Crossbreeding isn't new to animals...or dogs.
Crossbreeding is probably the most misunderstood and underappreciated practice in commercial livestock production...Crossbreeding is the recommended breeding strategy for commercial meat sheep and meat goat production.
In ranching and farming, crossbreeding isn’t all that rare. The Brangus cow, for example, is an F1 cross of two breeds – the Brahma and the Angus. The Brangus was bred in the mid-1900s in order to develop a breed that would thrive in the heat of the southern United States and still produce high quality meat.
So why would you crossbreed a dog?
Dog crossbreeds have been around forever. They’re normally just called “mutts” and are the result of an accidental breeding, or simply, nature. But intentionally breeding dogs from separate breeds? When did this begin and why? And why is this so controversial when the crossbreeding of many other species of animals is accepted by almost everyone? (Click here to read more about the “pros and cons” of dog crossbreeds.) This is an interesting question, and the answer is usually driven by personal, strongly held opinions…rather than science or logic.
It might surprise you that these breeds are crossbreeds!
1. Golden Retriever
That’s right! The Golden Retriever, 3rd most popular AKC purebred dog in the world, is a crossbreed! Then why do so many Golden Retriever purists become upset at the thought of the abominable “Goldendoodle”? I really don’t know.
The Golden Retriever originated in Scotland when, in 1868, a man called Lord Tweedmouth crossed two different hunting dogs. His goal was to create a better overall waterfowl retriever. 64 years later, the Golden was recognized by the AKC (but not without many “purists” arguing against it!) These days, they’re obviously accepted by everyone.
Tweedmouth notes the mating took place in 1868 between a yellow Wavy-Coated Retriever named Nous and a somewhat rare, and now extinct, Tweed Water-Spaniel named Belle. That breeding produced four yellow puppies: Crocus, Cowslip, Ada and Primrose. It took another 64 years before the breed was officially recognized in the United States by the American Kennel Club.
2. Jack Russell Terrier
Yep! The Jack Russell Terrier was also created to be a better hunter. (They hunted foxes above, and below ground.) While we’re not completely sure what dogs Rev. John Russell used to create the breed, it’s believed two of the dogs were Beagles and Bull Terriers.
3. French Bulldog
The 2nd most popular purebred AKC dog, the French Bulldog, originated in England ironically. It came about when a Pug was crossed with a Terrier. Most people don’t know…it’s not even a Bulldog!
4. The LABRADOR RETRIEVER!
For 31 consecutive years, the Lab has been the most popular purebred AKC dog in the world. And guess what, it was created by crossing two (or more) breeds of dogs. In the 1800s, the St. John’s water dog was bred to British hunting dogs and the result was the Labrador Retriever!
And there are so many more...
The Toy Fox Terrier was developed in the 20th century when breeders crossed the Fox Terrier with several miniature breeds, including Chihuahuas. They did this to produce a smaller dog that would be just as effective at controlling the rat population.
Australian Shepherds came about when ranchers mixed Pyrenean Shepherds with Border Collies and other Collies. The Weimaraner originated in Germany and was a cross between pointers and setters. The Welsh Corgi is a cross between the original Corgi and a Spitz-type dog called a Flemish Weaver. Schnauzer – Poodle, gray Wolfspitz and wire-haired Pincher.
I think you get the point...
All the chatter you might hear about how a “Goldendoodle is a Frankenstein” or about how the “Labradoodle is blasphemy to the dog world”, well, most of those folks just haven’t done their research.
Many of the dog breeds we see everyday are the result of a breeder in the past combining two unique breeds in order to try to improve upon the animal. Just like with cattle, goats, sheep or chickens, a dog breed might benefit by these changes. I’m not ignoring that fact that mistakes happen and that some people have nefarious motives. I’d just like everyone to evaluate the Doodle in the same, fair context we use for other dog breeds!
So where did Doodles come from?
In the 1980s, a blind woman from Hawaii needed help because her husband was allergic to her guide dog. She wrote a letter to the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia and they agreed to help find a solution. The breeder affiliated with the people she contacted found the solution when he mated his best Labrador Retriever to a Standard Poodle. The result was the Labradoodle, the very first official Doodle.
The experiment was successful in the end. The breeder produced an intelligent, trainable dog that had far less shedding and dander. (It’s actually dander that’s the issue. Click here to read more about dog fur, shedding and dander.)
Since then, many Doodle varieties have appeared. And while there is no truly 100% hypoallergenic dog, the Doodle offers as close to the best of both worlds as we may ever see. A terrific, loyal, loving family pet with less shedding and fewer allergy problems.
One last note from Jeff...
In regards to the “Great Doodle Debate”, the entire thing perplexes me a bit. I find human nature interesting, and often counter intuitive. Most people are perfectly OK with crossbreeds in the world of livestock. Whatever puts the best beef or chicken or cabrito on the dinner plate I guess. Or, let’s just produce the best wool or leather that we can. To heck with the various breeds of sheep. But to some people, if you own a Doodle or if you, heaven forbid, breed Doodles…then you are, to them, less than human.
It’s a fascinating study, how we’ve classified our dogs so differently than other animals. I mean, I completely understand the love and passion for dogs. My love, sweat, tears and sometimes blood gets poured into raising them!
We’ll write more on this subject soon, I promise!
Interesting read!! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Jamie! Appreciate you taking the time to read!
If all AKC recognized breeds started as crossbreeds—when will doodles be accepted as purebred?
Hey Adrienne!
That’s a terrific question. When they accepted the originals, like the Labs and Goldens, they were forming something new – less “bureaucracy”, so to speak and probably easier to be recognized. So considering the already existing controversy surrounding Doodles, it will be a tough hill to climb for sure. But having said that, the AKC does accept new breeds from time to time. In fact, they accepted two new breeds just last year – a Russian breed and a Hungarian breed. It’ll ultimately depend on the breeders of the various Doodles and their ability to establish “breed standards”.
Interestingly, the AKC established “AKC Canine Partners” in 2009 which allows mixed-breeds to participate in many of the AKC programs, including agility, scent training, obedience and others.
Thanks for reading and thanks for the comment!