These dog breeds are beginning to make a substantial name for themselves in the canine world. Developed for a variety of different reasons, these hybrids and mixed breeds were designed each with a specific purpose, either to rule out a negative quality or an undesirable physical trait, in the hopes of making a more stable pet. Find out more details about these curious canines below.
Labradoodle: These dogs are a mix of Labrador Retrievers and Poodles, which basically began the whole designer breed fad. They are very popular pets that first appeared in the 1980’s in Australia, when a disabled man needed a guide dog but was allergic to pet dander. So by mixing Poodles and Labs, they were able to create an almost completely hypoallergenic dog that was also intelligent and responsive enough to be a reliable guide dog. These pups have coats that come in nearly every solid color, with textures of fleece (wavy), wool (curly), or straight. They need plenty of exercise and activity, but make fantastic family pets for children of all sizes.
Cavachon: This floppy-haired wooly breed is a mix between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise. In 1996 a pet owner accidently bred a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise which gave inspiration to the breed. The small dogs (weighing 20-30 lbs) are very rare; only 51 Cavachon litters were registered in 2008. They have mild shedding, low allergens in their coats, and are charming dogs that are eager to please. They come in cream, apricot, white, and have brown and black patches.
Chiweenie: Half Chihuahua and the Dachshund, (also called “Choxie”), these dogs are burrowers, and expressive pets that thrive living indoors. The mix occurred in the late 1990’s to help solve some of the back problems that Dachshunds are known for. These pups are energetic and eager runners who love being with their owners. They have short coats that can be brown black or white. Though this breed may be yappy, they are easy to train from an early age.
Chorkie: The Chihuahua and Yorkshire Terrier, these dogs could have both short or long coats, and can be as small as 1-2 pounds. They have large ears that can either stand up on edge or flop over. They are not great with small kids, because Chorkies can be snappy and loud. However they do have a lot of tenacity, energy, and are very alert pups with expressive eyes. They are popular apartment dogs, though they can be barkers, making them loyal watch dogs for their owners.
Puggle: This breed is a Beagle and Pug mix, and is one of the top 3 popular designer dogs. They have floppy ears and could be black, tan, or reddish, etc. Beginning in the 1980’s the toy Pug breed was mixed with that active Beagle dog, creative a robust pup with lots of energy. They love tracking, sniffing everything and going on adventures. Puggles are small lap dogs, weighing about 7-30 pounds depending on the size, and they both bark and howl. They have short dense coats and tend to be lower maintenance than other pets. Puggles usually have black puzzles with short noses, and curly tails similar to the Pug.
Goldendoodle: Goldendoodles are a mix between the Golden Retriever and the Poodle, who first showed up in the 1990’s. These dogs are easy to train, and are vastly intelligent, steady-tempered dog. They are fluffy, happy pups and are some of the cutest pups on the designer dog market. They are energetic family dogs, and they have less dander than other breeds, which is great for families with children who have breathing sensitivities. They live up to about 15 years.