It seems like everywhere you turn these days, someone is talking about modern dog breeds known as designer dogs. From the Yorkshire Terrier-Poodle mix (a.k.a. the Yorkiepoo) to the Labrador Retriever-Pomeranian mix (a.k.a. the Labradorpom), there are endless combinations of breeds to choose from.
So, why are designer dogs all the rage? Read on to find out!
What are Designer Dog Breeds?
Contrary to popular belief, a designer dog is not a mixed breed dog of two different purebreds. Rather, a designer dog, aka a hybrid dog, is a crossbreed of two different breeds that have been bred specifically for their desirable characteristics. Each parent is a purebred dog.
For example, the Labradoodle was bred to create a hypoallergenic guide dog for people with allergies to dogs. Another popular example is the Cockapoo, which was bred to create a non-shedding, low-maintenance companion dog.
The American Kennel Club does not recognize designer dogs. Instead, they are registered with the American Canine Hybrid Club.
The Pros of Owning a Designer Dog
There are many benefits to owning a designer breed.
- One of the most common reasons people opt for a designer dog is because they want a dog with specific physical characteristics or personality traits that can be found in more than one breed. For instance, if you want a small dog that doesn’t shed, you might opt for a Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel-Poodle mix) instead of choosing between a Poodle or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
- Another common reason people choose designer dogs is because they want to avoid some of the hereditary health problems that are common in certain purebreds. For example, Boxers are known to suffer from heart problems, while Poodles often have skin issues. However, when you cross a Boxer with another breed (such as a Bulldog), you decrease the chances that your dog will inherit those health problems.
- Lastly, many people simply think designer dogs are cute! And who can blame them? With their unique physical features and charming personalities, it’s no wonder these pups have taken over the pet world!
The Cons of Owning a Designer Dog
While there are many pros to owning a designer dog, there are also some potential drawbacks that you should be aware of before making the commitment to add one of these furry friends to your family.
- One potential downside is that because designer dogs are relatively new (at least compared to purebreds), not much is known about their long-term health prospects.
- Another possible downside is that, depending on which breeds were used to create your pup, they might inherit some less-than-desirable traits from one or both parent breeds—such as separation anxiety or excessive barking.
- Lastly, because they’re in such high demand, designer dogs typically cost more than mixed breeds or purebreds—sometimes even twice as much! So, if you’re considering getting a designer dog, be prepared to spend extra money on your new furry friend.
Here are 20 Popular Designer Dog Breeds:
1) Maltipoo
The Maltipoo is a hybrid dog breed created by crossing a Maltese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle. This breed inherits the best traits from both parent breeds, making it an intelligent, affectionate, and low-shedding companion dog.
Maltipoos are known for their hypoallergenic coats, which can be either straight or curly. In addition, they come in a variety of colors, including white, cream, apricot, and brown. Maltipoos typically weigh between 6 and 12 pounds and have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
These dogs are friendly with both people and other animals, making them ideal family pets. They are also relatively easy to train and can be good watchdogs when necessary.
2) Labradoodle
Labradoodles are a hybrid breed of dog, created by crossing a Labrador Retriever with a Poodle. While Labradoodles were originally bred as assistance dogs for people with allergies, they have since become popular pets in their own right.
Labradoodles are intelligent, loyal, and affectionate, and they have a low-shedding coat that is perfect for people with allergies. With their outgoing personalities and love of play, Labradoodles make excellent family pets.
And thanks to their Labrador heritage, they are also great companions for active people who enjoy spending time outdoors.
3) Cockapoo
Cockapoos are one of the most popular designer dogs, and it’s easy to see why. They’re cute, intelligent, and low-shedding, making them a great choice for families with allergies. But there’s more to these pups than meets the eye.
Cockapoos are a hybrid of two breeds: the American Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle. This mix results in a dog that is highly trainable and eager to please. Cockapoos are also known for being particularly affectionate, making them wonderful companions.
