Three Things to Know
The popularity of designer crossbreeds has surged, driven by perceived health and behavioral advantages. This study aimed to understand the motivations and purchasing behaviors of designer crossbreed owners in the UK.
Findings revealed that these owners have less dog ownership experience and are more likely to have children in their households. When selecting a breed, they prioritize child-friendliness, good health, and hypoallergenic qualities. Notably, they primarily purchase from online platforms, often pay deposits, and are less likely to receive health testing results for their puppies’ parents.
Scientific evidence supporting many of these perceived advantages is limited. This raises concerns about potential relinquishment if owner expectations are not met. Understanding the sources of information for designer crossbreed owners is crucial to address misinformation and promote best practices, such as the importance of requesting and reviewing health test results for parent dogs.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners:
Three-quarters of designer crossbreed owners relied primarily on breed-specific resources and word-of-mouth for their research, with notably low usage of resources like animal charity websites (just over 50%) and the Kennel Club website (under 40%). This highlights a significant gap in information dissemination.
While shelters typically focus on rescue and rehoming, and veterinarians and dog trainers are often consulted after purchase, there exists a need for dog welfare professionals to proactively provide accurate information to prospective owners before they acquire a puppy.
The Full Picture
Designer crossbreeds, like Labradoodles, are increasingly popular in the UK, fueled by marketing. While often marketed as hypoallergenic and healthier, evidence for these claims is limited. Misconceptions about these breeds can lead to unrealistic owner expectations and potential welfare issues.
This study titled “How much is that doodle in the window? Exploring motivations and behaviours of UK owners acquiring designer crossbreed dogs (2019-2020)”, investigates the motivations and behaviors of UK owners who acquired designer crossbreed and purebred puppies between 2019 and 2020 to understand the factors influencing their choices and the implications for canine welfare.
Study Methods
This study utilized data from the “Pandemic Puppies” study, an online survey conducted in the UK. The survey collected information from individuals who purchased a puppy under 16 weeks old during 2019 or 2020.
The survey covered five sections:
- Owner demographics (e.g., age, gender, household members, prior dog ownership).
- Puppy demographics (e.g., breed, sex).
- Pre-purchase motivations (e.g., reasons for breed choice).
- Pre-purchase behaviors (e.g., research conducted).
- Purchase behaviors (e.g., requests for health records, puppy cost, interaction with breeders)
Study Results
Demographics
The study analyzed responses from 6,293 survey participants, with 25% owning designer crossbreed puppies and 75% owning purebred puppies.
Designer crossbreed owners were more likely to reside in London and be aged 35-54. They had less prior dog ownership experience (46.1% vs. 67.6%), grew up with dogs less often (61.2% vs. 70.3%), and were less likely to work in animal care professions (5.1% vs. 15.1%). They were also less likely to live in adult-only households or live alone, but more likely to have only one dog in their household (82.9% vs. 60.7%).
The most common designer crossbreeds were Cockapoos (32%), Labradoodles (12%), and Cavapoos (9%), while Labrador Retrievers (14%), Cocker Spaniels (10%), and Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshunds (6%) were the most common purebred breeds. Designer crossbred puppies were more likely to be insured and significantly more expensive, with over a quarter costing between £2000 and £2999. Both groups most commonly purchased puppies between seven and eight weeks of age, and there was no significant difference in the sex distribution of puppies between the two groups
Pre-Purchase Motivations
Both owners of designer crossbreed and purebred puppies primarily sought companionship for themselves (68.1% and 63.5%, respectively). However, designer crossbreed owners were more likely to emphasize the benefits of exercise and improved mental well-being. In contrast, purebred owners were more likely to acquire puppies to replace a deceased pet, provide companionship for other dogs, or fulfill specific roles like working or showing.
Hypoallergenic Qualities and Health Benefit
Nearly half of designer crossbreed owners specifically sought hypoallergenic dogs. This raises concerns, as scientific evidence has shown that these crossbreeds are not inherently hypoallergenic. Unmet expectations regarding allergies are a common reason for relinquishing pets.
Over 60% of designer crossbreed owners cited improved health as a desired quality. While some crossbreeding can lead to improved health in certain cases, this is not always true. Designer crossbreeds may inherit serious health conditions from their parent breeds, or even develop new health problems. For example, breeds like Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are at high risk for conditions like hip dysplasia, emphasizing the need for consistent health screening across all breeds.
Understanding how owners form their perceptions of dog health and the sources of their information is crucial. Social media platforms like Facebook play a significant role in disseminating health information, but the reliability of this information varies greatly. Promoting evidence-based education through these channels can reach a wider audience, but careful monitoring is essential to ensure the messages are accurate and well-received.
