designer pups...???

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by Ladyhawk

No one has put anyone down for owning a mixed breed, I grew up with mixed breeds. We probably paid around $35. for one. What we are saying is that we think it is wrong for people to mix the breeds, call them designer dogs and charge people a mint for them. They are not an established breed and the temperments and health issues that may come with them are therefore unknown. If I purchased a poodle pup I would know what to expect as far as temperment, health issues, and looks when it grew up. Same goes with each established breed, there is a standard to breed by. You pay more for the dog because it is purebred and you are more likely to get what you were looking for when it grows up. When you buy a mix you never know what you will get. It may take after either parents, both parents or neither. A yorkie poo may look like a poodle, a yorkie or neither. It may have the health issues of either breed or bless it's heart it may have both. It may have a yorkie temperment or a poodle one. You won't know until it's grown. It should cost less because you are taking a gamble.

I don't think this is always the case. You have to research and trust the breeder of pure bred dogs also. If we have learned nothing else on YT, the one thing that all of us have learned is not all yorkies are created equal.

If the breeder of a mixed breed is using dogs that are both good examples of their individual breeds the temperament should be as predictable as using two dogs of the same breed. As for the looks well that's another story.

[Nancy1999]

The reason people made purebreds in the first place was so that the dog would be good at certain jobs, or look a certain way. With mixed breeds you're playing with many more genes, and it's harder to predict what the grown up dog will look like or its behavior traits. Anyone interested in buying mixed breeds should visit their local pound, there are many to choose from, and you can see what they will look like when full grown. Some of them are indeed beautiful, and already housebroken. I hope no one buys a mixed breed from a breeder; too many are being put to death each day.

[KimberlySRN]

Originally Posted by durtymydawg

So from what I've been reading...this is what I gather!

1. Its all about the $$ issue that either you sell them for equal amount as a purebred...why not if someone is willing to pay a decent price? I don't agree with selling them for tons of $$, but I think any decent puppy is worthy of a fair price.

2. Why create more un-neccessary pups when the world is full of them at the shelters....if you truly feel that way then don't breed dogs at all. Don't buy registered or purebred dogs from a breeder and pick your pup/dog up at the shelter. Not trying to sound mean...all dogs or animals deserve a good home. If everyone felt this way then no one would be breeding purebred dogs either.

3. True- what is known as a purebred Yorkie is what started as a cross bred mutt somewhere years ago...just like a paint horse is a mix of different breeds. The assc. was called American Painted Quarter Horse Assc. years ago and then they dropped the word..."Quarter"....and now call it American Paint Horse Assc....correct me if I'm wrong. It happens no matter what animal were talking about...someone-somewhere is crossing breeds to either develop something better or just to give what some people want...a Mutt or as some would say "designer pup".

4. I say, if it sells and is in demand and you can ask and get a fair price for it, then why not offer them? I don't see it hurting the purebred dog, or destroying his or her qualities, and I don't think people are allowed to add them to the AKC or UKC registries. It not like your going to breed a Shorkie back to a reg. Yorkie and be able to have AKC accept it into the registry. Your always going to have people that want that odd ball looking animal, that someone comes along and says..."what is it, its so adorable?".

5. Why not shun the outside registries that are not AKC or UKC....APRI, APR, CKC (continental - not canadian)....or whatever else people have started....just to say there dog is registered or pure. Some of these registries, if I'm correct just go off from the pic of the animal...I would think people would put a stop to that, more so then worry about people mixing breeds and calling them "Designer"....I hate looking at ads, trying to find great quality Reg. purebred pups and then find its only reg. with something like APRI...whats the sense? Its sometimes because of laziness and the breeder doesn't want to have to have their animal DNA done....or maybe the price of registering is cheaper.


Thankyou for responding and being so kind....I expected to really hear the fireworks or be told off. I'm glad for all the responses from people all over the country. I geuss if someone comes to me and wants to crossbreed, then I'll have to make that decision on whether its worth crossing them or not.