4) Chorkie
The Chorkie is a hybrid dog breed created by mixing a Yorkshire Terrier and a Chihuahua. Even though they are small dogs, they have a lot of energy and personality. They are also very loving and devoted to their owners.
Because of their mixed heritage, Chorkies can inherit the best qualities of both breeds. For example, they can be less yappy than purebred Yorkies, but they still have the Terrier’s courage and spunk.
They also tend to be healthier than purebred dogs since they have a wider gene pool to draw from.
5) Malchi
Malchi is a cross between a Maltese and a Chihuahua. They’re small dogs, but don’t let that fool you – they have a lot of energy and personality. Malchi are very loving and affectionate and love being around people.
They’re also very intelligent, and they can learn tricks quickly. One thing to keep in mind with Malchi is that they’re not good at being left alone – if you’re gone for long periods of time, they may start to bark or become destructive.
6) Goldendoodle
Goldendoodles are a popular type of dog, and it’s easy to see why. They’re friendly, loving, and intelligent and make great family pets. Goldendoodles are also known for being low-shedding, which is a huge bonus for anyone who doesn’t want dog hair all over the house.
But what exactly is a Goldendoodle? A Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Standard Poodle. This mix results in a dog that has the best of both worlds – the friendly, laid-back personality of a Golden Retriever combined with the intelligence and trainability of a Standard Poodle.
Goldendoodles are highly social dogs and love nothing more than being around people. They’re also very active, so they need plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy.
7) Mal-shi
The Mal-shi is a hybrid dog breed that is a cross between a Maltese and a Shih Tzu. These dogs are small in size and typically have a soft, silky coat that can be either white or light brown.
Mal-shis are intelligent dogs that are easy to train and make great companion animals. They are also relatively low-maintenance in terms of grooming, and they don’t shed very much. Despite their small size, Mal-shis have a lot of energy and need daily exercise.
8) Puggle
A Puggle is a relatively new type of dog that is becoming increasingly popular. Puggles are a cross between a Pug and a Beagle, and they typically have the best features of both breeds. They are small but sturdy, with a short snout and floppy ears.
Puggles are also very intelligent and good-natured, making them ideal pets for families with children. In addition, puggles are relatively low-maintenance dogs that do not require a lot of exercise or grooming.
As a result, they are perfect for busy families or individuals who do not have a lot of time to dedicate to their pets.
9) Yorkipoo
A Yorkipoo is a designer dog breed that is a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Toy or Mini Poodle. As such, they typically inherit the best traits of both parents, resulting in a small, intelligent, and affectionate dog that is well-suited to life as a family pet.
Yorkipoos are also relatively low-shedding and hypoallergenic, making them a good choice for people with allergies. Thanks to their outgoing personalities and trainability, Yorkipoos are also popular dogs for therapy work.
10) Pomsky
Pomsky is a new type of dog that is becoming increasingly popular. The Pomsky is a cross between a Pomeranian and a Husky, and they inherit the best qualities of both breeds. Pomskys are gentle and loving but also have a strong work ethic.
They are highly intelligent and easily trainable, making them great family pets. Additionally, the Pomsky is very active and loves to be outdoors. They make great hiking and camping companions.
11) Shorkie
The Shorkie is a hybrid dog, the result of breeding a Shih Tzu and a Yorkshire Terrier. These dogs are typically small, with fluffy coats and big eyes.
They are known for being intelligent and affectionate, making great companion animals. While they do need some exercise, Shorkies are relatively low-maintenance dogs and can do well in small homes or apartments.
12) Cavachon
The Cavachon is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise. These playful pups inherit the best of both breeds and are known for being gentle, affectionate, and good with children.
Cavachons typically weigh between 10 and 20 pounds and have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. They come in a variety of colors, including black, white, brown, and gold.
Cavachons are relatively low-maintenance dogs but require regular brushing and grooming to prevent matting. These loving dogs make great companions for families and individuals alike.