The study also highlights the critical need for more robust data on the health issues affecting designer crossbreeds. Current veterinary records often lack detailed information on the specific breed mix, making it difficult to accurately assess health outcomes. While first-generation crosses may benefit from “hybrid vigor,” subsequent generations may lose these advantages due to increased inbreeding. Addressing these data gaps and educating both breeders and buyers about the complexities of crossbreed health are essential for improving the welfare of these dogs.
Fit with Lifestyle
The purchase of designer crossbreeds in the UK appears to be influenced not only by health-related traits but also by perceived behavioral traits desirable for family life.
A significant proportion (41.6%) of designer crossbreed puppies were purchased by households with children, compared to 31.2% of purebred puppies, with over half of designer crossbreed owners prioritizing a breed perceived as good with children. However, despite limited research specifically on designer crossbreed behavior, studies suggest that crosses like Labradoodles and Goldendoodles often exhibit behavioral traits falling between their progenitor breeds, with some behaviors potentially undesirable, such as increased aggression in Goldendoodles.
Unrealistic assumptions about behavior could strain owner-dog relationships, increase relinquishment risks, or even pose public health risks if owners neglect proper training and supervision. Therefore, educating potential owners about the potential behavioral characteristics of designer crossbreeds, including potential challenges, is crucial for responsible dog ownership and improving the welfare of both dogs and their families.
Pre-Purchase Behaviours
Both owner groups prioritized breeder trustworthiness, but designer crossbreed owners favored proximity and immediate availability. Pre-purchase research was more common among designer crossbreed owners, who relied heavily on online sources and social media. Almost 70% of designer puppies (vs. 45% of purebreds) were sourced from animal-specific or general selling websites. Comparatively, more purebreds came from known breeders or recommendations.
Designer crossbreed owners were more likely to pay deposits, take less time in the purchase process, and opt for virtual interactions, whereas purebred owners preferred in-person visits. Despite a high overall rate of purchasing their first-choice breed, designer owners were less successful compared to purebred owners due to limited availability.
High demand for designer crossbreeds has created a supply-demand imbalance, forcing buyers to compromise. Convenience often outweighed trustworthiness, increasing the risk of supporting unethical breeders. Additionally, designer crossbreed buyers were more likely to place deposits before viewing puppies, exposing them to risks such as ‘PetFishing,’ where sellers misrepresent breeding conditions. This highlights the urgent need for education and regulation to promote responsible breeding practices.
Purchasing Behaviours
The purchasing behaviors of designer crossbreed and purebred puppy owners exhibited both similarities and differences. Both groups most frequently collected puppies from the breeder’s property, either inside or outside. However, designer crossbreed owners were less likely to receive health testing results for their puppy’s parents, including DNA and veterinary screenings. This was largely due to a lower likelihood of inquiring about these tests or the perception that they were unavailable for their specific breed or cross.
Welfare concerns also arose from purchasing practices associated with designer crossbreeds. While a majority of owners (89.7%) sought to see the puppy’s mother, a lower proportion of designer crossbreed owners (73.1%) actually did so compared to purebred puppy owners (79.8%). On collection day, designer crossbreed puppies were also less frequently seen with their littermates or adult relatives, but more often with other puppies of unknown relation.
Failing to see the mother is linked to future behavioral issues in dogs, raising concerns despite legal protections. This practice may also contribute to irresponsible breeding and even illegal puppy importation, exacerbated by the high demand for designer crossbreeds in a seller’s market.
Conclusion
The UK’s designer crossbreed boom is fueled by desires for hypoallergenic and ‘lifestyle-friendly’ dogs, often with limited evidence supporting these traits. Misconceptions about suitability for allergies and children pose risks, potentially leading to relinquishment or strained relationships.
Purchasing practices, such as pre-viewing deposits and limited breeder interaction (e.g., not seeing the mother), may support irresponsible breeding. The assumption of inherent health, coupled with a lack of parent health testing, increases the risk of disease. To counter the misconceptions driving the designer crossbreed boom, immediate educational efforts, particularly through online platforms, are crucial.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Owned Dogs > Acquisitions > Motivations
Year of Publication:
2022
External Link:
Burnett, E., Brand, C.L., O’Neill, D.G. et al. How much is that doodle in the window? Exploring motivations and behaviours of UK owners acquiring designer crossbreed dogs (2019-2020). Canine Med Genet 9, 8 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40575-022-00120-x