Cross and designer breed dogs have become increasingly popular over the last few years with people choosing to move away from traditional pedigree and purebred breeds, in favour of a ‘best of both worlds’ hybrid approach to some of the most well-loved traditional breeds.  

What is a cross or designer breed dog? 

A cross or designer breed dog is one which is bred from two different purebred breeds, with the aim of combining the best traits of each breed to create a combination of the two. As they combine two different breeds, they are not officially recognised as their own breed, instead referred to by a colloquial name which reflects the two parent breeds. For example, a ‘Labradoodle’ is a cross between a Labrador retriever and a Poodle.  

When a dog is bred from two purebred parents, as in the example here, they are often referred to as an F1 crossbreed. This means both their parents were purebred, and they are the first generation of crossbred offspring. 

Some crossbreeds do not come from purebred parents. These are often called F2, F3, F4 etc. and refer to how many generations down the line from the purebred parents the offspring are.  

Sometimes this can be two crossbred F1 animals bred together to create offspring, or it can be an F1 animal bred back with a purebred animal to emphasise certain characteristics (often referred to as an F1B), or it can be later generations bred together. The dog breeder should be able to give you the information on the type of crossbreed they have, whether it is first generation, second generation etc. and what the parental details are, including if they are purebred or a crossbreed, and if crossbreed what generation they are.  

What are the benefits of a crossbreed dog over a purebred dog? 

The main discussed benefit of crossbred dogs over purebred dogs is the concept of ‘hybrid vigour’. Put simply, this means that crossing two breeds together gives you a wider genetic pool and reduces the chance of inheriting genes which can lead to certain diseases. This often leads to an increased lifespan when crossbreed dogs are compared to purebred dogs. 

A 2013 study by O’Neill et al., found that crossbreed dogs had an average increased lifespan of 1.2 years compared to purebred dogs. 

Other benefits of crossbreed dogs are due to the mix of desirable traits from two different breeds. This can select for different behaviours and characteristics which make them more suitable for certain environments than their purebred counterparts, due to the dilution of more extreme characteristics from one breed when mixed with another.  

Crossbreed dogs can be cheaper compared to purebred dogs when purchased from a breeder. This is often due to them not having expensive breed registrations and certifications, which are a requirement of breeding purebred and pedigree dogs. However, it is worth noting that particularly popular crossbreeds can still be fairly expensive as they are in high demand.  

What are the downsides of a crossbreed dog over a purebred dog? 

When two breeds are mixed, there is no guarantee of the characteristics or traits which will be present in the crossbreed. This is because mixing two breeds is mixing the genetics of one breed with the other, so some genes may be passed on, and other genes won’t be, and there is no way of selecting which genes come together to make the final crossbreed. This can lead to confusion with owners when they expect a crossbreed to behave in a certain way compared to others they have seen. Genetic traits are generally more repeatable in purebred dogs as there is no mixing of different characteristics.  

Crossbreed dogs, despite benefiting from ‘hybrid vigour’ are still susceptible to certain ailments and diseases like their purebred counterparts. Some specific crossbreeds can even be more susceptible to certain conditions, such as allergies, so it is important to fully research the crossbreed so you are aware of any potential conditions they may be susceptible to, and speak to the breeder about any conditions that may or may not be present in the parents. It is also important to note that if the two purebred parents are both prone to the same conditions, there is increased likelihood their offspring will be susceptible to that condition.  

What are the most popular crossbreed dogs? 

1) The Cockapoo  

A cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle, known for often having a friendly temperament and low-shedding coat. They are one of the most popular crossbreed dogs in the UK. 

2) The Cavapoo  

A cross between a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and a poodle, smaller than the Cockapoo. It is known for its small size and lively, intelligent nature. Like the Cockapoo, they also commonly benefit from a low-shedding coat due to their poodle parentage.  

3) The Labradoodle  

A cross between a Labrador retriever and a poodle. They vary in size and are popular pets with families due to their often highly trainable nature and sociable behaviour matched with the low-shedding coat of the poodle.  

4) The Sprocker  

A cross between a Springer spaniel and a Cocker spaniel. These dogs are small to medium in size and known for their energetic affectionate nature.  

5) The Cavachon  

A cross between a Cavalier King Charles spaniel a Bichon Frise. These dogs are known for being small with a low-shedding curly coat.  

6) The Goldendoodle  

A cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. These dogs are similar to Labradoodles and vary in size. They are intelligent and playful companions popular with families.  

7) The Springador  

A cross between a Springer spaniel and a Labrador retriever. These dogs are medium to large in size and are known as loyal family companions and good working dogs.  

8) The Sprollie  

A cross between a Springer spaniel and Border collie. These dogs are super energetic and intelligent. They are popular agility dogs and generally medium sized.  

Summary: 

  • Crossbreed dogs are increasingly popular in the UK as they mix desirable traits from two different breeds of purebred dogs.  
  • Crossbreed dogs can be bred from two purebred dogs, known as f1 first generation, or can be bred from other crossbreed dogs of the same type. 
  • Crossbreed dogs can benefit from ‘hybrid vigour’ which in some studies has shown to increase life expectancy by 1.2 years on average compared to purebred dogs. 
  • Crossbreed dogs are not all the same, and the same characteristics are not always passed on to each offspring.  
  • Unlike purebred dogs, crossbreed dogs are generally not registered with specific societies or breed standards. 
  • Popular types of crossbreed dogs include the Cockapoo, Labradoodle, Cavapoo, Spocker, Cavachon, Golden Doodle, Springador and Sprollie.  
  • Crossbreed dogs are often named colloquially after the two parent breeds. For example, a Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador retriever and a poodle.  

If you are considering purchasing or rehoming a crossbreed dog, it’s important to check their medical history and any known traits and characteristics to ensure that dog is suitable for your home.