Design-a-Dog at the Shelter
Goldendoodles, cockapoos, cockadoodledoos, and whatever else they’re called, “hybrid” dogs fetch—a pretty penny, that is. And breeders and puppy mills are cashing in on the craze. It’s really silly that some folks are shelling out as much as $1,600 for one of these dogs when animal shelters and rescue groups are overflowing with dogs in every combination of breeds imaginable, often without the costly health problems of dogs who are purebred or close to it. Perhaps rescuers could convince people to adopt if we started touting our dogs as “designer,” too, like my lovely “German Huskweiler.”
Insisting on designer sunglasses is one thing, but buying a designer dog is deadly to a dog in an animal shelter. If you know someone considering a hybrid dog, please encourage him or her to visit the local animal shelter (and note that an estimated 25 percent of shelter dogs are purebred) or look at Petfinder.com and see the hundreds of stunning mixed-breed pups with great personalities who are waiting for a family to love.
Written by Michelle Sherrow
