Midweek Crossbreed: Meet the Designer Dog

Last week, we found out what a mixed-bred dog is and why it could be a better choice than a purebred dog.

Not mentioned in the previous post, however, is some of the downsides of getting a mixed-bred dog.While they are not big problems, you should always know what you are getting yourself into when you buy a dog.

One of the downsides of a mixed-bred dog is that you have no idea which parent it will take after. While mixed-breeds come a wider variety of colors, patterns, and sizes, predicting them can be quite hard. For example, a Poodle mix Great Dane really has a 50/50% chance of getting looks and temperament from either parent. A puppy that was supposed to grow to only 45 pounds may exceed 95 pounds! And suddenly, the non-shedding coat you hoped for starts to leave hairs everywhere!

Also, mixed-breed dogs are not allowed to compete in most conformation shows. Conformation results are based on comparing your dog to the breed standards. Because mixed-bred dogs vary so much from dog to dog, results are not always accurate. There are a few mixed-bred Conformation competitions, but none that are professional.

So. What's a person supposed to do? You want a dog, not really a purebred, but you want to know what you're getting. Well, have I got an answer for you!

And the name is the Designer Dog! What's a Designer Dog? Well, it's definitely not a poodle carrying a Fendi bag! 


Designer Dogs are just mixed-breed dogs in reality, the only difference is that they were carefully planned. Breeders take two breeds with traits that they like and crossbreed them, in hopes of the puppies getting the same traits. It takes many, many generations until each and every puppy has the traits they want, but there you go! A Designer Dog!

The Pros of a Designer Dog are like those of a mixed-bred dog, but you get to know exactly what you're getting, because the designer dog was carefully bred to have certain traits. However, Designer Dogs are still not recognized by professional Conformation shows. There are city-run shows especially for crossbreeds, but that means your puppy won't be able to compete in the Best of Breed.

But for normal dog owners, that's not a big problem is it? For those not in search of a future Dog Show champion, Designer Dogs are just a great way to get a mixed-bred but know what you're getting.

The biggest con of a Designer Dog, however, is that buying one will not help save a life. For every Designer Dog bought (and boy are they expensive!), a mixed-bred in a shelter looses a chance of a second home. So if predictability is what you're really looking for, look for an adult dog in shelters. With adult mixed-bred dogs, you're looking at what you're getting.

Adoptable dogs can be found using "PetFinder" at http://www.petfinder.com/index.html  or visiting your local shelter.

Midweek Crossbreed: Meet the Heinz 57s

They're everywhere! In the pet shops, streets, backyards and even barking at you from your neighbor's window! They're of all different shapes, sizes and colors. They're swimmers, jumpers, runners, and fetchers. And who are they? America's number one dog "breed" of course! The Mixed-bred dog!

These spotted, splotched, brindled, stripped dogs go by all sorts of names from All American to Heinz 57! They might not be "brand-name" but they sure do have a lot of charm!

The pros of these four-legged family members are endless! They are everything dog and more! Unlike a purebred dog, you won't have to settle for just the same old boring coat colors and body shapes! Mixed-bred dogs are full of surprises! They come in all shapes, sizes and colors so there's definitely one for you!

Unlike pure-blood dogs who are more likely to inherit genetic problems, mixed-breeds are much less likely. It is a proven fact that mixed-breeds are much healthier, meaning less stress on both you and your wallet! And to top it off, mixed-breed dogs tend to live longer than pure-bloods!

And to add even more icing to your cake, mixed-bred dogs are inexpensive! Since they seem to be everywhere, acquiring one is super easy! You won't have to pay thousands for a "champion-lined" pure-blood that might end up with a long list of health problems, instead, you can easily get a lovable, "champion-in-your-heart", healthy mixed-bred dog for a fraction of the price of a purebred!

The reason that mixed-bred dogs are cheaper than their pure-blood counterparts is simply because some breeders and dog associations see the bloodline as a "status symbol" and many of these mixed-breeds are usually accidental. Shelters are overflowing with these lovable dogs because there is a higher demand for "blood status".

We aren't Slytherins! We shouldn't be caring about the blood status of a dog! It's almost equivalent to judging someone because they are not pure Irish or pure French. Humans have long lost the ability to be "pure-blood", so why should we favor dogs that are? Mixed-bred dogs and pure-bred dogs are all four-legged family members begging to be loved, so why should one receive more simply because of their lineage?

However, despite my own views, I am not here to persuade you that a mixed-bred is better than a pure-bred. I am here to ask you to consider adopting a mixed-bred from a shelter and giving him/her a second chance. Purebreds are often bought way before their birth, but hundreds and thousands of mixed-breeds wait for a home in shelters. So for your next dog, please consider adopting a mixed-bred from a shelter.

Rare Dogs: The Norwegian Lundehund

These little dogs are best known for having 6 toes instead of 4 like normal dogs. Those extra toes aid the dogs in hunting puffins and their eggs on the rocky cliffs of Røst.

During World War II, these dogs were nearly wiped out when canine distemper struck their homes. After the war, another round of distemper left only 6 breedable dogs, 5 of which came from the same mother.

But thankfully, after a lot of careful breeding, there are now 1,500 to 2,000 of them in the world. There are less than 300 in the U.S.

The breed's biggest problem, however, is their digestive system. These little dogs are unable to extract the nutrients from the food they eat and the dog can actually starve no matter how much he eats. Due to this problem, the Norwegian Lundehunds have shorter life expectancy.

Due to its rarity, not much is known about these cute little dogs. But one thing is for certain, they are really flexible! Dogs of this breed are known to be able to bend their head backwards along their own spine!

Organic Way to Clean Dog Urine

The biggest problem with free-roaming four-legged family members is that they don't have to be at a toilet to pee. Regular cleaners contain chemicals that are toxic not only for pets, but also for humans. So how in the world are you going to get rid of that yellow pond that's soaking into your carpet right now? Well, here's an organic and safe way to get rid of pee stains in your carpets...

You'll Need: Plain white vinegar, warm tap water, rags, baking soda, 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution, organic dish soap

Step 1. Blot up as much pee as possible (assuming it's fresh)

Step 2. Soak the stain with a solution of plain white vinegar and warm water.

            -1:1 ratio, let it soak for 5 min. (vinegar takes out the smell and it's antibacterial)

Step 3. Blot up the vinegar and water using rags

Step 4. Pour a good amount of baking soda over the stain

Step 5. Mix 3% hydrogen peroxide with dish soap (dish soap can't contain petroleum products).

            -1 cup of peroxide to 1 teaspoon organic dish soap

Step 6. Sprinkle the peroxide and dish soap mixture over stain.

            -Do it slowly because peroxide can sometimes discolor things.

            -It would be a good idea to try on a corner first

Step 7. Wait for baking soda to dry completely and vacuum up

And Viola! No more awkward dark spot in your nice cream carpet.