1693 Designer Dogs

Ann Viera, the veterinary medicine librarian at University of Tennessee has designed a very nice pet page to answer your animal health care questions at Pet Health. Ann and I used to hang out together at conferences, so I was browsing this nice site and came across an article on designer dogs. I’d heard of cockapoos and yorkipoos, but never Labradoodles. They are sort of cute--maybe cuter than either breed, pure bred. Supposedly the mix combines the intelligence, aloof nature, the delicate frame, and the low-allergy, and non-shedding traits of the poodle with the boisterous exuberance, lovability, and loyalty of a lab. Sometimes hybrids can create health disasters, but this one seems to be working. It takes a long time for a hybrid to become a standard breed, and the Labradoodle isn’t there yet, and is also very pricey--$2,500, if you can find a breeder. And remember, don't buy a dog at a pet store. Put those back yard breeders out of business.