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What Are Designer Dog Breeds?

designer dog breed designer dogs hybrid breeds hypoallergenic breeds

Designer dog breeds, also referred to as “hybrid” dogs, are the result of the controlled cross-breeding of two purebred breeds. Not all dogs are “purebred.” According to the American Kennel Club, there are roughly 400 purebred dog breeds. But there are literally thousands of cross-breeds, hybrids, and mixed mutt combinations. The number of true “designer […]

Designer dog breeds, also referred to as “hybrid” dogs, are the result of the controlled cross-breeding of two purebred breeds. Not all dogs are “purebred.” According to the American Kennel Club, there are roughly 400 purebred dog breeds. But there are literally thousands of cross-breeds, hybrids, and mixed mutt combinations.

The number of true “designer dog breeds” is growing at the moment. But the current list isn’t too long. At the bottom of this article, you’ll find an alphabetical list of all the designer dog breeds that exist today, all of which we carry at Petland Texas. 

A yellow Labrador Retriever sits next to a Miniature Poodle on a pink backdrop to show that these two purebred dogs are often cross bred to create the designer dog breed, the Labradoodle.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CROSS-BREEDING

Cross-breeding is nothing new. In fact, 100% of the “purebred” dogs we have today are the result of crossbreeding. Their parent breeds eventually went extinct. You could say that cross-breeding purebreds is a normal part of life. As dog owners and breeders discover more desirable traits in certain breeds, the breeders will then select dogs that carry those traits, breed those dogs, and thus “bring out” a distinct look and nature of the breed. 

The most beloved purebreds we have today were originally hybrid dogs. The Golden Retriever was originally a cross between the now-extinct Flat-coated Retriever with Tweed Water Spaniel. The German Shepherd dog breed was developed in 1899 by Max von Stephanitz when he crossbred various traditional German herding dogs. Also today’s Pug is the result of selectively breeding Mastiffs, which is almost unbelievable. Breeders continued to breed the smallest Mastiffs and then crossbred those with Bulldogs. 

There are countless examples of how today’s purebreds are the result of other breeds mixing together. 

Celebrity Paris Hilton, holds her designer dog in her arm as she talks on her cell phone outside, showing that celebrities were responsible for coining the phrase "designer dogs."

THE ORIGINS OF THE TERM “DESIGNER DOG”

The industry term for mixed breeds that have two purebred parents is technically “hybrid.” So, where did this catchy term, designer dog breed, come from? It’s actually a new term that emerged in the last thirty years. Celebrities from the movie industry and music industry took a shine to hybrid dogs. Female celebrities started carrying their cute hybrids in their very expensive designer handbags. And the popularity that arose from there. If a celebrity loves wearing designer brands and also loves her new hybrid dog, then the dog must be a “designer” dog! And thus the term was coined.

THE MOST POPULAR DESIGNER DOG BREEDS

There are many benefits of owning a designer dog breed. A great portion of designer dogs today are half Poodle. Poodles are hypoallergenic. By creating hybrid hypoallergenic breeds, many people who were never able to own a dog due to allergies are now able to have a furry friend! Not only do the Poodle genes create hypoallergenic hybrids, but these designer dogs are also highly intelligent thanks to their Poodle parents. Smarter breeds are easier to train. And they’re known for having a heightened sensitivity to their owners’ moods! 

Here are the most popular designer dog breeds you might consider getting:

Goldendoodle

An adorable Goldendoodle dog stands with her puppy in front of a white picket fence outside on a sunny day.

A cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, Goldendoodles have quickly become the most popular designer dog breed today. Goldendoodles are friendly, energetic, and affectionate. Depending on whether their Poodle parent was Standard, Miniature, or Toy, the resulting Goldendoodle can be large, medium, or small in size. 

Labradoodle

A happy looking Labradoodle with a beautiful golden coat lays in the grass to show that this designer dog mix of Poodle and Labrador Retriever is friendly.

Labradoodles are a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. Labs have long since been one of the most popular family dog breeds thanks to their loyalty, trainability, and obedience. These desirable traits have carried over into the lovable Labradoodle! If you love high energy, lots of love, and a spunky personality, you can’t go wrong with a Labradoodle. 

Pomsky

A cross between a Siberian Husky and a Pomeranian, the Pomsky is an adorable designer dog you have to meet!

What do you get when you cross a Pomeranian and a Siberian Husky? The adorable Pomsky! Pomskys are not hypoallergenic. But they are heart-meltingly cute! Tiny and fluffy, they take after their Pomeranian parents. And yet they embody the big personality and high-drama of the very vocal Siberian Husky. You really have to meet a Pomsky to fathom the cuteness overload that this designer dog breed causes in the hearts of their owners!

Morkie

A Morkie cross between a Yorkie and a Maltese sits on a park bench.

A cross between a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier, the Morkie has taken the designer dog scene by storm! Morkies are low-shedding, low-allergen dogs. They have affectionate, sometimes feisty personalities thanks to their Yorkie parents. But Morkies are noticeably calmer than the average Yorkshire Terrier. If you want a classic designer dog that’ll look great in your designer tote and love it so much they won’t want to come out, you must get a Morkie.

Maltipoo

A cute Maltipoo, which is a mix of Toy Poodle and Maltese, lays next to his yellow bowl inside.

Our next designer dog breed has cuteness that’s through the roof. We’re talking about the lovable Maltipoo! Maltipoos are a cross between Malteses and Toy Poodles. Maltipoos are hypoallergenic, adorable, and very snuggly. A true lapdog at heart, your Maltipoo will live to love you and love most when it’s on your lap. Celebrities that have chosen Maltipoos to be their furry friends include Jessica Simpson, Blake Lively, and Rihanna!   

Puggle  

A cute Puggle with a red collar stares nervously across a field during autumn time.

Last but certainly not least on our list today is the cute Puggle! Puggles have a distinct, somewhat bewildered expression that’s unlike any other designer dog. As a cross between a Pug and a Beagle, this breed has a lot of personality! Puggles are known for their playful nature, sweet personality, and stubborn streak. This breed was originally developed for the purpose of eliminating some of the health problems that Pugs experience due to their flat faces and thick physiques. 

DESIGNER DOG BREEDS FOR SALE AT PETLAND TEXAS

Petland Texas has the cutest designer dog breeds! Located in Houston, TX, and Tyler, TX, these hybrid, hypoallergenic puppies are ready to meet you! 

For your reference, we’ve listed our designer dog breed puppies alphabetically:

Meet our most popular purebred dog breeds, available in Houston and Tyler at Petland Texas:

That concludes our article on designer dog breeds! We hope you found it informative. And should you have any questions, you’re welcome to Contact Us at our Houston and Tyler, Texas, pet stores in Texas. Come into Petland Texas, and let us help you turn your designer doggy dream into a reality!