13) Chipoo
What is a chipoo? It’s a mix between a Chihuahua and a Poodle, two of the most popular dog breeds in the world. They’re small, compact, and low-maintenance – perfect for city living.
But don’t let their size fool you – chipoos are full of energy and love to play. They’re also highly intelligent, making them easy to train. And did we mention they’re absolutely adorable?
14) Dorkie
The Dorkie is a cross between a Dachshund and a Yorkie. As such, they tend to inherit the best traits of both breeds. Dorkies are small dogs with short legs and long bodies, making them well-suited for life in an apartment or condo.
They are also intelligent and playful and get along well with children and other pets. Because of their small size, they do not require a lot of exercise, but they do need plenty of mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
15) Havashu
Havashu is a hybrid dog, a cross between a Havanese and a Shih Tzu. These dogs are small, typically weighing between 10 and 15 pounds as adults. They have a coat of medium-length hair that can be either straight or curly and come in various colors, including white, black, brown, and silver.
Havashus are known for being friendly and outgoing, and they make great companion dogs. They are also relatively easy to train and are good with children.
Because of their small size, Havashus do not require a lot of exercise, but they do need regular grooming to keep their coat healthy and free of tangles.
16) Morkie
A Morkie is a hybrid dog bred from a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier. These dogs are small, with a silky coat of fur that can be either straight or slightly wavy. They typically weigh between four and seven pounds, and they come in a variety of colors, including black, brown, and white.
Morkies are intelligent and playful, making great companions for children and adults. While they do require some grooming, they are generally low-maintenance dogs.
17) Pug Zu
The Pug Zu is a unique hybrid dog created by crossbreeding a Pug with a Shih Tzu. These dogs are known for their small size and typically weigh between 10 and 15 pounds. They have short, compact bodies, and their coats are usually black or fawn-colored.
Pug Zus are typically very friendly and outgoing, and they make great companions for both children and adults. They are also generally get along well with other dogs and relatively easy to train.. In addition, because of their small size, Pug Zus are often suitable for apartment living.
18) Yochon
A Yochon is a type of small dog that is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. These dogs are a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Bichon Frise, and they typically weigh between four and seven pounds.
A Yochon is known for their affectionate nature and their propensity to form strong bonds with their owners. They are also relatively low-maintenance dogs, although they do require regular grooming to maintain their characteristic fluffy coat.
In recent years, the Yochon has become one of the most popular breeds of small dogs in the United States, and it is easy to see why.
19) Taco Terrier
The Taco Terrier is a small breed of dog developed in the United States. The breed is a cross between a Chihuahua and a Toy Fox Terrier, and it is characterized by its compact size and spunky personality.
Taco Terriers are intelligent and eager to please, making them excellent companion animals. They are also relatively easy to train and are known for being good watchdogs. However, their small size means they are not well suited for families with young children.
Taco Terriers require regular exercise and plenty of socialization, and they should not be left alone for extended periods of time.
20) Mauxie
Mauxies are a cross between a Maltese and a Dachshund. They usually have the Maltese’s silky white coat, but they can also come in other colors, like black and tan or black and silver.
Mauxies typically weigh between 10 and 15 pounds and stand about 12 inches tall at the shoulder. They’re known for being loving and loyal companions, and they make great family dogs. Mauxies are also relatively easy to train and generally good with other animals.
Conclusion
Designer dogs have become extremely popular in recent years—but what exactly are they? And why do people love them so much? In short, a designer dog is a mixed breed of two different breeds that have been bred specifically for their desirable characteristics.
While there are many advantages to owning one of these pups—such as their unique physical features and charming personalities—there are also some potential drawbacks that you should be aware of before making the commitment to add one of these furry friends to your family.
So, what’s the verdict? Are designer dogs right for you? Only you can answer that question—but we hope this article has helped you make an informed decision!
Related topic: High energy dogs: 13 breeds that are perfect for an active lifestyle
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