what do you think about the "designer dogs"? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

BLowry · 02-19-2006, 06:29 AM

I was just on some "designer dog" sites. I have owned many different dogs in my life from Mutts to pedigree. I now own a beautiful little yorkie girl and have another one on the way. I love all animals and understand what these backyard breeders are trying to achieve cross breeding. But,,,,what I don't understand are the prices of these mixed breeds. I remember getting these little "mutts" or "Heinz 57's" for free! Now they are selling them anywhere from $800.00 up to $2500.00!!! WHY!? The AKC doesn't recognize them as a purebred (not that it makes a difference to me because I think all dogs are adorable) but why pay that kind of money for a mutt! I paid $1000.00 for Sadie and will be paying $1500.00 for my new furbaby. Am I being a "pedigree snob"? or does anyone else here feel the same way.

schatzie · 02-19-2006, 06:35 AM

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.

red98vett · 02-19-2006, 06:41 AM

Quote:

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 agree and will leave it at that

smmrpm · 02-19-2006, 06:41 AM

I think they are just takin advantage of the popularity factor! They are getting people to pay their prices, if you want something bad enough I guess you will be willing to pay. I agree with you though I don't see myself paying that kind of money for a mixed breed - "designer" I think is just another term to help get that money like "shorkie" or "peek-a-poo", they know that if they put a $800 dollar price tag next to the word mutt or even mixed breed it would be hard to sell. Don't get me wrong I think these guys are cute as can be!! But I also worry about the fact that sometimes ,with unscrupulous(sp) breeders, these come about because someone has an akc something or another and another akc of another breed and neither one is a good representation of their own breed so they figure they'll put them together and see if they get something cute. I definitely don't mean to offend anyone and I know accidents happen and that's where some of these cuties come from - I am only upset by the ones like I said throw two dogs together just because of the money they think they can get because of the popularity. JMO

chachi · 02-19-2006, 07:05 AM

Well i hate what the word designer dog seems to imply but there are alot of mixed dogs on here that are cute. I prefer pure breeds though.

Cookie2 · 02-19-2006, 07:50 AM

I've owned mutts and purebred myself. This was years ago and at that time they were not called Designer Breeds or whatever. They were called "mixed" because the term mutt sometimes inlsulted the pet owners. It is honestly insane to charge $1000 -$3000 for a mixed breed no matter how cute it is ,it's still NOT purebred.

Genie

yorkiesmiles · 02-19-2006, 08:26 AM

I agree I hate the term designer dog - what a bunch of hoopla over nothing.

I don't get this. The prices folks are paying for these mixed dog breeds is unbelievable. There's no registry, yet they get these absorbant prices for what a few years ago would have been considered a mutt, a mistake - you know the neighbors dog, a lab, got our female poodle while she was in heat - type of situation. Some dog owners would have in the past gone as far to have those type of mistakes aborted!

My aunt actually use to have a sheep dog-poodle mix yrs ago, because of a mistake. Maybe that could be a new design - actually to cut down on the huge size of the sheep dog.

Do you think AKC or anyone else would ever recognize these dogs?? I know they occassionally add a breed, but how many decades will it take for any of these "designer" dogs to break into a registry. Or will they first loose their appeal and again be known as a mutt.

ok - I had posted some of this yesterday in another thread, about the news story. But I'm just passionate about this. As a former breeder of Bichons and Siamese, I just can't imagine bilking people out of the thousands folks are paying for these dogs!

LDteddys · 02-19-2006, 10:11 AM

Baylee is a yorkiepoo and she will be three yrs. old in March. I had her before they started using the term designer dog, but I love her very much and wouldn't trade her for any of your purebreeds.

Sorry to have bother any of you with my questions in the past couple of weeks. We won't bother you any longer.

Lisa & Baylee

schatzie · 02-19-2006, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDteddys

Baylee is a yorkiepoo and she will be three yrs. old in March. I had her before they started using the term designer dog, but I love her very much and wouldn't trade her for any of your purebreeds.

Sorry to have bother any of you with my questions in the past couple of weeks. We won't bother you any longer.

Lisa & Baylee

Our feelings towards this is nothing personal towards you. Please don't take it as if we are doing so.

YOU or ANYBODY else is NEVER a bother with questions on Yorkie Talk. This is why we are all here.

Of course you wouldn't trade your Yorkiepoo for anything in the world, nobody would ever expect you to do so. None of us would trade any of our furbabies either!

yorkiesmiles · 02-19-2006, 10:31 AM

I'm sorry if I offended you.

