Designer dog breeds are a recent trend in the world of dog ownership. They are bred by crossing two purebred dogs of different breeds, resulting in a “designer” dog that is said to have the best characteristics of both parents.
Many people choose designer dog breeds because they believe that they will be healthier and better behaved than traditional purebred dogs. While this may be true in some cases, it is important to do your research before choosing a designer dog breed.
Some of the most popular designer dog breeds include Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, and Cockapoos.
List of Designer Dog Breeds
Cockapoo
The Cockapoo is the result of crossing a Cocker Spaniel with a Toy Poodle or a Miniature Poodle. The Cockapoo is one of the most popular hybrid dogs out there, with owners loving the combination of the Cocker Spaniels personality and energy with the non-shedding coat of the Poodle.
This small to medium sized dog is very active, who loves to be outside. The Cockapoo has two very popular parents — the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle — so it is no surprise that the Cockapoo hybrid is also popular. These dogs can be used as working dogs such as guide dogs, although they were originally intended to be companions, especially for those with allergies who needed a dog with a low-shedding coat.
Although there is a breed standard for the Cockapoo, you still cannot be sure what traits you are going to get in a litter of Cockapoo puppies. These dogs can come in a range of colors and patterns and it all depends on which parent they take after more.
Labradoodle
A Labrador Retriever Poodle mix is an adorable, medium-sized, mixed-breed dog. It’s a crossbreed from two of the best-loved purebred dog breeds in the world; the purebred Labrador Retriever and the purebred Poodle.
A Labrador Retriever Poodle mix blends the best of both of the parent breeds; enthusiasm, intelligence, and a love of all things fun. It’s lovable, good-tempered, and your best friend, a family pet or companion for any type or experience of a dog owner. The Labradoodle puppy is happy and energetic.
Designer dogs, or ‘Boutique dogs’, come in a variety of colors and coat types, depending on the inherited parent breeds’ genes and from which one they obtain the biggest majority. The poodle mix breeds have become very popular in recent years due to their low shedding coats.
Pomsky
The Pomeranian Husky is a designer dog breed, and a fairly new one at that. A cross between a Pomeranian and a Siberian Husky, this lovable, fluffy haired pooch combines all of the wild, wolf-like beauty of the husky with the miniature cute-factor of the Pomeranian.
The dog’s size, coat color and other features are dependent on the genetics of its two parents. Because of this, you can easily get a Pomsky that looks more like a Husky and one that looks more like a Pomeranian in the same litter. It’s also nearly impossible to predict what a Pomsky puppy might look like at maturity. There has been a growing trend in Husky mix breeds in the last few years.
Chug
The adorable Chug dog breed, also sometimes known as the Pughuahua, is the cross between a Pug and a Chihuahua. Small and compact but with a big personality, this dog is the perfect pet for those who live in smaller homes or those who simply do not have the space for a larger pup. That being said, with their fun-loving and friendly nature means they can also make an excellent family pet, and really will adapt to any environment!
With two extremely popular parents, it is no wonder the Chug breed is gaining popularity. The Chug dog was originally bred by combining the sassy nature of the Chihuahua with the goofy nature of the Pug to create an affectionate, friendly and compact dog. As they are a hybrid Chihuahua mix breed dog, the Chug is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and therefore does not have a breed standard.
Goldador
The Golden Retriever Lab Mix, the Goldador, is a mix of two of the best-loved and most popular dog breeds in the world; the purebred Labrador Retriever is No 1, and the purebred Golden Retriever ranks the No 3 most popular dog in the world.
The Goldador dog is a playful and good-natured, large dog. It’s gentle and loyal making it a perfect family dog and companion for any dog owner. When you cross a purebred Labrador Retriever with a purebred Golden Retriever, even though both parents are recognized purebred dog breeds, the result – the Goldador – is a hybrid dog; recently known as a designer dog.
Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. A cross breed of two of the most popular dogs in the United States, it’s no wonder the Goldendoodle is one of the most sought-after mixes, right next to their cousins the Labradoodle and the Maltipoo.
While their crossbreed origin means that it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact characteristics of a Goldendoodle, this teddy bear pup is known for being an excellent family dog as well as being incredibly smart. The Goldendoodle turned 50 years old in 2019 and was first recorded in 1969. This breed was bred by Monica Dinkins who wanted to create a dog with a Poodle’s non-shedding coat that could be used as a guide dog or assistance dog for people with allergies.
Chipoo
A Chihuahua Poodle mix is an adorable and courageous small dog. It’s a mixed-breed dog from two popular purebred dog breeds; the purebred Chihuahua and the purebred Poodle.
A Chihuahua Poodle mix blends the best of both of the parent breeds; cuteness, intelligence, loyalty, and playfulness. Chipoos suit any type of home living, from apartments to houses, as long as their active exercise needs can be met.
