The Terms used for Crossbreeds
The following provides some clarification about some common terms used in advertising, etc on the types of crossbreeds available.
Terms which describe Crossbred puppies
It is important to understand that the following two terms described here both identify a crossbred puppy. This means that this puppy is not "registered" does not and cannot have "papers" and cannot be shown. See the information on the "Registered Breeds of Australia" page for more information.
1. Designer Breeds - this term has become common and is used to describe a crossbred dog which has been bred from two or more breeds. ie: A popular combination is a "Labradoodle" which is a Labrador bred with a Poodle. This combination breeding was undertaken initially due to the need for an allergen free dog for a vision impaired client and was undertaken under specific circumstances by the Guide Dogs Association of Australia.
There are a number of variations in these designer breed names today and in recent years there has been an explosion of combinations of the crossbred market through the use of these "designer breed" names. Names such as spoodle; or cavoodle; or smoodle. The list grows regularly. These names are the combination of the breeds used together to make a crossbred puppy from those two breeds.
There is much confusion about the perception that the crossbred or designer bred dog is healthier than the pedigree purebred dog. Unfortunately this is not the case, just ask any vet and find out the number of crossbred and designer dogs presenting for significant health conditions. If one breed has a genetic health condition and the other breed has one too, then the chances of the puppies getting them is dramatically increased.
ie: A poodle can develop hip dysplasia and a Labrador can also develop hip dysplasia. With both breeds being predisposed to hip dysplasia, breeding the two breeds together will not minimise the risk of the puppy developing hip dysplasia and in fact may increase the risk, depending on the genetic make up of each of the dogs.
2. Mongrel, Mixed breed or Heinz Variety have been common names used for the crossbred puppies for many, many years where the dogs were incidently bred and often given away by their owners when their bitch had a litter from the dog down the street.