1. I truly believe value is only what the buyer puts on it, in short, the pups are only worth what people will pay for them. If a person pays "X" amount of money for a pup they obviously feel that that pup is worth that much, no matter if they are pure or not. I think the problem is with the buyers not doing enough research. Of course a person making a fast buck is going to charge more and more if people are willing to pay for it. I don't think I am as concerned with the price of the pups compared to the reason why the person is breeding the pup. But then again I guess it is a vicious cycle because people continue to breed cross breeds because people are willing to pay for them.

2. I believe that all pups deserve a great forever home. It is not their fault they were brought into this world. I use to volunteer at a no kill shelter that was located next door to a humane society and the number one thing people were looking for was a purebred. Of course they wanted a nice, healthy pup, but they were more often then not looking for a purebred dog. I'm not saying at all that purebreds are any better, but it is what it is. In that situation and many I have seen a purebred was more likely to get a home over a cross breed.

3. Yes, all dogs are the result of crossbreeds, but I don't think a person should just breed without a dedication and a goal they are trying to achieve. If you are breeding to improve your breed, or are creating a breed (truly) then that is another story. But the latter is rare, and I have yet to meet a breeder of cross breeds that really bred for this reason.

4.To breed just because of a demand is in my opinion not right at all. Puppymills breed because they know people will buy them and they will make a profit. I'm not saying all cross breeders are equal to puppymills but in theory, if we are breeding for supply and demand, this is the same basis. Breeding for demand makes it sound like its because of the money.
In actuality breeding cross breeds does effect the established breeds. I am thankful that the AKC has re-evaluated their guidelines and have made it harder for dogs to be registered because I know in the passed they had problems of crosses being registered. Thank goodness for DNA.

5. The other "registries" are shunned by many. Most breeders that are suspended by the AKC use the other registries to show their dogs are still registered with something. (I know many people regard the other registries as good as a piece of paper that says, "this dog is purebred." So basically useless.)

Again, we all have our opinions and I respect everyones.
I agree with many of you, and am happy to see many speaking out on a bit of a sore subject.
All animals have their faults but why add more to a breed unless you are prepared for the consequences. A responsible breeder breeds for the betterment of the breed, not just because people will buy them.

[yorkiekist]

Originally Posted by Ladyhawk

I don't see why you should put the bitches life in danger if there is not a goal in producing the litter. Just wanting to make money or experience the birth of puppies is not an acceptable reason for having a litter in my opinion. When you are mixing the question must be asked, what are you trying to produce. If money is the answer you're being irresponsible with your bitches life.

[yorkiekist]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

The reason people made purebreds in the first place was so that the dog would be good at certain jobs, or look a certain way. With mixed breeds you're playing with many more genes, and it's harder to predict what the grown up dog will look like or its behavior traits. Anyone interested in buying mixed breeds should visit their local pound, there are many to choose from, and you can see what they will look like when full grown. Some of them are indeed beautiful, and already housebroken. I hope no one buys a mixed breed from a breeder; too many are being put to death each day.

[C C Kent]

The trend is towards making a profit while not being judged by any standard. No record keeping, no way to say one breeder's Malti-Poo-Chi-Chon is better quality than another. How many of the breeders that are mixing breeds are dedicated to a new breed? Few if any.

A line from a movie seems to apply;

"Hey Mister, what're you sellin' ?"
Reply "Brother....I'm sellin' whatever your buyin' "

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by YorkichonBella

I'm going to try to be polite so this is what I know:

The term "mutt" generally refers to a dog of unknown descent. It was originally not viewed to be derogatory. Some use this term with no disrespect, while others....well let's just say NOT!
The term crossbreed refers to puppies produced by the breeding technique of breeding known dogs of two different purebred dog breeds for some specific reason.
There is no guarantee of good genetic health, or temperment, of any dog, purebred or otherwise, as not all damaging genes are recessive, and there are relatively few single-gene traits. Also, of course, purebred and mixed-breed dogs are equally susceptible to nongenetic ailments, such as rabies, distemper, injury, and infestation by parasites.
Some owners value a dog's pedigree as a status symbol and, therefore, have no use for mixed-breed dogs; others particularly appreciate the physical or behavioral traits of certain breeds; still others ignore pedigree and, instead, value a dog's personality and health.
Local animal shelters adopt out dogs of both purebred and mixed ancestry, emphasizing each dog's personality and suitability as a companion for each potential owner's lifestyle.

