Welcome to vnonline.co.uk

vnonline.co.uk provides the veterinary nursing profession with the latest news and industry developments, as well as events, resources, learning materials and careers.

Our website is dedicated to veterinary nurses and we strive to provide a platform where you can voice and explore your interests.

Not a member yet? Sign up for free!

Register for free with vnonline.co.uk to gain unlimited access to news, resources, jobs and much more!



Click here to become a member






Log in to vnonline

Forgot your password?

Posted: 26th May 2022

Study identifies misconceptions behind designer dog boom
The most common crossbreeds acquired between 2019 and 2020 were cockapoos, labradoodles, cavapoos, sprocker, and goldendoodles.  
“The UK public are flocking towards designer crossbreeds based on perceptions that they are ‘off the shelf’ easy family dogs" - Rowena Packer, RVC.

Perceptions that designer dogs are hypoallergenic, easy to train and good with children fuelled the staggering demand for such breeds between 2019 and 2020, according to new research.

The study led by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) also suggests that the high demand for designer crossbreed dogs during this time led to poor breeding and buyers unintentionally supporting the cruel trade in puppy farming.

Researchers hope their findings, published in Canine Genetics and Medicine, will further understanding about why designer dogs are increasing in popularity and help the profession educate the public about responsible puppy buying. 

Dr Rowena Packer, a lecturer in companion animal behaviour and welfare science at the RVC said: “The UK public are flocking towards designer crossbreeds based on perceptions that they are ‘off the shelf’ easy family dogs; trainable, healthy, and hypoallergenic dogs that fit into their owners’ existing lifestyles. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that reality will meet all of these high expectations, with little evidence to support these claims. 

“These misconceptions risk poor outcomes for both dogs and their owners in the future, including rehoming, unexpected health problems and bite risks. Would-be owners should avoid being enticed by designer labels and rose-tinted expectations, and instead conduct thorough research to help decide if these are really the dogs for them.”

In the study, researchers at the RVC and the University of Nottingham surveyed 6,300 owners across the UK who acquired a puppy between 2019 and 2020. Of these, 1,575 owned designer crossbreeds, with the most common being the cockapoo, labradoodle, cavapoo, sprocker, and goldendoodle.

Other key findings from the study show that the owners of designer crossbreeds:
  • prioritise convenient purchasing of their dog over welfare factors
  • were less likely to be provided with DNA and veterinary screening tests for their puppies’ parents by their breeder
  • were more likely to source their puppy online, via a general selling website or an animal-specific selling website.
As well as the risk to consumers from purchasing puppies from unscrupulous sources, researchers fear that the boom in designer crossbreeds 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.

Other issues include a potentially increased rate of relinquishment of designer crossbreeds in the future, as owners realise the reality of their misconceptions.

Dr Dan O’Neill, an associate professor in companion animal epidemiology at the RVC said: “Sadly, designer dogs often do not come from ‘designer’ breeding programmes but are farmed indiscriminately to meet the current craze for breed-crosses with catchy names such as Frug and Jackalier. Check out the seller before buying, visit your puppy several times before you bring them home, and always make sure you see the puppy with its mum.”



Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history



Latest news | Careers | Events | Resources | Contact us | Terms and conditions | Data Protection and Privacy |Cookie policy | About us | Copyright
© 2024 Vision Media, all rights reserved. vnonline.co.uk is not responsible for the content of external websites.