What do you think of this.....

[Kanga]

Purebred dogs are bred for show competition and increasingly they have developed body and temperament problems due to emphasis on breeding show attributes at the expense of basic pet qualities. Designer dogs represent a vast improvement for the pet owner. They are cheaper to own and much more fun for the family. They are also safer with the kids

This is a quote from a self proclaimed "expert" here in Au who was once on Television here and has his own magazine. he is actually a garden guru.

He is going to be on TV here (our) tomorrow morning helping viewers select the right dog for them.

What do you guys think? Is he right in his assumption?

[bek74]

I think at some point we as people ( breeders) have done an injustice to the Maltese breed. I think it is terrible how we have managed over the years to wipe out every colour variation with in the breed. We as people have made up OUR OWN standards wiping some chaacteristics out of the breed.

I don't believe designer dogs ( mixed) are cheaper than a purebred, these days they can be more expensive. To me the Maltese has also become a Designer dog.

Don't be mad at me, I luv Maltese, and think they are just beautiful, however I also think it is a shame what we have done to the breed yet so many others judge those that cross breed.

JMO

[Kanga]

Weren't all dogs at one time designer dogs?

Look at the Maltese for example. look at all the cross breeding that went on to get the gorgeous white dogs we have today.

Were they wrong to do this. Was there a furore back then about designer breeds I wonder?

[dogloverx4]

People LOVE to talk about the problems in cross breeds , I've owned a Maltese x shih tzu for the last 20 years without one day of ill health . My last Maltese x shih tzu had pups , they are turning 16 this year , a healthy parent has healthy pups . Some reputable breeders in Australia told me that U.S breeders are breeding a white shih tzu in to get a baby doll face , some of the Maltese I've seen have noses as flat as Henry . Shih tzu breeders also have it well documented that a pekingese was bred in some lines , it accounts for some shih tzu's tip tilted faces . I do think the affordability of the x's accounts for the amount of these types of dogs in shelters . Sarah