This small dog will bond strongly with its master and make a great family member or companion for any kind of dog owner. The Chipoo puppy is one of the cutest little companion dogs.
Maltipoo
The Maltese Poodle Mix was originally bred to a hypoallergenic dog. This means they do not shed and are perfect for those with allergies. They were also bred to be an intelligent and playful dog, receiving popular characteristics from both parent breeds.
Not much is known about the origin of the Maltese Poodle Mix, but there are some facts we know. The Maltipoo was first bred in the United States around 20 to 30 years ago and is, therefore, a relatively new breed. As we mentioned above, the aim when breeding this dog was to create a playful and intelligent dog that didn’t shed very much.
Pomchi
Lovers of small dogs everywhere will adore the Pomchi, a Pomeranian Chihuahua mix dog breed. This fairly new mixed breed offers all the personality and sass of a large breed along with the cute and cuddly features of a toy dog. If travel-size is your thing, you’re going to love this pooch.
Bred almost entirely with companionship in mind, dogs of this energetic, affectionate toy breed make fantastic best friends and great lap dogs. The pomchi is a great example of the growing trend in pomeranian mix breeds.
Aussiedoodle
The Aussiedoodle, sometimes known as the Aussiepoo, is a relatively new hybrid breed and is the result of crossing an Australian Shepherd with a Poodle. Lesser known than other Poodle mixes such as the Goldendoodle and the Labradoodle, the Aussiedoodle makes an excellent family dog that is very affectionate and gets on with everyone — humans and animals alike.
The Aussiedoodle has two popular parents — the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle. Because the Poodle can come in three sizes (Standard, Miniature and Toy), the Aussiedoodle can too. It just depends which size of Poodle is used to breed the Aussiedoodle. There is the Aussiedoodle, the Miniature Aussiedoodle and the Toy Aussiedoodle.
Puggle
The Puggle is the result of a female Beagle and and a male Pug mating. The mother must always be a Beagle and the father a Pug because there are known complications that arise when a larger male mates with a smaller female dog.
The Puggle was first bred by Wallace Havens from Wisconsin in the 1990s. By cross-breeding dogs, you can cherry pick the most beneficial characteristics from each breed and remove faults and less desirable traits in pure breeds. Havens especially wanted to remove the complications that can arise with a Pug’s snout, but wanted to keep their loving nature. This way, he managed to create a fun-loving dog with a Beagle’s snout and intelligence.
Whoodle
Poodles are popular mixes that dog owners love. Not only are these dogs as smart and loyal as Poodles, but they also inherit traits from the other mix. One of the Poodle mixes that you can now own is a Whoodle, which is a mix of a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier and a Poodle. They can be as large as a fully grown Poodle or much smaller based on which side they take after more. As a designer dog breed, they are popular with owners who think they look like large teddy bears.
Whoodles typically have a coat that is both curly and soft, which it gets from its Poodle parent. It has a smaller size thanks to the other parent and is sometimes called a Poodle Wheaten Terrier mix. These mixes do just as well with families and small kids as they do with couples who don’t have kids and singles. If you want a dog you will love coming home to and one that loves you back, the Whoodle is a good choice. They are almost always cheerful and friendly and can greet you at the door after a long day with a dance and a smile.
Morkie
The Morkie is a small breed dog that is a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Maltese. These dogs are intelligent and loyal, and are best suited to an individual or a couple living in a small home or apartment. Although they are playful and friendly they need a lot of attention and can become emotionally dependant on their owner. They don’t require a lot of exercise but they get along with other small dogs and are adaptable to a number of different situations. A Morkie can also be known to be full-confidence, despite their tiny hand-bag size.
Bordoodle
The Bordoodle, also known as the Borpoo or Borderpoo, is a mixed breed dog that is a cross between a Border Collie and a Poodle. These dogs inherit the best traits from both parent breeds, resulting in a friendly, playful, intelligent and protective family dog that makes a wonderful companion to many.
The Bordoodle is a low maintenance pup that fits well into most homes and doesn’t have very high care needs. While they do require proper training and socialization to ensure they do not develop any stubborn traits, these dogs are an adaptable breed with lots of love to give.
Frenchton
The Frenchton is the result of crossing a French Bulldog (Frenchie) and a Boston Terrier. This designer cross is an adorable small breed that makes for the perfect family pet. These pups are loyal and loving, wanting to give you cuddles and affection. They’re also energetic with a personality that’ll keep you on your toes!
Due to their small size, these dogs are great for those who live in cities or small apartments and can be great for busy households as well as individual homes with the elderly.
This designer dog is actually a little difficult to breed, mainly because of the Frenchie parents small hips. French Bulldogs are often artificially inseminated and natural birthing is difficult, with a lot of puppies being born via cesarean section.