I think this is really well put. When someone said that the potential is not only to bring out the best of both breeds but the worst also, if they are speaking of genetic traits then yes, both are possible. Anything is possible in genetics! To predict what kind of cross will be produced from a breeding is not possible. But, as others were saying, if some breeder is trying to create a new breed, they are taking on a huge responsibility to these dogs not only for their well being, but their health in general. That I truly respect. Mixed breeds of known decent, mixed breeds of unknown decent all have a chance of being beautiful dogs. I guess I just love dogs!!!

However, people who use the labels "teacup", "designer dog", or use the claim that it is "rare" to add on more $$ to a price tag, now that I don't agree with! If a person is charging the same for a mix than it is for a purebreed I don't find anything wrong with that. But if any of the marketing terms are used to create a huge profit, then I start to question the breeders intentions.

I would be willing to purchase a dog that is a cross breed for the same amount as a purebreed yorkie. As long as the breeders knows, and their conscience is at ease then why not? Vet bills are the same for a litter of pure bred yorkies than it is for a litter of mixes. Just my two cents...

[MyTrixie143]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Anyone interested in buying mixed breeds should visit their local pound, there are many to choose from, and you can see what they will look like when full grown. I hope no one buys a mixed breed from a breeder; too many are being put to death each day.

Sorry but I have to disagree. If that is the case then no one should buy a purebred from a breeder either, they should look for them in a pound because there are just as many purebreds in the pound that are being put to death every day. The shelter close to me has far many more purebreds than mixed breeds.


I don't agree with labeling them as "designer dogs" and charging a high price for them.
I think it all depends on the breeder, mixing breeds and their ethics. If they are just breeding for money then yes they are doing alot more damage than good.
But if they are really doing their homework and knows what they are doing then I wouldn't see why people wouldn't want to buy from them.
But then again a majority aren't doing this, so you still have to be cautious but that goes with purebreds as well.
I think more than anything, it is the breeder you have to look at and their intentions and knowledge of what they are doing.

I have a yorkiepoo, Trixie. She does have the best of both worlds. She has the yorkie attitude but the poodle brains. She is the smartest and most trained dog in our house.
And yes I did get her from a breeder and wasn't charged much for her.

[jennylee333]

Originally Posted by Ines3185lyorkie

I am not for someone making money because the dog is in "fashion".

BUT........ ALL DOGS THAT ARE NOW RECOGNIZED BY AKC..ETC..HAVE COME FROM MIXING OF BREEDS.

It is everybody's right to buy whatever dog type they want, they should not feel persecuted or ashamed for doing so. the only one that should judge anyone is GOD!

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by MyTrixie143

Sorry but I have to disagree. If that is the case then no one should buy a purebred from a breeder either, they should look for them in a pound because there are just as many purebreds in the pound that are being put to death every day. The shelter close to me has far many more purebreds than mixed breeds.


I don't agree with labeling them as "designer dogs" and charging a high price for them.
I think it all depends on the breeder, mixing breeds and their ethics. If they are just breeding for money then yes they are doing alot more damage than good.
But if they are really doing their homework and knows what they are doing then I wouldn't see why people wouldn't want to buy from them.
But then again a majority aren't doing this, so you still have to be cautious but that goes with purebreds as well.
I think more than anything, it is the breeder you have to look at and their intentions and knowledge of what they are doing.

I have a yorkiepoo, Trixie. She does have the best of both worlds. She has the yorkie attitude but the poodle brains. She is the smartest and most trained dog in our house.
And yes I did get her from a breeder and wasn't charged much for her.

