Poodle hybrid

For more details on this topic, see List of dog hybrids.

Poodle hybrid describes a cross between a purebred poodle and a dog of another purebred dog breed. They may be described as a crossbred, mixed breed dog or designer dog. In biological terms, poodle hybrids are an intraspecies hybrid, rather than a hybrid between two different species, since all dog breeds belong to the species Canis lupus familiaris.

While some of the crosses may be accidental, many crosses (such as cockapoos) are intentional and done by design. Hypoallergenic qualities of the poodle are one reason for crosses. Another reason is to create a dog with greater genetic variety, and although this is not a guarantee of better health, the scientific studies that have been done in this area have shown that crossbreds are both healthier and live longer than purebred dogs.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

Contents

Portmanteau names

Many terms for puppies of specific crosses with poodles have been invented, combining syllables or sounds from each breed name to create a portmanteau word. Usually the first syllable of poo-dle is appended to the breed name of the second breed in the cross. Other names are created by adding the sound "oodle" (from poodle) to the other breed name. Many crosses can be described by more than one portmanteau word; since they are not breeds, any portmanteau word the owner or breeder wishes may be used. Some of the portmanteau word names that describe poodle crosses have moved into popular usage; the words Labradoodle (poodle-Labrador retriever cross) and cockapoo (poodle-cocker spaniel cross) are now listed in the Oxford English Dictionary.[8]

Registration

Legitimate breed associations such as the AKC, the UKC, and the CKC, do not recognize poodle hybrids, or any other designer cross, as a breed. However, some major kennel clubs do accept registration of crossbreed and mixed-breed dogs for performance events such as agility and obedience.

See also

References

  1. ^ B.N. Bonnett, A. Egenvall, P. Olson, . Hedhammar, Mortality in Swedish dogs: rates and causes of death in various breeds, The Veterinary Record, 12/7/1997, S. 40 - 44) "Mongrels were consistently in the low risk category" (S. 41)
  2. ^ P.D. McGreevy & W.F. Nicholas, Some Practical Solutions to Welfare Problems in Pedigree Dog Breeding, Animal Welfare, 1999, Vol 8, 329-331 "Hybrids have a far lower chance of exhibiting the disorders that are common with the parental breeds. Their genetic health will be substantially higher." (P338)
  3. ^ A. Egenvall, B.N. Bonnett, P. Olson, . Hedhammar,Gender, age, breed and distribution of morbidity and mortality in insured dogs in Sweden during 1995 and 1996, The Veterinary Record, 29/4/2000, p. 519-57 "Mongrel dogs are less prone to many diseases then the average purebred dog." (S. 524)
  4. ^ R. Beythien, Tierarten- und Hunderassenverteilung, Erkrankungshufigkeit und prophylaktische Manahmen bei den hufigsten Hunderassen am Beispiel einer Tierarztpraxis in Bielefeld in den Jahren 1983-1985 und 1990-1992, 1998, Diss., Tierrztl. Hochschule Hannover "Mongrels require less veterinary treatment"
  5. ^ A. R. Michell, Longevity of British breeds of dog and its relationship with sex, size, cardiovascular variables and disease, Vet. Rec., 27 Nov. 1999, S. 625-629 "There was a significant correlation between body weight and longevity. Crossbreeds lived longer than average but several pure breeds lived longer than cross breeds, notably Jack Russell, miniature poodles and whippets" (S. 627 - thus only small and toy breeds, as to be expected)
  6. ^ G.J. Patronek, D.J. Walters, L.T. Glickman, Comparative Longevity of Pet Dogs and Humans: Implications for Gerontology Research, J. Geront., BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, 1997, Vol 52A,No.3, B171-B178 "The median age at death was 8.5 years for all mixed breed dogs and 6.7 years for all pure breed dogs. For each weight group, the age at death of pure breed dogs was significantly less than for mixed breed dogs." (p. B173)
  7. ^ H.F. Proschofsky et al, Mortality of purebred and mixed breed dogs in Denmark, Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2003, 58, 53-74 "Higher average longevity of mixed breed dogs (grouped together). Age at death mixed breeds (Q1 Q2 Q3 mixed breeds 8,11,13, purebreds 6, 10, 12)"
  8. ^ http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200508/s1434937

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