Shorkie
The Shorkie isn’t a purebred dog, but a designer cross breed resulting from breeding a Shih Tzu with a Yorkshire Terrier. They are an extremely small dog, with an average height of 5 to 9”, but have a big personality and are known for being feisty and stubborn. They are a great little companion for you and thrive in being a lapdog. Shorkies are best suited to adult only homes because of their tiny size.
Corgipoo
The Corgi Poodle Mix is a friendly and intelligent, curly-haired, small mixed-breed dog with a high energy level. This small hybrid dog can be stubborn and doesn’t like rules too much but it is affectionate and protective of its loved ones.
A Corgi Poodle Mix is good around children and other animals which makes it an ideal family pet and suitable for any experience of dog owner.
The Corgipoo crossbreed is a playful and loving small dog breed. It is curious and sensitive in unfamiliar situations, and wary of strangers. This makes it suitable as a family pet and for anyone who wants a loving but noisy mini watchdog.
Corgipoo designer dogs come in a variety of coat colors and types, depending on the parent mix.
Bichpoo
The Bichon Poodle, otherwise known as the Bichpoo or Poochon, is the result of crossing a Bichon Frise with a Poodle. This teddy-bear dog is a small pup and is classed as a toy breed. They are intelligent, friendly and affectionate, making a wonderful addition to any household and making the perfect family pet.
By combining the traits of the Bichon Frise with the traits of the Poodle, breeders were able to create a wonderful, loving, playful and friendly dog that still had the intelligence of the Poodle parent. The aim when breeding was to keep the desirable characteristics but to get rid of any health concerns that the parent breeds may face.
Cavapoo
The Cavapoo, often known as the Cavoodle or Cavadoodle, is the result of breeding a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a Miniature or Toy Poodle. They were bred to be a companion dog and perfect for those with allergies because of their low shedding coat. This crossbreed is known for being friendly and sociable, making them excellent family pets.
The popularity of the Cavapoo has soared recently and this is all down to their sweet nature. Gentle and cute, this the perfect dog to have in the home with children. They will happily curl up next to you on the couch, but they will also happily spend time running and playing! They’re also very intelligent, making them highly trainable.
Mini-Labradoodle
The Miniature Labradoodle is created by crossbreeding a Miniature Poodle with a Labrador. Still intelligent, affectionate and great family dogs, you get all the same qualities of the loving Labradoodle in a much smaller form!
Under 45 lbs in weight, these real-life teddy bear dogs are an excellent addition to any home, especially if you don’t have the space for a Standard Labradoodle.
The Mini Labradoodle is the cute and compact version of one of America’s most popular hybrid dog’s.
The Labradoodle is known for being an excellent service dog, often being used as a therapy dog or service dog due to their sweet and affectionate nature. The Mini Labradoodle, also known as the Toy Labradoodle, was originally bred to be the companion counterpart to the Standard Labradoodle — a smaller version that people could live happily alongside. They were also bred because of their hypoallergenic coat that they could inherit from their Poodle parent, although this is also one of the reasons the Standard Labradoodle was bred! We will go into more detail about their hypoallergenic coat later on.
There are different generations of these designer dogs. A F1 hybrid is a Miniature Poodle crossed with a Labrador. A F1B is a Mini Labradoodle crossed with either a Mini Poodle or a Labrador. A F2 cross is breeding one Mini Labradoodle with another. A F2 Mini Labradoodle is likely to be far more expensive that a F1 or F1B because their temperament and characteristics are more easily predicted.
Pitsky
The Pitsky is a cross between an American Pitbull Terrier and either a Siberian Husky or, less commonly, an Alaskan Husky. Because this is a mixed breed, the results can vary greatly and therefore it can be difficult to pinpoint the traits and characteristics of the Pitsky. These dogs can come in a range of sizes and can take after either of their parent breeds. Pitbull dogs have an unfair reputation as aggressive dogs.
The Pitsky is known to be a playful and affectionate dog that enjoys spending time exercising and being outside. They can be stubborn which can make them difficult to train, but with the right family they can also make a perfect pet.
Maltese Shih-Tzu
The Maltese Shih Tzu crossbreed is an adorable breed of Toy sized dog that makes a relaxing and cuddly companion. Also known as a Malshi, this tiny little dog is created by breeding a Maltese dog with a Shih Tzu dog to give a fluffy and loving pup that will adapt to many different situations.
Because of their celebrity status, the Maltese Shih Tzu mixed breed is known as a designer breed and stands at less than 12” tall.
Summary
If you are thinking about getting a designer dog, be sure to consider the following:
- The cost of feeding and caring for a designer dog can be expensive.
- Some designer dog breeds may be prone to health problems.
- Designer dogs require a lot of exercise and training.
- Not all animal shelters and breeders offer designer dog breeds.
If you decide that a designer dog is right for you, be sure to research different breeders and shelters until you find one that meets your needs.