I did get most of my dogs at the pound, but this time I wanted specific breed. I wanted to know what it would look like and how it would behave within reason of course. Perhaps in Florida many purebreds are being put to death, but this just isn't the case in most places, as most places have rescues and foster homes for purebreds. Are they putting Yorkies to death in your town? If this is the case, I'm sure something can be done about this, and you might want to contact one of the national rescues, most pounds work with them, and even if a purebred comes into the pound he's usually given to the rescue before people have a chance to see him.

I chose a breeder who has a policy where she will take the dogs back, no matter how many years have passed. Many good breeders do this, and so I feel like they are not contributing to all the unnecessary dog deaths. This is what I think is a responsible breeder should do.

[DukesMommy]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

Yup that is pretty much what I got from it also.

I find it interesting that the price is always one of the major objections. Just as it is for the off colored yorkies and the so called 'teacups".

People also object to people who breed for quantity and sell cheap.

FYI I also object to this practice, but only because these are puppy mills that don't take care of their dogs and sell their puppies too young.

For those of you who want a "designer' dog and don't like the price. Have you ever offered less to see if they would take it? With the economy the way it is, it's difficult to get a decent price out of a pure bred yorkie let alone a mixed breed.

I personally don't agree with selling dogs for a major price either way. When I got Duke, the breeder was selling the males for 800, females for 1000. Because I was neighbors with the breeder, they actually decided to charge me only half of what they were for everyone else. That price then was pretty much an average for the breed, I think (I may be wrong)..They took great care of their dogs, had health screenings done, etc. the only thing they didn't do was show them. Now I have seen Yorkies being sold for up to 5000 from some people....I just don't see that as reasonable. It seems like because they became popular, people raised the price, just because there are people that will pay it.

[michaela]

when i started looking for a pup i intended to buy a pedigree pup. i came across my chihuahua x yorkie and went to have a look. the lady i got her from had rescued several dogs including 2 yorkie girls she also owned a chihuahua which she was led to believe was unable to produce pups. unfortunately for her he was and both girls ended up having pups. the lady did sell her for a small amount and she came with a puppy pack. she is a happy healthy pup and i am glad i found her.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by DukesMommy

I personally don't agree with selling dogs for a major price either way. When I got Duke, the breeder was selling the males for 800, females for 1000. Because I was neighbors with the breeder, they actually decided to charge me only half of what they were for everyone else. That price then was pretty much an average for the breed, I think (I may be wrong)..They took great care of their dogs, had health screenings done, etc. the only thing they didn't do was show them. Now I have seen Yorkies being sold for up to 5000 from some people....I just don't see that as reasonable. It seems like because they became popular, people raised the price, just because there are people that will pay it.

$5000 is an unreasonable price for any breed of dog, whether purebreed or mix. That can just serve as huge red flag that these are people wanting money than to breed their dogs to improve the breed. At least that's what I'd think after seeing that kind of price tag.

[BamaFan121s]

The way I feel about it is, I HATE it. I think that to lable a mutt as a "designer dog" is very misleading. It seems to be nothing but feeding a fad and a way for "breeders" to pull a profit without having to worry about the pups being judged as quality because there is no standard, no guidelines to judge them to. I don't see alot of cons and basically no pros to the practice. I think it's a big gamble and for what? I don't understand what the goal of doing it is and am against any form of breeding "just because" you can. I think that for those wanting this type of dog, adopting one from a shelter is a better option.

[DukesMommy]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

$5000 is an unreasonable price for any breed of dog, whether purebreed or mix. That can just serve as huge red flag that these are people wanting money than to breed their dogs to improve the breed. At least that's what I'd think after seeing that kind of price tag.

The places I've seen where they were charging $5000 for them were definitely questionable places. One was promoting themselves by using celebrities that supposedly bought puppies from them. But I have also seen them sold for $3000 which I still think is a bit much.