Hybrid Retriever

[CockerCanuck]

The way I look at this is fundamentally people have been selectively breeding dogs for the purpose they need for about 15,000 years. Current recognized breeds only go back about 150 years. Times change and needs change. I think it is silly to restrict ourselves to the breeds/decisions our Victorian ancestors made. I have no doubt that crossbreeding can produce useful dogs for modern needs.

On the other hand first generation crosses can be quite unpredictable in their results so the pups should not be worth more than more predictable purebred pups from recognized breeds. They should be worth less as you are taking a bigger chance on what you are getting.

In short I support the experimentation but not charging the public more for the byproduct of your experiment.

[Springfield Pointers]

What is the purpose of a Labradoodle? Or a Cockerpoo? There is, in my mind, a very large difference in "developing a breed" and making a fashion statement.

[Springcopse spaniels]

I was listening to the "Hunting Dog Podcast" the other night and a short discussion came up about these 'Hybrid Retrievers'. Essentially, a Labrador crossed with a GSP. The guest said he hunted over a few but neither of them pointed, however, they did hunt close.

This conversation got me thinking, again, why with all the old tried and true breeds about would someone have enough hybris to think they are going to reinvent the wheel? Why can't they just go and get a good dog and leave well enough alone ? Or, better still, just improve on the good stock around ?

https://www.hybridretrievers.com/

[Springfield Pointers]

Yep. That, and how fashionable these breeds are. As far as working ability goes, these "hybrids" do nothing for progression.

[Nickheref]

On the subject of mongrel pups. I had a litter last summer of KC reg ESS out of a multiple FTAW bitch to A FTCH dog. All pups docked and dew clawed, KC registered ,micro chipped ,5 weeks free insurance, puppy pack and all documentation. One person called and asked if I would accept £400 pounds as they could easily buy a sprocker for £850. I said go buy the sprocker. My pup was £600. They bought the sprocker, tail not docked, back dew claws on and obviously no documentation.

A few years ago a friend of mine ended up with a litter of sprockers by accident, much to his shame and he asked if I would have one free just to help him out, he also had a litter of springers at the same time.I agreed reluctantly to have one of the sprockers as a favour to him. A couple of weeks later he phoned me in disbelief saying that I needn't worry he had sold every sprocker on the first night he advertised them but could not sell the KC registered etc etc springers!!

[trekmoor]

If I was young again and had plenty of dosh and free time, I'd be right into breeding a few "lines" of cross-breeds for work purposes. I made a lot of enemies in Britain's Brittany world by having and working and winning trials with a brit bitch that was half American in type and half French. American brits are not "acceptable" to Britain's show based and orientated brit fanciers.

I have never trained a full blooded American brit but the crossing of American with French gave me, I think, a bitch with outstanding working ability......even Keith Erlandson had heard of her ! Was this a sort of "hybrid vigour ?" - - - - I will never know but I do know that she beat every pure bred "French" brit that came up against her in field trials ..... the G.S.P.s' got a bit of a shock too !

Wullie

[CockerCanuck]

What is the purpose of a Labradoodle? Or a Cockerpoo? There is, in my mind, a very large difference in "developing a breed" and making a fashion statement.

Actually there was a purpose for the original Labradoodles. I heard a broadcast about it on our CBC. The original breeder was an Australian guide dog trainer. He worked with some blind people who also suffered from allergies. He bred the original Labradoodles to try and come up with the smarts and trainability of a Lab but with a Standard Poodle's less allergenic coat. Seems to me a very reasonable thing to do.

Of course he had not idea what was to come and the crazy popularity they would become in the pet trade. Less scrupulous breeds started crossing second rate Labradors with second rate Poodles which of course resulted in 4th rate Labradoodles and sold to the unknowing public at crazy prices.

[Springfield Pointers]

What is the purpose of a Labradoodle? Or a Cockerpoo? There is, in my mind, a very large difference in "developing a breed" and making a fashion statement.

Actually there was a purpose for the original Labradoodles. I heard a broadcast about it on our CBC. The original breeder was an Australian guide dog trainer. He worked with some blind people who also suffered from allergies. He bred the original Labradoodles to try and come up with the smarts and trainability of a Lab but with a Standard Poodle's less allergenic coat. Seems to me a very reasonable thing to do.

Of course he had not idea what was to come and the crazy popularity they would become in the pet trade. Less scrupulous breeds started crossing second rate Labradors with second rate Poodles which of course resulted in 4th rate Labradoodles and sold to the unknowing public at crazy prices.

Yes. I had heard that. My reference was more aimed at working dogs. However, I suppose service dogs are working dogs too. So I concede, some value in this instance.

But I must add (in my defence) , why didn't someone just train a poodle...

[CockerCanuck]

An aside for a funny story. My CBR Hamish has a typical Chessie tight curly thick coat. One day I was training him at a lakeside park with my youngest son. A young couple with a kid in a stroller stopped to watch. The young Mom came to speak to me. She asked Hamish's age and name and where I got him. She said she LOVES the breed and it's want they want for a family dog when the kid gets a little older. I was surprised and impressed she was even aware of CBR's which even here are not that common, so I told her so. She looked confused and said "Oh I thought he was a Labradoodle".

My son cracked right up and still refers to him as "The Labradoodle".

[Naj]

SP, In the world of terriers and running dogs I doubt you’d get a purebred dog. They’re all unregistered outcrosses.

Naj