How Crossbreeding Dogs Can Cause Risks to their Health and Welfare

 by Isabel F

Earlier this year, headlines following Crufts came to my attention. Their choices of Best of Breed and Best Utility for French Bulldogs were under scrutiny after questions were raised over the winning dog's health. The breed's future is at stake, as they have been bred to excess, sacrificing the dogs’ ability to breathe for pure aesthetics. Elton, the French Bulldog who won these two categories, is said to lack the clear nostrils and pronounced muzzle the revised breed standard requires, put in place in order to secure the future health of the breed. Many critics see this decision as harmful, as it perpetuates poor standards for the breed, especially as Crufts winners of Best of Breed are expected to be exemplary. Although Crufts has responded by saying that Elton passes all relevant health tests, this is not seen as enough for some. They argue that by selecting a dog who does not obviously meet the revised breed standards the old, unrealistic expectations are reinforced.

Famously, the original breeder of the Labradoodle, Wally Conron, refers to his invention as ‘his life’s regret’. This is largely because he finds ‘’that the biggest majority [of labradoodles] are either crazy or have a hereditary problem’’, and the breed’s effects in triggering a boom in cross-breeds with problematic health.

The 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns saw a boom in demand for dogs, or ‘pandemic puppies’, many of whom were crossbreeds. This expansion in demand was met with price inflation, as puppy prices skyrocketed, and rising concerns over the welfare of these puppies. This was due to many breeders meeting this expansion in demand by cutting corners, thereby endangering the health and wellbeing of their dogs. Not only that, but many consumers are choosing crossbreeds; a decision that appears to be largely based on misconceptions, such as these breeds' possession of improved temperaments, hypoallergenic, coats and so forth. In 2019, 18.8% of puppies in the UK were a designer crossbreed, but by 2020, this had risen to 26.1% (Royal Veterinary College London, May 2022). The owners of these new designer dogs were found to be more likely to prioritise their convenience over welfare factors; more likely to buy their dogs via general online marketplaces; and less likely to be offered DNA screening and veterinary tests, which was largely due to a small number of prospective buyers expecting/ asking breeders for them. In addition, these new owners were more likely to surrender their dogs, often upon learning that their misconceived notions of better behaviour were in fact incorrect, putting further strain on animal charities. 

Whilst the notion of intentionally breeding dogs for specific traits is nothing new, in my opinion, this does not entirely excuse it. Continuing to breed with aims to increase hypoallergenic attributes, or to better perform jobs can be justified, as long as this is done carefully to ensure the health of the dogs is prioritised. Personally, the continued breeding of those with widely-publicised and widespread health issues can only be sanctioned if the improvement of the breed’s health and wellbeing (over aesthetics or trends) is kept at the forefront. 

Lastly, I would recommend that anyone who wishes to own a dog considers whether they are fully prepared to care for and finance it, whether they have been influenced by trends in their choice of their desired dog, and whether they lifestyle suits their chosen breed.

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https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/pet-advice/should-the-uk-reintroduce-compulsory-dog-licenses.html 07.50 19th april 

https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/gundogs/dog-licences-129777/ 07.50 19th april 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_licence 07.50 19th april

https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass/news/peke-a-poo-boom-in-designer-dogs-creates-the-perfect-storm-for-animal-welfare-issues 07.55

Increase in demand (due to misconceptions?) → concerns about welfare of these dogs: poor breeding/ puppy farms/ illegal importation

‘The team previously documented a significant increase in designer crossbreed ownership during the pandemic, from fewer than 1 in 5 puppies in 2019 being a designer crossbreed (18.8%), to more than 1 in 4 puppies in 2020 (26.1%). This highlights a dramatic shift in demand towards designer crossbreeds in the UK population and suggests that designer dogs are now the latest ‘fad breed’ for puppy buyers.’

‘Additional findings include that owners of designer crossbreeds:

• Prioritise convenient purchasing of their dog over welfare factors – being less likely to seek a breeder that was trustworthy or provided relevant health tests in favour of a breeder that lived within a suitable distance or had available puppies at the desired time.

• Were less likely to be provided with DNA and veterinary screening tests for their puppies’ parents by their breeder - in part a result of fewer crossbreed owners asking to see any results or believing that there were no relevant tests for their crossbreed.

• Were more likely to source their puppy online, via a general selling website or an animal-specific selling website.’

‘This booming designer crossbreed trade is also posing a serious risk to the overall welfare of these animals. This includes health risks caused by breeding without due regard to health, increasing the risk of inherited disorders. For example, a reduced emphasis on pre-breeding health screening of the parents of many designer crossbreeds could lead to increased levels of debilitating conditions such as hip dysplasia in the Labradoodle (Labrador x Poodle) in the future.

Designer dog owners also more likely to return/ give up their dogs- usually when they learn that their misconceptions were misconceived/ they were deceived by breeders etc. 

‘Additionally, behavioural risks are increased as, in some cases, behaviour in designer crossbreed offspring is less desirable than the behaviour of the parent breeds, including increased levels of aggression in the Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever x Poodle).’

https://cgejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40575-022-00120-x 

https://blog.wuuff.dog/whats-driving-popularity-of-designer-dog-breeds/

From this article- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4111020/The-mixed-mutts-seen-number-designer-dogs-rise-eightfold-decade-tell-shorkie-puggle.html 

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/mar/08/no-discernible-nostrils-crufts-in-row-over-prizes-for-french-bulldog 20th April 21.25

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-49826945.amp  20th April 21.54

In a recent interview on an ABC podcast, Wally Conron says the invention is his "life's regret" and he hasn't "got a clue" why people are still breeding them today.

He's become concerned that an influx of copycat cross-breeds has created health problems for many dogs.

I opened a Pandora's box" Wally told ABC, "I released a Frankenstein".

"I find that the biggest majority [of labradoodles] are either crazy or have a hereditary problem” 

https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass/news/who-s-top-dog-french-bulldogs-and-cockapoos-claim-top-spot-for-the-uk-s-most-popular-puppies.