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Dog hybrids and
crossbreeds Article
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed
encyclopedia I found on Answer.com.
A dog hybrid is a cross between two different breeds (selectively bred
varieties). Hybrids are also known as crossbreeds or crossbreds, although the
term crossbreed is also used to refer to a mixed-breed dog where the breed of
only one parent or grandparent
is known. A dog of unknown parentage is called a mongrel.
In biology, the word hybrid has two meanings. The first meaning is the result of
interbreeding between two animals or plants of different taxa. Hybrids between
different species within the same genus are sometimes known as interspecific
hybrids or crosses. Hybrids between different sub-species within a species are
known as intra-specific hybrids. The cross-breeding of dogs is closest to the
latter.
The second meaning of "hybrid" is crosses between populations, breeds or
cultivars of a single species. This second meaning is often used in plant and
animal breeding.
In less technical conversation (and particularly in the dog world) the word
hybrid refers to selective breed crosses and their progeny,
even if outcrossed to other breeds. For example, the Queensland Wild Dog
Management Strategy, September 2002, states that hybrid
will also refer to the descendants of crossbred progeny.
Some dog hybrids are now being selectively bred. The term designer dogs is often
used to refer to these crosses. The practice causes
much controversy; opponents cite the often exorbitant prices charged for what is
essentially a mutt.
Proponents point out that there are bona fide reasons for the breeding of some
of these crosses (the Labradoodle, for example, was first
bred as a guide dog for visually impaired people with allergies), and also that
the available research shows that crossbreds on average
live longer and healthier lives (see mixed breed dogs and heterosis/hybrid
vigor).
Among the better known dog hybrids are Labradoodles and Australian Bulldogs,
which each have their own breed fancy associations.
Poodle crosses are popular.
In some dog sports, particularly Flyball, hybrids have become very popular. The
Borderjack (Border Collie/Jack Russell Terrier) is
desirable because it retains the small size of the Jack Russell but has the
athletic ability and trainability of the Border Collie. The
Borderstaffy (Border Collie/Staffordshire Bull Terrier) is prized because it has
the speed of a Border Collie and the strength of a
Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Dog hybrids are not recognized by the main registries. They should not be
confused with independent breeds, which are also not
recognized. The difference lies in the longevity of the breed, the numbers of
breeders and the existence of a legitimate breed club, the
number of specimens of the breed past a certain number of generations, whether
or not it breeds true to type, for how long a breed
registry has been maintained, and the reason for the non-recognition. Often
independent breed clubs oppose recognition, for reasons
which usually concern maintaining independent control of the qualities of their
chosen breed.
Whilst the trend to produce hybrid or designer dogs is considered new it is, in
fact, a continuation of the centuries old practice of
selective breeding. All dog breeds were created for a particular purpose,
usually some form of hunting, herding or guarding. These
tasks have been largely replaced by the need to produce healthily dogs with good
temperaments as domestic companions or pets.
Portmanteau names
With the long-time popularity, of the "breed" name cockapoo, used since at least
1970 and constructed by combining elements of its two
contributing breeds (Cocker Spaniel/Poodle), it has become extremely common to
find mixed-breed dogs named with breed names
likewise invented by portmanteau. The tendency for using such names in a jocular
way dates back at least to Queen Elizabeth's Dorgis
(Dachshund/Corgi). However, extremely few of these become mainstream "breeds"
over long periods with determined breeders, and, as
of 2006, Cockapoo and Labradoodle are still the only such combined names to make
it into the dictionary. Nonetheless, names such as
these commonly appear in for-sale ads and often lack consistency; a cross
between a Maltese Terrier and a Poodle, for example, may be
advertised as either a "Maltipoo" or a "Moodle".
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