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The designer-dog hybrid craze

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Poomachu! Bless you. Thanks, but no one actually sneezed. A Poomachu is actually a new dog breed, mixing a Chihuahua and a Poodle. The number of new dog breed hybrids is on the rise, with the world hungry for more.

But why do people cross-breed different types of dogs? Well, to cut all of the technical jargon and scientific mumbo jumbo, hybrids or 'designer dogs' were first bred to cater for the specific human health needs. One example is the popular designer breed the Labradoodle. This dog breed combines a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle to create a seeing-eye dog for people suffering from allergies. Another advantage of canine cross breeds is their longer and healthier lifespan compared to purebred dogs. Cross breeds can live for up to 17 years in ideal circumstances.

The list of crossbreeds is endless... it's hard to see what benefits some combinations bring, but someone obviously thought they were a good idea! Here's a selection of some of the funniest and most notable:

1. A Poomachu is half Poodle, half Chihuahua. Both small breeds are very cute - anything is possible if they are combined. Although there isn't much information available as of yet about this new pooch, it's definitely a designer breed to look out for.

2. A Boglen Terrier is a mix of Beagle and Boston Terrier. An improved characteristic of this new breed is its longer muzzle, reducing traditional Boston Terrier breathing problems and giving the breed better heat dissipation qualities. Boglen Terriers also don'’t have that Boston Terrier '“bug-eyed'” look, minimizing the chance of eye injuries.

3. A Chorkie is not a new type of food. It’ is actually a combination of a Chihuahua and a Yorkshire Terrier. Another name for this breed is the Yorkihuahua.

4. Care to have a Chug? This is a hybrid breed of a Chihuahua and a Pug. Also known as a Pughuahua, they are one of the most popular and in-demand hybrids currently available.

5. A Dorgi, on the other hand, combines a Dachshund and a Welsh Corgi. This hybrid is pure royalty after one of Queen Elizabeth II's Corgi’s had an “all-nighter” with Princess Margaret's Dachshund. What a royal combination!

6. Beware the attack of the Goldendoodle? Although this may sound like a new Chinese movie, it is actually a mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. This hybrid is also known as a Goldenoodle or a GoldenPoo. Definitely a show stopper!

“A Chorkie is not a new type of food. It is actually a combination of a Chihuahua and a Yorkshire Terrier.”

7. Would you want a Hug or a Jug? No, this isn't a new pick-up line. Well, maybe it is - why not try your luck (tell them I sent you). But if that doesn't work, the Hug is hybrid of a Husky and Pug, while the Jug is a mix between a Jack Russell Terrier and a Pug.

8. Pekeapoo, I see you! Do you have Peeping-Tom syndrome? Never mind - a Pekeapoo is a combination of a Pekinese and a Poodle. Pekeapoo’s shed very little hair and very little dander, perfect for people allergic to dogs.

9. Feeling hungry? How about some Schnoodle or Whoodle? Well, just make sure you don’t order this your your next Asian takeaway meal. A Schnoodle is a mix between a Schnauzer and a Poodle while a Whoodle is a combination of a Wheaten Terrier and a Poodle.

10. Don’t meddle with my Puggle! This cute breed is a mix between a Pug and a Beagle. While the Pug is known to have a very flat face, the Puggle tends to have a longer snout, reducing breathing problems. This hybrid is the ultimate lap dog and loves to cuddle every chance it gets.

However crossbreeding isn't for amateurs... who knows what you'll get if you cross a Bulldog and a Shih-Tzu? Happy breeding!

Patrick Ratzenberger's picture

Yeah, I'll do that pick-up line... "Hey lady, do you want a hug?" If I see her about to slap me, i'll immediately show her the HUG dog! LOL! That would be a sure win with the ladies! Hmmm... i think i'll go buy myself a hug dog. LOL!

Amelia Bowman's picture

i wnt a peakapoo! like how much is one hyrbd dog?

I think it is disgusting that people want to mix pure bred dogs to make them way they want them! They can buy mongerals at the Humane Society and give a mixed bred dog a new life. I have been breeding pure bred dogs most of my life...Honey Bell

Mat Johnson's picture

hahaha! what a riot! i never knew that such new breeds even existed! all these new dog breeds sound so funny! it would be really interesting to see some of them.

Tanya Saunders's picture

i have nothing against mixed breeding but i'm really a purist. i personally prefer purebred dogs rather than mixed breeds. it would look weird to me if i suddenly see a golden retriever with curly hair.

Libby Bowen's picture

This is kinda ironic because while we always shower our pets with love we sometimes lose ourselvs in the process and make them an instrument to satisfy our whims.. I dont see the point of hyrid dogs there are so may dog breeds to choose from..

Billy Dugan's picture

Y'know, if it does not harm or pose any problems, i don't think this cross breeding is disgusting. but if they mix breeds for the sake of experimenting and coming up with funny names, that's bad. i wonder what bulldog and shih tzu puppies would look like? will they look like bulls***? LOL!

