Dog hybrid

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A pointer - greyhound cross.
A pointer - greyhound cross.
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A dog hybrid is the offspring of parents of two different purebred dog breeds, more commonly called a crossbreed or crossbred in animal breeding. Crossbreeding (parents of two different purebred breeds) results in offspring that tend to be stronger and healthier than either parent, an effect called hybrid vigour. Many dog crossbreds (hybrids) have been given fanciful or portmanteau names, as in Labradoodle (purebred Labrador Retriever crossed with purebred Poodle.) Further generations of crossbreds bred to crossbreds lose the advantage of hybrid vigour, although they may still be called by the hybrid name, and may eventually be recognized as a separate purebred dog breed.

A dog of unknown or complex heritage is called a mixed breed dog; not the same as a crossbred (hybrid) dog, which has known parents of two different purebred breeds.

Contents

[edit] Definition of hybrid

A wolf-dog hybrid.
A wolf-dog hybrid.

In biology, the word hybrid has two meanings. The first meaning is the result of interbreeding between two animals (or plants) of different species, such as a mule (Equus caballus + Equus asinus) or in a cross between a lion and a tiger. Hybrids in this more common usage are often (although not always) sterile.[1]

Breeding within the same species, but from two distinct populations, is a secondary meaning of hybrid. This second meaning is most often used in plant breeding.[2]

While they may look very different, domestic dog breeds are all the same species, Canis lupus, and crossbreds are never sterile. Dog crossbreeds are called hybrids (in the secondary usage) so as to avoid confusion with the term mixed breed dog, since often people who are not knowledgeable about dogs will confuse the terms crossbreed and mixed breed. The term hybrid also is used to refer to the descendants of crossbred progeny[3], although technically that is not correct, and the advantage of hybrid vigour is lost.

Dogs and wolves were once thought to be separate species, so a wolf-dog cross was called a canid hybrid (of the first type) and never a crossbreed. It is recognized today that wolves and dogs are of the same species, Canis lupus, but the offspring of a wolf-dog cross is still called a wolf-dog hybrid. These crossbreds and their descendents are also called wolfdogs, which is now the preferred term.[4]

Because some traits are dominant, breeds tend to pass on some physical characteristics to crosses more than others. Border Collies and some Spaniels, for example, often produce offspring with similar coats and ears. The crossbreed offspring of German Shepherds often have Shepherd faces and other characteristics. Crossbred dogs may vary in which characteristics of their purebred parents that they inherit, even in the same litter of puppies.

[edit] Designer dogs

A Lakeland Terrier and a Patterdale Terrier crossbreed.
A Lakeland Terrier and a Patterdale Terrier crossbreed.

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

While the trend to produce hybrid or designer dogs is considered new it is, in fact, a continuation of the centuries-old practice of selective breeding. Basically every breed of dog is a "mutt" in the sense that every type of dog was created by interbreeding different types of dogs to produce a breed with a certain set of desirable characteristics. All dog breeds were bred for a particular purpose, usually some form of hunting, herding, or guarding. These tasks have been largely replaced by the need to produce healthy dogs with good temperaments as domestic companions or pets. Breeding two different breeds often allows the best traits of both parents to pass through.

This has resulted in a surge of popularity for certain crosses in which a desirable mix of traits occurs. The Labradoodle, for example, was first bred as an attempt to develop guide dog for visually impaired people with allergies. Unfortunately, the popularity of hybrids such as "Labradoodles" has resulted in rampant, and often unscrupulous, breeding. The resulting pups do not reliably demonstrate the desirable characteristics, such as a hypo-allergenic coat, that the original breeders were attempting to standardize.

[edit] Registration and recognition of hybrids

Dog hybrids are not recognized by the main breed registries, as they only register purebred dogs. New breeds of dogs must have a breed club that will document the ancestry of any individual member of that breed from the original founding dogs of the breed; when the kennel club that the breed club wishes to join is satisfied that the dogs are purebred, they will accept and register the dogs of that breed. Each kennel club has individual rules about how to document a new breed. Hybrid dogs, created by breeding two purebred dogs of different breeds (crossbred), have the advantage of heterosis, or hybrid vigor, and are often stronger and healthier than either of the parents. This advantage is lost when two hybrids are bred in the attempt to create a breed. The best way to continue taking advantage of hybrid vigor is from the breeding of two different purebred breeds.

The main reason that most people want to have a registered dog is so that they can participate in dog sports. Many show-giving organizations do not require dogs to be purebred in order to register for participation in dog sports. The exception is the sport of conformation showing, which requires the dogs to be highly standardized, and so requires the dogs to be registered as purebred.

The American Canine Hybrid Club recognizes dog hybrids. There are also many specific hybrid breed fancy associations.

[edit] Portmanteau names

Main article: List of dog hybrids
A 3 year old Labradoodle.
A 3 year old Labradoodle.

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 cross-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 and a Poodle, for example, may be advertised as either a "Maltipoo" or a "Moodle".

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

[edit] References

  1. ^ Why Are Hybrids Sterile ? - Because of gene evolution
  2. ^ The Science of Hybrids (History)
  3. ^ the Queensland Wild Dog Management Strategy, September 2002
  4. ^ What is a Wolfdog?

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Information & Pictures of Hybrid and Mixed-Breed Dogs

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