My problem is with the breeders of these so-called designer dogs and the folks out there paying inflated prices.

Your pup is sweet and there are alot of folks on YT who have a mixed Yorkie. Please don't abandon YT.

I doubt if 3 yrs ago you were out paying some huge price for your pup, or leading the designer dog bandwagon

stacisnyder04 · 02-19-2006, 10:35 AM

I have a so called "designer dog" too. He is a yorktese and I love him to death. I think it is kinda stupid on the prices some pay. I got mine for $250 because he was a mix and not reg. and she felt she shouldnt charge more than that. However, she does breed them for that, it was not an accident. Some people get mad about that too, but I am lucky that she breeds yorktese becuase I would never have gotten my little astro.

LaviniaHyacynth · 02-19-2006, 10:42 AM

Come on guys...haven't we all learned this lesson? How many people have to leave from being insulted? It is perfectly okay to have the opinion that you do not like the term" teacup" and you don't like" designer dogs" but leave it at not liking the people that profit from it and leave the owners who love their dogs just like you love your dog out of it. There are people in this country that can and will pay any price to get what they want and that doesn't make them bad or lousy pet owners. Money is not an issue to many people and they will pay any price if the dog is what they have been looking for. My dog is 4.5lbs and I wanted a small dog and I found one and I love her dearly.
THe term designer dog was invented by the press to describe the phenom of people buying mixed breeds. I agree that it is a shame when so many mixed dogs die in this country in shelters...that being said..the person with money will buy these dogs to assure that they are getting the mix that they want...they do not care if the dog is AKC...they care if it is what they are looking for. The puggle is a good example of the press selling the dog...most people would never know or want to buy this dog if the press had not plastered adorable puppy pictures everywhere. Our country is driven by marketing.
LDTeddys...Please don't leave YT...you have every right to be here and share the joy of your Yorkiepoo. I grew up with a cockapoo...I had no idea the Buddy was fashionable I just loved him dearly.

JMHO

Chloebear · 02-19-2006, 12:02 PM

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.

LaviniaHyacynth · 02-19-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

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.

SnowWa · 02-19-2006, 12:38 PM

We shouldn't be against designer dogs (mixed breeds). They are cute wonderful little pets. 15 years ago, I paid $350 for a little Poodle/Pom (the same price as most purebreds then) - and she was one of the most wonderful pets I have ever owned. She was raised by a reputable breeder. (These mixed breeds are not bred by "backyard breeders" anymore than purebreds are.)

AND - Please - how often do I read here on YT about people asking about Yorkie mixes and other small dog mixes - and the general concensus is that they are "just adorable" and "how cute" and "can't wait to see the pups," and "Oh, I wish I had one." There certainly has never been much prejudice against these little mixed breeds by our members. And, I have always been very happy to see this.

The reason these dogs are expensive is because they are "small and darling"
and like most small purebreds, people are willing to pay a lot for them. I saw a Yorkie/Pom on the Internet the other day that was the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life. If I were in the market for a small dog - he certainly would be on my list - and I would be willing to pay quite a bit for him too.

I see no problem. Purebreds and mixed breeds have been in this world forever and ever - and there will always be both. This shouldn't be a problem. A vet on TV said that these little mixed breeds will probably have fewer health problems than some of our purebreds are having.

Small dogs (purebred or mixes) are very very popular - and will always be worth whatever people are willing to pay for them. If you paid $1500 for a Yorkie and I paid $1000 for a Yorkie/Pom - why would this upset anyone? I'll bet we'd both have darling little pets that we'd love forever.

I do think people who are prejudice against mixed breeds and prefer only purebreds - (and who think mixed breeds aren't "worth much $$$) are snobs.

We have worked so long and so hard to overcome prejudices regarding different races and nationalities of people and the mixing of different races. Why can't we see that our pets are equally wonderful and equal in every way also. And, as far as what people are willing to pay for any dog - doesn't have anything to do with anything. Each of us has the right to get whatever dog we want --- and pay whatever we are willing to pay for any dog. They are all worth a million dollars.....just ask someone who owns and loves their "mutt." They'll tell you.

I absolutely hate the word "mutt" when it is used in a disparaging way. And, what does "only a mutt" mean - how terrible!

I personally think some of these little small dogs mixes are delightful wonderful additions to the many choices we have when we go looking for a little pet.

I own a Bichon and a Yorkie ---but remember my little Poodle/Pom......I will miss her every day the rest of my life.

