\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBoth are right, really. While the intention is good and you can end up with a very appropriate dog when you get the desired traits, you don’t always get them and, in the worst case scenario, you can get all the undesired traits. <\/p>\n
The ‘inventor’ of the labradoodle was trying to create a dog for a client who needed a service dog but whose husband was allergic. He thought that he could breed a dog that had the service-dog traits of a Labrador and the hypoallergenic nature of a poodle. It was a noble concept but it led to legitimizing the creation of ‘designer dogs’ — crossed breeds with cute and marketable names.<\/p>\n
I’m not saying every ‘doodle’ is a badly bred dog, as there are some very reputable breeders of crosses. But backyard breeders often try to pass off poorly bred dogs with designer names.<\/p>\n
The practice undercuts what the dog-breeding community has been striving for and the whole reason pedigrees (papers) exist, which is traceability. Being able to look back through a dog’s family tree to make sure the dog has a clean pedigree without health issues. <\/p>\n
As soon as you cross dogs, you remove the pedigree trees, as kennel clubs do not recognize these breedings and do not track them. <\/p>\n
Can a breeder use these pedigrees as a basis for their program, and continue the practice with non-pedigreed dogs? I guess so, but I have never heard of it being done.<\/p>\n
If a breeder continued a pedigree, like a kennel club does, and was able to show the lineage of an animal contained diverse and health-issue-free parentage, that would be great and something to look for.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, many barely record what breeds of dog a mixed puppy is. I have seen operations where dozens of litters of puppies are produced yet there is only one male and females are retained to use in the “breeding program.”<\/p>\n
Due diligence is key in adding a canine companion to the family. Please make sure the breeder you choose is a responsible individual, not someone just out for the cash.<\/p>\n
There are lots of tip sheets on buying a puppy and what to look out for, a little research can save a lifetime of heartbreak and expense. <\/p>\n
Contact Jeff with your questions or ideas at thrivepetfoodmarket@shaw.ca<\/a> or visit www.thrivepetfoodmarket.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>