To think that a labracockapoodle is a mongrel

[voluptuagoodshag]

So why can't folk just say so. Or would that be to justify the extortionate amount they paid for it so they don't come across as mugs.

I don't understand- surely this situation only arises if you ask what sort of dog it is? I assume you don't have random people approach you and tell you they've got a labradoodle, without some sort of conversation taking place first? During which you've asked what dog it is?

The car analogy males no sense. You must describe your car by make and model? So if someone asks what car you have, you don't say VW Polo? You say 'oh it's a silver 2001 car with windows?' I don't get it...

Plus as I already said, I don't use the term labradoodle, if people ask what he is then I give them his parentage.

Referring to the cocapoo

Marketing scam it most certainly is, but would love a response to why it is seen as OK to have a trophy dog, or feel you should have to explain mongrel parentage etc

How is it a marketing swindle? You see a dog that you like the look of, investigate the type to see if it will suit your setup, and then pay the going rate if you can afford it. How is my paying 6-700 quid for my (gorgeous and healthy) cockapoo much different to the £500 my sister paid for her pedigree lab who's been in and out of the vet's for years with ongoing issues?

Yes true, years ago the big costs were reserved for the pedigrees- but why? What actually makes a pure bred Labrador financially worth so much more than a Labrador crossed with a poodle? It makes no sense. The only thing that sets them apart is the KC registration, and they are a useless, bunch of idiots with no regard for animal welfare anyway.

Yes Hopi it does arise from conversation but why not just say it's a mix up of breeds. In a generations time we'll have dogs called labralsationcockapoodlepughuas. The names get longer and longer.

Mongrel dogs are actually quite rare these days, crossbreds two a penny.

Mmmmcake- Not entirely sure what you're asking?

I have no idea why one dog is worth more than another. To every owner they are priceless pals and that's what counts. All comes down to branding I suppose.

Voluptua Why are you so invested in this? And how, practically, would it work if a 'breeder' (and I use the term loosely of course, but you know what I mean) wants to advertise a litter, but just writes "mix up of breeds." Why not use a recognised term that people will understand?

"In a generations time we'll have dogs called labralsationcockapoodlepughuas. The names get longer and longer."

We really won't. And they don't.

You are paying for the latest style over substance clam. It's up to you how you spend but it is a sad state of affairs in a country that purports to be dog loving. Breeders hmmmph

But WHY get a cross-breed (which can't be certain not to shed) when you could just get an actual non-shedding dog?

BTW, poodles don't have to look like twats, ours is given an all-over haircut which regularly has people ask "Is he a cockapoo?" Err, no, he just isn't clipped into daft pom-poms.

The cost of pedigree dogs, if you get them from a reliable breeder, reflects the cost of the health checks for both parents, the cost of getting a stud dog with a desirable temperament and the fact that most decent pedigree dog breeders are breeding from the point that they actually want to improve the breed. They don't make money from it, but they get a show worthy dog.

Not sure you can say the same about crossbreeds.

What "style" over what "substance?"

I suppose all dogs are cross breeds, having originally been bred from wild dogs. I'm not invested in it. Just not sleepy and in need of some discussion about anything - this topic popped into my head after going for a walk and overhearing the various types of dogs described by dog owners to each other

Not down to branding at all, it's down to breeds, and what suits your family. Labradoodle is half lab, half poodle- this fits with my family. A dog which was half Alsatian and half Alaskan malamute absolutely wouldn't. I imagine it would be pretty terrible if we referred to all crosses as mongrels and made no reference to their make up, surely you need to know what breeds a dog is made up of to know whether it is right for you?

I'm going way off on a tangent here but here's a thought ...

If a bitch is in heat then any capable dog is attracted to her, right?
So basically any dog will mate with another dog because they are all just dogs.

But you don't get a blackbird mating with a robin. Why? I'll never sleep until I know

There are reliable and unreliable breeders of pedigrees and cross-breeds all over the place. If you're keen on finding a reputable one, then you can do so, whichever type of dog you're interested in.

My dog's parentage was tip-top - met them both and saw all the original certificates for lineage and health checks. Don't expect a medal for that - just thought that's what you did. But I bet the vast majority of dog owners, pedigree and otherwise, didn't go down that route.

I considered a dog that's part Dingo yesterday. It was beautiful but we're not in a position to get a dog yet. Dingo cross Corgi. Massive ears.

I'm no expert but surely you can get an awkward character of a dog in a "breed" that is supposed to be well natured.

Biology, basically

All dogs are the same species - Canis familiaris but birds aren't.

A robin is Erithacus rubecula while a blackbird is Turdus merula - they're not even in the same genus.

I agree with you, OP.

But also think most people should only get rescue dogs, so my dog opinions are not popular on here.

You would end up with a blackbin .

Ha, pedigree breeders not in it for the money?! If that was true then they would charge a fraction of what they charge for their puppies. Everyone is in it for the money. Improving the breeds is why there are so many problems with certain pedigrees in the first place! Just look at a German shepherd from 50 years ago compared to now, it's outrageous what the KC are doing to these poor dogs. Pugs, shar pei's, king Charles spaniels, bulldogs, German shepherds, basset hounds, the list goes on...

It is actually down to the integrity of the breeder, not necessarily what they are breeding. My breeder had all of the health checks done on both parents, we were shown them, took a copy to our vets so they could break down the results for us. We were home checked, had to meet the puppy 3 times before we got him, were interviewed by the breeder, had to promise that we'd take him back if there were any probs etc- So you can get good mongrel/crossbreed breeders. You just have to do your homework.