Carol Jean

02-19-2006, 06:29 AM	#1
BLowry My furkids Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,625 Blog Entries: 1	what do you think about the "designer dogs"? I was just on some "designer dog" sites. I have owned many different dogs in my life from Mutts to pedigree. I now own a beautiful little yorkie girl and have another one on the way. I love all animals and understand what these backyard breeders are trying to achieve cross breeding. But,,,,what I don't understand are the prices of these mixed breeds. I remember getting these little "mutts" or "Heinz 57's" for free! Now they are selling them anywhere from $800.00 up to $2500.00!!! WHY!? The AKC doesn't recognize them as a purebred (not that it makes a difference to me because I think all dogs are adorable) but why pay that kind of money for a mutt! I paid $1000.00 for Sadie and will be paying $1500.00 for my new furbaby. Am I being a "pedigree snob"? or does anyone else here feel the same way. __________________ Brenda

02-19-2006, 06:35 AM	#2
schatzie *Moderator Emeritus* Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Tontitown Arkansas Posts: 4,909	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. __________________ ~~~~ Schatzie and Ransom ~~~~

02-19-2006, 06:41 AM	#4
smmrpm Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 800	I think they are just takin advantage of the popularity factor! They are getting people to pay their prices, if you want something bad enough I guess you will be willing to pay. I agree with you though I don't see myself paying that kind of money for a mixed breed - "designer" I think is just another term to help get that money like "shorkie" or "peek-a-poo", they know that if they put a $800 dollar price tag next to the word mutt or even mixed breed it would be hard to sell. Don't get me wrong I think these guys are cute as can be!! But I also worry about the fact that sometimes ,with unscrupulous(sp) breeders, these come about because someone has an akc something or another and another akc of another breed and neither one is a good representation of their own breed so they figure they'll put them together and see if they get something cute. I definitely don't mean to offend anyone and I know accidents happen and that's where some of these cuties come from - I am only upset by the ones like I said throw two dogs together just because of the money they think they can get because of the popularity. JMO __________________ Max, Piper, Emma & Buttercup Click HERE to see our Pictures

02-19-2006, 07:05 AM	#5
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	Well i hate what the word designer dog seems to imply but there are alot of mixed dogs on here that are cute. I prefer pure breeds though. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

02-19-2006, 10:11 AM	#8
LDteddys Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 21	I'm sorry you all feel that way............. Baylee is a yorkiepoo and she will be three yrs. old in March. I had her before they started using the term designer dog, but I love her very much and wouldn't trade her for any of your purebreeds. Sorry to have bother any of you with my questions in the past couple of weeks. We won't bother you any longer. Lisa & Baylee

02-19-2006, 07:50 AM	#6
Cookie2 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 1,568	I've owned mutts and purebred myself. This was years ago and at that time they were not called Designer Breeds or whatever. They were called "mixed" because the term mutt sometimes inlsulted the pet owners. It is honestly insane to charge $1000 -$3000 for a mixed breed no matter how cute it is ,it's still NOT purebred. Genie

02-19-2006, 08:26 AM	#7
yorkiesmiles Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,493	I agree I hate the term designer dog - what a bunch of hoopla over nothing. I don't get this. The prices folks are paying for these mixed dog breeds is unbelievable. There's no registry, yet they get these absorbant prices for what a few years ago would have been considered a mutt, a mistake - you know the neighbors dog, a lab, got our female poodle while she was in heat - type of situation. Some dog owners would have in the past gone as far to have those type of mistakes aborted! My aunt actually use to have a sheep dog-poodle mix yrs ago, because of a mistake. Maybe that could be a new design - actually to cut down on the huge size of the sheep dog. Do you think AKC or anyone else would ever recognize these dogs?? I know they occassionally add a breed, but how many decades will it take for any of these "designer" dogs to break into a registry. Or will they first loose their appeal and again be known as a mutt. ok - I had posted some of this yesterday in another thread, about the news story. But I'm just passionate about this. As a former breeder of Bichons and Siamese, I just can't imagine bilking people out of the thousands folks are paying for these dogs!

