Page 291 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

CROSSBREEDS

CROSSBREEDS

Dogs of mixed breeding vary from the so-called designer dogs, with purebred parents of two

different recognized breeds, to the bit-of-everything type, the result of accidental, random crosses
(see p.298). Some designer hybrids are now extremely fashionable. They are mostly given whimsical

combination names, such as Cockerpoo (a Cocker Spaniel-Poodle cross).

One of the reasons for creating crosses, although occasionally it has traits found in other breeds, such
modern hybrid dogs was to mix proved possible to produce a standard as the collie’s enthusiasm for work,
the desired characteristics from one and attempt to breed dogs to type. An and the tenacity of the terrier.
breed with the non-shedding coat of example of this is the Lucas Terrier Prospective owners of a crossbreed,
another. A cross of this type currently (see p.293), the result of crossing the designer dog should take into account
enjoying great popularity is the Sealyham Terrier (see p.189) and the personalities and temperaments
Labradoodle (see p.291), a mixture of the Norfolk Terrier (see p.192). of both breeds involved in the mix.
Labrador Retriever (see p.260) and Currently, few such crosses have These may be very different and either
Poodle (see p.229). However, achieved official breed recognition. one might predominate. It is also
even when the parents are readily Deliberate mixing of two specific important to consider both parent
recognized breeds such as these, it breeds to produce particular dogs’ requirements for general care
may be impossible to predict which characteristics has proliferated since and exercise.
side of the family the puppies will the end of the 20th century, but is by All crossbred dogs are commonly
favor. Labradoodles, for example, no means a modern trend. One of the believed to be more intelligent than
show little consistency from litter best-known crossbreeds, the Lurcher pedigree dogs, but there is no sound
to litter, some puppies inheriting (see p.290), has been around for several evidence for this. Random breeds
the curly poodle coat while others hundred years. This dog combines the are often said to be healthier than
are more obviously influenced by qualities of speedy sight hounds, such purebreds, and it is true that they are
the Labrador parent. Such lack of as the Greyhound (see p.126) and at much lower risk of the inherited
standardization is common in designer Whippet (see p.128), with desirable diseases prevalent in some breeds.

289