I think the "mixed breed" thing is very popular right now. I know it is for sure in CA! I know some people that are paying a heck of a lot more than $450 for a mixed breed. A person in my office paid $600 for a maltese/poodle mix. When I was looking for a yorkie in CA, I found many maltese/yorkie mixes for $700-$800. I guess people buy them in the Bay Area for the cost, so they know they can mark it up!

Food For Thought
 

There are a lot of pure breed dogs in shelters too. Just check out www.petfinder.com and see for yourself.

If we all really want to help shelter dogs get homes, then we shouldn't even buy a pure bred dog from a breeder. Every pure bred dog that is bought from a breeder is taking a home away from one shelter dog -- this obviously applies to mixed breeds too.

I personally bought my 2 dogs from a breeder. But in the future, I plan on adopting one from a shelter.

Thanks guys, I'll be sure to let Biddy know about all the compliments! I guess it bothers me because people look down on people who own mixed breeds, but did not get them from rescue. There are tons of purebreds in rescue too (you should see how many Cairn Terriers need to be rescued - it's ridiculous!), but people don't have a problem with people paying upwards of $1000 for a purebred dog. I guess I don't think it's any of anybody's business how much another person paid for their dog - mixed or not. That means nothing to me in the scheme of things. Who cares what kind of dog another person has, as long as they love it & it's happy??

What if someone bought greyhound purebred puppy? Does that make them a bad person because they didn't save a greyhound from a racetrack? Not to me. They wanted to buy a greyhound puppy. None of my business...

I feel the same!

MUTT spelled in caps means bad, I'm sorry. :cool:

Well, I knew I was going to stir the doggie pot here.

This all originated with someone looking for a 'Porkie'. When I saw the prices I just couldn't believe what I saw. I paid about 300 - 350 for the 4 purebreds that I have and they came with papers. And on the other edge of the sword, the papers weren't important, but that is what someone (I believe) would expect with that kind of price tag.

First of all, like I said, I wasn't directing this post at anyone in particular. So please don't take offense. A lot of us come on here to vent. Freedom of speech is a beauftiful thing.

Secondly, the point of the post was that the breeders have given a title to something that has existed for a long time and are making tons of cash.

Thirdly, I didn't use the caps as a bad thing, but I obviously got peoples' attention. Call the dog a mutt, mixed breed, an oops or a unique blend. It still isn't a pure dog (and I don't have ANYTHING AGAINST THAT).

I know we wouldn't trade anything for our babies. As mentioned in my original post, I have TWO mixed breeds and I love them immensely. I wouldn't trade them for the world; they ARE priceless.

I guess the bottom line is that I am just upset that these breeders are what I feel, taking advantage of a trend that seems to be sweeping the nation. Put the word 'designer' on it and all the sudden its on the news!

This post was not to insult, degrate or put anyone down with their past, present or future dogs.

I didn't even know that Biddy was a mixed breed, but whatever he is he is extremely adorable. I don't think it's the breed of dog that makes a dog good or bad. It's the unconditional love they give you. I have one mutt if you want to call her that, and I wouldn't trade her for anything. SHe's loving, kind, obiedent, and smart as a whip.

Last year while attending an Agility event for dogs that aren't AKC
I was happy to see mix dogs competing and when they were
introduced they were introduced as "Here is Jack a 3 yr old All
American" Now I thought that was such a nice and dignified way
to define a mixed breed dog that I have used the term ever since.

Well first I don't know necessarily know if the breeders came up with the term designer dogs. The first two places I heard it were on the news and the newspaper. Many times our media makes up these terms. I have also heard many people that down these so called "designer pups" call them that more so than the people who are buying and selling them. Personally to me "designer dogs" has just as fowl of a meaning as mutts.

And secondly the designer dogs isn't the only craze out there. Small dogs in general are very popular right now. Mainly because as has been said before celebs are carrying them all over. So the price of pure bred dogs are being jacked up just as well.

I personally wouldn't be able to afford to pay what some people pay for their pure bred dogs that are pets not show dogs but does that mean I'm better or smarter than them no. There are things I choose to spend my money on that other people don't but you know just like we have the freedom of speech we also have the right to spend our money how we like. I'm in no way mad or trying to offend just to let you know.

There is a thread about Porkies that I had to vent on this afternoon. (yorkie and
pom mix) and they wanted to know what an adult would look like. How is that
possible. You buy a pure bred dog so you have an idea of size, temperament
and health. I have nothing against mix breed, we have had them but when they
start using our little yorkies and any other breed for that matter at will and mix
them on purpose it really
upsets me. I am not a breeder but good breeders breed to improve the breed
and urge people in every breed to breed as close to the standard as possible. BUT they wouldn't breed them if they didn't sell them and all I can say is "There is
one born every minute"

I understand that you want to vent, but I don't understand why you care about what other people do with their money?? You think that $400-$500 is too much to pay for a mixed breed dog. People pay thousands of dollars for purebred dogs, aren't they being "ripped off" too? You say you are talking about anyone in particular, but then you specifically point out the girl who wanted information on the "Porkie". I really just don't think it's any or your business what breeds of dogs people buy as long as they treat them well.

I love it!!! Aren't most of us Americans "mixes" anyway?? I am definitely using that term from now on!

Jennifer, I feel as you. There are so many dogs in shelters that we should all think about our next dog being one of these dogs that have been left behind by someone .

Well said - both of you. I couldn't agree more.