have only one kind of coat, Labradoodles have three kinds of coats - Wool (tight curls, like a Poodle's coat), Fleece (soft wavy curls) and Hair (similar to a Labrador's coat) and their coats can come in all the range of colors of the Labrador and the Poodle. Labradoodles have inherited the best characteristics of the Poodle and the Labrador Retriever, being friendly, gentle, lively and highly intelligent.

Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Standard Poodle. Goldendoodles are also known as Golden Poos or Goldie Poos (such cute names!). Like the Labradoodle, the Goldendoodle has a light shedding coat like the Poodle's. But as the Goldendoodle is a relatively new hybrid breed, coat types and coat colors can vary widely, their coats can be curly, wavy or straight, and coat colors can vary from white to tan to brown and even black. The Goldendoodle a great family dog, affectionate, joyful, smart, loves to swim and has a high energy level.

Designer dogs or hybrid dogs are great companions and are as loyal and sweet as their purebred cousins but do consider some factors before buying a hybrid dog: make sure they come from a reputable breeder and note that as the hybrid dog is a combination of radically different breeds, sometimes unpredictable results may occur!

For example, as quoted from this article in the Chicago Tribune:

But these high-priced "designer dogs" also are increasingly exploited by abusive breeders at puppy mills and unscrupulous sellers, leading to more sick puppies and unhappy owners, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

Pet-store workers told Jennifer Tvrdik that her $900 puggle puppy (pug and beagle) should weigh between 15 and 30 pounds as an adult, she said.

Two years later, Rocky is 51 pounds."He just kept growing," said Tvrdik of Indian Head Park. "He has a very enormous head, big jaw, big mouth."
And from this article in the K9 Magazine:

“Oh what’s that unusual dog you have there?”

“It’s a Pomapekeapatador” (quite obviously a Pomeranian mixed with Pekingese and a little Patterdale and Labrador thrown in)

“Incredible, I’ve never heard of them. Where would I go about finding one?”

“The Internet. But be warned, they’re very rare” (and therefore expensive, desirable and I’ve got one and you haven’t)

See how this works?

The Pomapekepatador is what many generations refer to, rather cruelly, as a Heinz 57 (a bit of everything). A cross breed, a mix, a mongrel, a mutt. And they are as important, as clever, as giving and as worthy as any pedigree breed and there’s more than likely a rescue shelter near you chock-full of them. But don’t be fooled, ALL dogs are designer dogs. They all have the same ancestors remember!

Until next time :)

* Not completely 100% hypoallergenic

Tags: , , , , , ,

No comments: