Crossbred designer dogs, like Labradoodles, are all the rage these days, from the United States to across the pond in the United Kingdom and beyond. These hybrid pups are popular for their novelty and adorability. However, another reason people are flocking to these pups is due to the widespread belief that they’re healthier than purebred pedigrees. Unfortunately, a new study blows this myth out of the water.
What Are Designer Dogs?
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Unlike mixed breeds or mutts, designer dogs are hybrid breeds created by deliberately breeding two different purebred dogs with the goal of getting the best of both worlds, so to speak. These hybrids’ names often combine the two parent breed names, e.g., Goldendoodle, Yorkipoo, etc. Crossbred designer dogs are a relatively new phenomenon in the long history of dog breeding, and they’ve exploded in popularity over the last decade.
For example, Nationwide Pet Insurance reported that from 2013 to 2021, the popularity of Poodle crosses among Nationwide policies increased by 160.3%. At the same time, the popularity of many of the purebred parent breeds, including Standard Poodles, Labrador Retrievers, and Golden Retrievers, decreased during this time. And in the U.K., researchers report that more Cockapoos (653,597) were owned in 2023 than either Cocker Spaniels (562,951) or Poodles (105,369).
Did You Know?
The original pup that sparked the current designer dog craze was the Labradoodle, bred in the 1980s. According to Psychology Today, The Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia assigned its in-house breeder, Wally Conran, to create a dog that would be both hypoallergenic and have the temperament to serve as a working guide dog. The request came from a blind woman in Hawaii whose husband was allergic to dog hair. Around the same time, a man named Wallace Havens began breeding Puggles (Pug/Beagle crosses) in the United States.
Part of the reason designer dogs are booming in popularity is based on health concerns. It became more widely understood that purebred dogs suffer more health problems because of inbreeding and the lack of genetic diversity. Many breeds suffer from certain inherited diseases and unhealthy physical abnormalities that keep getting passed along the genetic line. For example, brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds, like French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, are at high risk for breathing and dental problems due to the shape of their skull.
The theory behind hybrid dogs is that breeding two different purebreds together produces a healthier, more genetically diverse pup — a hypothesis coined “hybrid vigor” in the animal kingdom. But does hybrid vigor actually exist? A team of researchers at the University of London’s Royal Veterinary College (RVC) decided to put the theory to the test.
Are Designer Dogs Healthier?
In the largest study of its kind, RVC scientists found compelling evidence that crossbred designer dogs aren’t any healthier than their purebred progenitors. The research involved a survey of over 9,400 U.K. dog owners. While there are many of these hybrid breeds popping up, this study focused on the three most common designer crossbreeds:
- Labradoodle (a cross between a Labrador Retriever & Poodle)
- Cavapoo (a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel & Poodle)
- Cockapoo (a cross between a Cocker Spaniel & Poodle)
Some people who participated in the survey owned one of the three hybrids listed above. Others owned one of the purebred “parent” breeds — Labrador Retriever, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, or Poodle (including miniatures, toys, and standards). All dogs were under five years of age.
The extensive survey asked owners about their dog’s health and diagnoses within the previous 12 months. It also included questions about specific health conditions that the parent breeds are predisposed to, including Addison’s disease, epilepsy, hip and/or elbow dysplasia, Von Willebrand’s disease, cruciate ligament rupture, cancers, and paroxysmal dyskinesia. Then, researchers collated the owner-reported health information and compared the risk of each purebred and hybrid having one or more of the 57 most common disorders found in dogs.
Key Findings
Overall, this study found no significant difference in health risks among the three most common designer crossbreeds and their purebred parent breeds in 86.6% of the health disorder comparisons. For the remaining disorders with statistically different odds, hybrids had a higher risk of 7% of the 57 health disorders researchers analyzed and a lower risk of 6.4% of disorders. These discrepancies were equally split between the breeds, so researchers concluded that the odds came out fairly even.
Notably, researchers found that all three designer dog breeds had a higher chance of ear infections and gastrointestinal problems (diarrhea, vomiting, and dietary indiscretion) than their Poodle parent.
However, if you’re wondering about other findings with each designer dog compared to its parents, here’s a brief breakdown of the differences in health risks for each hybrid.
Labradoodles vs Progenitor Breeds
Overall, Labradoodles had similar health outcomes for 91% of disorders studied compared to Labrador Retrievers and 88% compared to Poodles. Here’s a breakdown of the differences.
Lower Odds
- Compared to Poodles, Labradoodles had a lower risk of patellar luxation (slipped kneecap).
- Compared to Labrador Retrievers, Labradoodles had a lower risk of 4 disorders studied: elbow and/or hip dysplasia, lameness, multiple masses, and wounds.
Higher Odds
- Compared to Poodles, Labradoodles had higher odds of 6 disorders: allergies, alopecia (hair loss), dietary indiscretion,* wounds, diarrhea, and vomiting.
- Compared to Labrador Retrievers, Labradoodles had increased odds of otitis externa (ear infections).
*Dietary indiscretion refers to any time your dog eats something they shouldn’t, such as garbage, table scraps, foreign objects, or other non-food items. Dietary indiscretion often leads to gastrointestinal (GI) upset.
Cavapoos vs Progenitor Breeds
Overall, Cavapoos had similar health outcomes for 88% of disorders studies compared to their Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel progenitor breeds. Here’s a brief summary of the differences researchers noted.
Lower Odds
- Compared to Poodles, Cavapoos had lower odds of 3 disorders: ophthalmological disorders, otitis externa, and lameness.
- Compared to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Cavapoos had lower odds for 4 disorders studied: ophthalmological disorders, anal sac disorders, obesity, and overgrown nails.
Higher Odds
- Compared to Poodles, Cavapoos had higher odds of 4 disorders studied: anal sac disorders, diarrhea, dietary indiscretion, and vomiting.
- Compared to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Cavapoos had higher odds of 3 disorders: vomiting, otitis externa, and diarrhea.
Cockapoos vs Progenitor Breeds
Cockapoos did not differ in their health risks for 86% of disorders studies compared to Cocker Spaniels and 79% compared to Poodles. Researchers found the following differences.
Lower Odds
- Compared to Poodles, Cockapoos had lower odds of 5 common disorders: ophthalmological disorders, patellar luxation, weight loss, food hypersensitivity/intolerance, and dental disease.
- Compared to Cocker Spaniels, Cockapoos had lower odds of 5 disorders: dietary indiscretion, lameness, multiple masses, ophthalmological disorders, and wounds.
Higher Odds
- Compared to Poodles, Cockapoos had higher odds of 7 disorders: foreign bodies, roundworm infestations, anal sac disorders, diarrhea, dietary indiscretion, pruritus, and vomiting.
- Compared to Cocker Spaniels, Cockapoos had higher odds of 3 disorders studied: pruritus, otitis externa, and vomiting.
It’s important to note that the age restriction in this research (dogs under five years old) is limiting. It’s possible that as these designer dogs age, their health outcomes could improve — or not. Therefore, more studies are needed to evaluate hybrids compared to their purebred parents.
Finding A Responsible Breeder Is Key
The main takeaway from this study, say researchers, is that it’s more important to adopt a dog from a responsible breeder for either a purebred or hybrid breed. For starters, reputable breeders don’t breed dogs who have known inherited health problems, among many other advantages. Researchers also point out that it’s equally important to consider the health and temperament of the parents of any puppy you’re considering. See our guides on how to find a reputable breeder and how to pick the ideal breed for your family and lifestyle to learn more.
If you own a designer dog, we’d love to hear about your experiences with your pup in our comments.
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Sally has over 20 years of experience in human health sciences communications, including more than 10 years as an expert on pet health conditions and treatment. She’s an avid enthusiast and researcher of the latest scientific studies on all things canine. Sally is part of a team of canine professionals and long-time dog owners who stay on top of the most helpful research, best products, and more for our own pups and those of all of our readers.