Dog hybrids and crossbreeds

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A healthy 15-year-old Pug/Boston Terrier hybrid.

A dog hybrid is a cross between two different breeds (selectively bred varieties). Hybrids are also known as crossbreeds or crossbreds, although the term crossbreed is also used to refer to a mixed-breed dog where the breed of only one parent or grandparent is known. A dog of unknown parentage is called a mongrel.

In biology, the word hybrid has two meanings. The first meaning is the result of interbreeding between two animals or plants of different taxa. Hybrids between different species within the same genus are sometimes known as interspecific hybrids or crosses. Hybrids between different sub-species within a species are known as intra-specific hybrids. The cross-breeding of dogs is closest to the latter.

The second meaning of "hybrid" is crosses between populations, breeds or cultivars of a single species. This second meaning is often used in plant and animal breeding.

In less technical conversation (and particularly in the dog world) the word hybrid refers to selective breed crosses and their progeny, even if outcrossed to other breeds. For example, the Queensland Wild Dog Management Strategy, September 2002, states that hybrid will also refer to the descendants of crossbred progeny.

Some dog hybrids are now being selectively bred. The term designer dogs is often used to refer to these crosses. The practice causes much controversy; opponents cite the often exorbitant prices charged for what is essentially a mutt.

Proponents point out that there are bona fide reasons for the breeding of some of these crosses (the Labradoodle, for example, was first bred as a guide dog for visually impaired people with allergies), and also that the available research shows that crossbreds on average live longer and healthier lives (see mixed breed dogs and heterosis/hybrid vigor).

Among the better known dog hybrids are Labradoodles and Australian Bulldogs, which each have their own breed fancy associations. Poodle crosses are popular.

Dog hybrids are not recognized by the main registries. They should not be confused with independent breeds, which are also not recognized. The difference lies in the longevity of the breed, the numbers of breeders and the existence of a legitimate breed club, the number of specimens of the breed past a certain number of generations, whether or not it breeds true to type, for how long a breed registry has been maintained, and the reason for the non-recognition. Often independent breed clubs oppose recognition, for reasons which usually concern maintaining independent control of the qualities of their chosen breed.

Whilst the trend to produce hybrid or designer dogs is considered new it is, in fact, a continuation of the centries old practice of selective breeding. All dog breeds were created for a particular purpose, usually some form of hunting, hearding or guarding. These tasks have been largely replaced by the need to produce healthly dogs with good temprements as domestic companions or pets.

1 Portmanteau names
2 Inter-Species Hybrids
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Portmanteau names

Pugalier in Bunbury, Western Australia

With the long-time popularity of the "breed" name cockapoo, used since at least 1970 and constructed by combining elements of its two contributing breeds (Cocker Spaniel/Poodle), it has become extremely common to find mixed-breed dogs named with breed names likewise invented by portmanteau. The tendency for using such names in a jocular way dates back at least to Queen Elizabeth's Dorgis (Dachshund/Corgi). However, extremely few of these become mainstream "breeds" over long periods with determined breeders, and, as of 2006, Cockapoo and Labradoodle are still the only such combined names to make it into the dictionary. Nonetheless, names such as these commonly appear in for-sale ads and often lack consistency; a cross between a Maltese Terrier and a Poodle, for example, may be advertized as either a "Maltipoo" or a "Moodle".

Among these: