Designer breeds, like a Goldendoodle, Pomsky, Puggle, or Labradoodle, have exploded in popularity in recent years. A dog is a designer breed if its purebred parents were intentionally crossbred to make a litter with characteristics of both breeds. They differ from mutts, who are unintentionally bred. Some of these designer breeds are becoming so popular that they may become their own breed in a few decades.
Benefits of Designer Breeds
The outcome of a designer litter is never known for sure, but there are a few benefits that you’ll often see. Designer breeds could be at lower risk of developing health complications associated with one of their purebred parents, such as Pug Dog Encephalitis. They can also have a longer life expectancy. Some other desirable traits, like the hypoallergenic nature of Poodles, can be inherited by a designer litter.
What is a Designer Breed Generation?
A designer breed generation refers to how far down the family tree a litter is from its purebred ancestry. A first generation (F1) mix is between two purebred parents who are registered with their pedigree and free from genetic disease. Designer breeds can be backcrossed with another purebred dog, creating an F1b generation. A second generation (F2) is between two F1 parents. There are a few other classifications of breed generations, but this gives you a general idea of the concept.
Why Specifying Breed Generation is Important
Specifying the breed generation is very important to ensure the benefits of designer breeds. A second generation Poodle mix, for example, will lose its hypoallergenic coat. The further away from the purebred ancestors they are, the more likely a designer breed is to develop its own unique health problems. They, in fact, could be at a higher risk if the breeders are not careful enough to avoid inbreeding - a problem that’s all too common for a more niche designer breed.
When a litter is first generation, you also know the pedigree and healthiness of its parents because of their membership to kennel clubs. Designer breeds aren’t subject to the strict rules of kennel clubs, so later generations come with more uncertainty.