Tomoya Soto's picture

This is just as bad as buying pets for the heck of it or for showing off honey bell is right, so many pets need a new home and instead of wasting time and money on mixed breeding w/ no real purpose just adopt..

Jeanne Garrett's picture

You could get funny sounding names when you mix breeds. Perhaps that's all the benefit you could get. You can't control the genes. What if you get the worst qualities of two dogs that were mixed? Then you end up with a dog with a lot of health problems. you can't choose what genes to combine right??

Daniel Finney's picture

mixed dog breeds are now the "in" thing although i really don't agree with their expensive prices.

Ruben Swingler's picture

Another money-making scheme. Mix breeds, give a bull sales pitch that it has these good qualities, think of a nice sounding name and you are in business! I am disgusted by these people who do such acts.

Irvin Zelasko's picture

thank you ms elizabeth for that enlightened comment i wish more people were like you. some people are just crazy and even crazy is sometimes an understatement.

I hate to say it, but these dogs called mutts. They are mixed breeds, not pure breeds and has anyone thought of the genetic complications of mixing some of these? Poodles are known for eye and heart problems, as are many of the toy breeds--why on earth would you want to create more of a problem, especially when there are so many dogs looking for homes. If you're going to breed, you should do so to improve a breed--not because you can.

Judith Birkett's picture

There is a reason why the AKC recognizes a lot of pure bred dogs. These hybrid dogs are not recognized at all because mixing breeds does not assure you that the dog will have the best of both worlds! one is doing more harm than good in producing these dogs.

Eleni Gordon's picture

What a waste of bright minds.. i won't be surprised to see cat hybrids..

Gracie Canaday's picture

isnt there a law that protects dogs from being mixed with other breed? or a regulatory committee?

the names are real funny but i don't wanna go as far as mixing the actual dogs.. this is just like animal testing in a way

Jerad Kreisler's picture

All there is to this are funny sounding names. Yeah, they made me laugh. but i don't agree with mixing breeds just to get a good laugh and a unique dog.

I recently mixed a labrador with my neighbor's chihuahua. It was touch and go there for a while, but we think we have created the world's first Chiador! We are so exited. It is an almost God-like feeling.

I've seen and been around a Goldendoodle,a Labadoodle, and a Puggle. With Puggles they have darling and great personalities. With a Beagle mixed with a Pug they have a lot less breathing problems and they seem to be a more hardy dog. With the Golden Retrievers and Labradors mixed with Poodles the biggest benefit that I know of is the less hair shedding which is excellent for alergy sufferers. I like most don't agree with the higher prices for the so called Designer dogs. A number of them are more expensive than some other pure breeds.

Toby Geller's picture

as far as i'm concerned, i'm happy with my pure bred retriever. what are these hybrids for anyway? i did some research and for some breeds, it's actually not a good idea to mix and match breeds.

Tomoya Soto's picture

I know it is none of my business but I hope that when people mix breeds its less because they want to feel godlike no offense meant for mr mike s, i am just saying that its like playing with lives imagine if it was done to us it would be utterly offensive.

Mike S., it's "excited". How much are you asking for one of the puppies? I'd love to have one!

I realize that some of the new mixed breeds can come across as pretty darn cute, and mixing some breeds for purposes of creating a better seeing eye dog, or to cut down on allergy problem for people who couldn't own a dog otherwise could have it's benefits. However after reading about the people who cross bred a Chihuahua with a Lab I was completely shocked. I can only hope that the bitch was the lab and daddy was the Mexican heart trob. Please tell me this is so. I could not imagine my little Chihuahua giving birth to lab puppies. The 4 she had with a min-Schnauzer were almost more than she could handle. Go ahead and mix breed your love ones but always be sure to use common sense when choosing your next designer dog.

I think it's remarkably sad that we as americans kill MILLIONS of companion animals each year, yet you people continue to creat breeds. Breeds that are already walking mutations. Have a heart adopt a mutt. Don't think your froo froo dogs dont end up in shelters, they certainly do. You should be ashamed of yourselves!

Leroy Hodges's picture

We are a land of extreme pet owners. we treasure them so much almost suffocating them with things they dont really need and then we treat them sometimes like they are just toys we can play with. breeding canines give us feeling of being like god and its sad and sick

Isabella Valencia's picture

Good thing they don't mix and match cat breeds! Or do they? gosh... whhat if they did? I really hope that no one experiments with hybrid cats!

Megan Turnbull's picture

there are already hybrid cats out there.

Natalie Gershon's picture

Gosh, why can't people be contented? There are hundreds and hundreds of dog breeds out there, why do they have to make new ones? Is it for their own pleasure like, to answer what if's? -- "what if i mix a poodle and a labrador? oh it looks cute, i'll call it a labradoodle!" (rolls eyes) sheesh.

Libby Bowen's picture

is that a serious question? There are hybrid cats! check ur wikipedia

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