what do you think about the "designer dogs"?

[bosslady]

I think some of the mixes are beautiful and would make wonderful pets. I have nothing against them. I would have one myself if I saw one I fell in love with and wanted another furbaby. (I already have three) I have had many registered dogs over the years and most I have never even sent in their registration because I was not going to breed them so it meant nothing to me. I certainly don't look down on any dog who is not registered. However, I don't quite understand the breeders asking really high prices for dogs that can not be registered. I am certainly not knocking anyone, I just don't understand it.

[StewiesMom]

I think all dogs are cute. I am not a purebred snob. Stewie is the first purebred I've owned. I just get sad when there are so many homeless animals in the world and people are breeding mixes. I get sad that so many PUREBREDS are overbred, too. I think that everyone should help control the overpopulation of pets and one of the things to help would be to stop bad breeding, overbreeding and purposely breeding mixes. Every animal deserves a chance at a loving home. Get a mix from a shelter!

[yorkitails]

How many of you that don't like the term "designer dog" have or crave designer handbags or designer clothing or designer watches or whatever? The retail world and the media cater to this because we send the message that it is what we want.

[MeganS]

Purses and clothing aren't real living things. They're accessories. Dogs shouldn't be accessories. I personally have nothing against mixed breeds, but its when breeders and other people charge a lot of money - sometimes more than you would pay for a pure bred - for mixed breed dogs. JMO of course

[schatzie]

Originally Posted by yorkitails

How many of you that don't like the term "designer dog" have or crave designer handbags or designer clothing or designer watches or whatever? The retail world and the media cater to this because we send the message that it is what we want.

I have never once ever thought of Ransom or Schatzie as being an accessory as a handbag or cute jeans. Theres just no relation at all with a living dog to retail.

[txshopper73]

Originally Posted by MeganS

Purses and clothing aren't real living things. They're accessories. Dogs shouldn't be accessories. I personally have nothing against mixed breeds, but its when breeders and other people charge a lot of money - sometimes more than you would pay for a pure bred - for mixed breed dogs. JMO of course

Well said, Megan! How can one compare inanimate objects to living beings???

[LovinMyYorkie]

Ya know, like many other topics, this is somewhat political. Seeing as I don't mind the politics, I'll share my thoughts on the matter.

Unfortunately, money makes the world go round. It's just the way it is. Do you have ANY idea how much marketing companies and executives clear each and every year??? How many hours and how much money they spend trying to find ways to present products to the public in a manner that will result in higher sales and higher price tags??? How many of us have gone to shop at a MAURICES or OLD NAVY instead of going and purchasing the exact same thing for half the cost at WAL-MART OR TARGET???

SugarDaddy ($900, and worth every cent) is my second purebred. I've previously owned a TOY POODLE (birthday present from a friend who's mother bred them) and an ALASKAN HUSKY-TIMBERWOLF CROSS ($250, well worth it). Do I consider either of my purebreds more valuable than my Socks (Alaskan Husky-Timberwolf)??? NO, I LOVE THEM REGARDLESS OF PEDIGREE!!!

Now, if we were talking about gasoline or some others of life's necessities, it would be called "price gouging" and be illegal. However, we are talking about our canine companions. I THINK IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FIND A REPUTABLE BREEDER NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF PUPPY YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. Now, I don't mean to offend anyone here, but if you are looking for a mixed breed... you should first check out the shelters. You may not find what you were originally looking for, but some of the best things in life find us.

As for breeders, I don't care if you are breeding purebreds or mixed breeds. I think it is MORALLY WRONG TO PRICE GOUGE LIVING BEINGS!!! We will ALL agree our babies are worth every penny we spent on them, regardless of what amount that may be. What the h*ll is wrong with the world??? People are willing to do whatever they have to in order to make whatever they are selling appear more valuable. They throw in words like "exotic", "rare", "designer", "teacup", etc. to turn a bigger profit. Like was said in one of the previous replies, people are willing to pay whatever the price tag is for whatever it is they want.

Bottom line, people are GREEDY! They see a demand, so they spruce up their marketing skills (perhaps go online), use "cutesie" terms, and add a large price tag. Please, remember I am refering to both purebred and "designer" breeders.

[velobabe]

I have nothing against mixed breeds. I would LOVE to be owned by a Morkie, fell in love after seeing pics of several YT members furbabies, but upon looking on websites I was disappointed to see that some breeders wanted just as much or more for Morkies then they did for Yorkies. Again, I would love to own one but I have a hard time justifying giving the asking price to these breeders. I fell in love with a Cocka-Poo last weekend...just precious!! Many mixed breeds are hard to resist...so sweet...but the prices can quickly turn you away!!