02-19-2006, 10:31 AM	#10
yorkiesmiles Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,493	I'm sorry if I offended you. My problem is with the breeders of these so-called designer dogs and the folks out there paying inflated prices. Your pup is sweet and there are alot of folks on YT who have a mixed Yorkie. Please don't abandon YT. I doubt if 3 yrs ago you were out paying some huge price for your pup, or leading the designer dog bandwagon

02-19-2006, 10:35 AM	#11
stacisnyder04 I Love My Boys Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,504	I have a so called "designer dog" too. He is a yorktese and I love him to death. I think it is kinda stupid on the prices some pay. I got mine for $250 because he was a mix and not reg. and she felt she shouldnt charge more than that. However, she does breed them for that, it was not an accident. Some people get mad about that too, but I am lucky that she breeds yorktese becuase I would never have gotten my little astro. __________________ Staci , Cosmo, Astro, and Blu (RIP) Cosmo's Age: http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt...k/d69e/age.png Astro's Age: http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt...k/9c6a/age.png

02-19-2006, 10:42 AM	#12
LaviniaHyacynth Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: montclair,nj Posts: 925	Come on guys...haven't we all learned this lesson? How many people have to leave from being insulted? It is perfectly okay to have the opinion that you do not like the term" teacup" and you don't like" designer dogs" but leave it at not liking the people that profit from it and leave the owners who love their dogs just like you love your dog out of it. There are people in this country that can and will pay any price to get what they want and that doesn't make them bad or lousy pet owners. Money is not an issue to many people and they will pay any price if the dog is what they have been looking for. My dog is 4.5lbs and I wanted a small dog and I found one and I love her dearly. THe term designer dog was invented by the press to describe the phenom of people buying mixed breeds. I agree that it is a shame when so many mixed dogs die in this country in shelters...that being said..the person with money will buy these dogs to assure that they are getting the mix that they want...they do not care if the dog is AKC...they care if it is what they are looking for. The puggle is a good example of the press selling the dog...most people would never know or want to buy this dog if the press had not plastered adorable puppy pictures everywhere. Our country is driven by marketing. LDTeddys...Please don't leave YT...you have every right to be here and share the joy of your Yorkiepoo. I grew up with a cockapoo...I had no idea the Buddy was fashionable I just loved him dearly. JMHO __________________ Rest in peace my sweet angel dog, Lavinia Hyacynth, Vivi. I love you forever. Bear healed my broken heart!

02-19-2006, 12:02 PM	#13
Chloebear Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Plano Posts: 57	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. __________________ Princess Chloe's Mom Nikki

02-19-2006, 12:38 PM	#15
SnowWa YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 2,992	We shouldn't be against designer dogs (mixed breeds). They are cute wonderful little pets. 15 years ago, I paid $350 for a little Poodle/Pom (the same price as most purebreds then) - and she was one of the most wonderful pets I have ever owned. She was raised by a reputable breeder. (These mixed breeds are not bred by "backyard breeders" anymore than purebreds are.) AND - Please - how often do I read here on YT about people asking about Yorkie mixes and other small dog mixes - and the general concensus is that they are "just adorable" and "how cute" and "can't wait to see the pups," and "Oh, I wish I had one." There certainly has never been much prejudice against these little mixed breeds by our members. And, I have always been very happy to see this. The reason these dogs are expensive is because they are "small and darling" and like most small purebreds, people are willing to pay a lot for them. I saw a Yorkie/Pom on the Internet the other day that was the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life. If I were in the market for a small dog - he certainly would be on my list - and I would be willing to pay quite a bit for him too. I see no problem. Purebreds and mixed breeds have been in this world forever and ever - and there will always be both. This shouldn't be a problem. A vet on TV said that these little mixed breeds will probably have fewer health problems than some of our purebreds are having. Small dogs (purebred or mixes) are very very popular - and will always be worth whatever people are willing to pay for them. If you paid $1500 for a Yorkie and I paid $1000 for a Yorkie/Pom - why would this upset anyone? I'll bet we'd both have darling little pets that we'd love forever. I do think people who are prejudice against mixed breeds and prefer only purebreds - (and who think mixed breeds aren't "worth much $$$) are snobs. We have worked so long and so hard to overcome prejudices regarding different races and nationalities of people and the mixing of different races. Why can't we see that our pets are equally wonderful and equal in every way also. And, as far as what people are willing to pay for any dog - doesn't have anything to do with anything. Each of us has the right to get whatever dog we want --- and pay whatever we are willing to pay for any dog. They are all worth a million dollars.....just ask someone who owns and loves their "mutt." They'll tell you. I absolutely hate the word "mutt" when it is used in a disparaging way. And, what does "only a mutt" mean - how terrible! I personally think some of these little small dogs mixes are delightful wonderful additions to the many choices we have when we go looking for a little pet. I own a Bichon and a Yorkie ---but remember my little Poodle/Pom......I will miss her every day the rest of my life. Carol Jean __________________ http://tinypic.com/ipxhmb.jpg A Yorkie is worth a thousand words.