[yorkiegal719]

Originally Posted by yorkitails

How many of you that don't like the term "designer dog" have or crave designer handbags or designer clothing or designer watches or whatever? The retail world and the media cater to this because we send the message that it is what we want.

Nope! I do not even want to wear designer clothes, you know why? I think that they should pay ME to advertise their clothes, not the other way around, LOL. I love all dogs, regardless of their background. What I do have a problem with is breeders who see this as a "fad" and a quick way to make money by putting two dogs together and asking prices way too high. Usually if pure breed breeders are asking prices on the high side, they usually have put a lot of work and time into their breeding program and the pups usually don't have major problems. You see, I said "usually" there is no guarantee but a good breeder will give you one, will a breeder of "designer" dog do the same? That's my only pev, the dogs themselves are priceless ...

[heather_lathrop]

Originally Posted by schatzie

The term "designer dogs" in itself is a turn off! I feel It is a phrase used for nothing more than to describe or give meaning to greed by humans.

I totally agree!

[BabyF'sWarden]

Originally Posted by Chloebear

I have a mixed breed (yorkie/maltese) that is absolutely the best dog in the world (not just saying that b/c I am her mom lol). I paid $700 for her and would gladly pay much more. I don't mind that people discuss 'designer pups' and mixing breeds and breeders who profit off of it. The only thing I find insulting is the way it comes across. To me it sounds as though some of you are saying that mixed dogs are not worth as much as purebreds. Unless you are breeding or showing, mixed breed dogs find the same spot in their owners hearts as your dogs and you can't put a price on that. Whether a breeder profits off of it or not does not bother me...I am paying for a bestfriend that could never be replaced. I am grateful to the breeder for bringing that in to my life.

I hope everyone stays around because there is a ton to be learned from this site...but I can certainly understand why some of those with mixes would not feel welcome here at times.

Here Here!! Couldn't have said it better myself

[whispersmom2]

I know I should not take these discussions as lightly as I do but I also know, not one mind will be changed by what is posted so I eep my posts light. I am waiting for a TH, Polo, or similar designer include designer mutts in co-ordinating colors doing that wierd model walk down the runway in gay Paree!!!! A mutt is a mutt and I love em too. What I don't love is a person with a clear conscience holding out their hand for $500.- $2500.00 prices.. There really are a lot of these mixed breeds (and yes, I know they are FAR more large breeds than toys) and maybe if we put the amount of time searching for one of those rescues, we might save a lot of bucks and still get a wonderful puppie.
I still am grateful for forums where we can exchange niceties and not-so-niceties.. Families do not always agree and that is sorta what we are..
Now, I gotta go to do the hourly feeding on Thumbelina...and get some sleep before Ilsa starts nesting..

[BabyF'sWarden]

Is a Biewer considered a "designer" dog? I have to say I have fallen in absolute love with them. I know what you guys are saying about paying any price for your furbabies. I would just about pay anything for some of the Biewers I've seen. JMHO

[lilbumbleybees]

i feel the same way. Yes, I groom some of these so-called "designer dogs" and they're sweet babies as any other dog, but there is nothing special about them next to any other dog. I can go to the pound or any rescue organization and find at least 1-2 of each "designer dog" for about $50 and be saving a life rather than making new ones that, not to offend anyone, will never matter on paper. I have two Yorkies and I have two "pound" dogs. Would I ever pay that rediculous amount for a "designer dog" while millions of the same freaking thing are dying and starving for love? Hello no. Do I think people are stupid for buying them. I think they're stupid to spend that kind of money, but I guess so long as you love what you got it's your money and I'm not concerned with how you spend it. it just perturbs me that people spend it on dogs they can get from the National Humane Society or another Rescue Orginization. Anyway, there's how I feel. They're cute, but not worth that kind of money. Either go purebred or resuce. There is no other way for me.

[lilbumbleybees]

Originally Posted by BabyF'sWarden

Is a Biewer considered a "designer" dog? I have to say I have fallen in absolute love with them. I know what you guys are saying about paying any price for your furbabies. I would just about pay anything for some of the Biewers I've seen. JMHO

Biewers are not a "Designer Dog". They are actually a Yorkie, but there was a "mutation" that was bred again to bring out the gorgeous colors they have. They are not AKC recognized, but are recognized by several other associations.