Are there any breeders on this site that breed crossbreeds. We have had two pedigree  dogs before, a Bearded collie & a Sheltie, both wonderful dogs, but this time we would like a spaniel/poodle cross, but we would want it to come from a reputable breeder & I am not sure how to find one. Can anyone help please?

no reputable breeder will deliberately breed a cross breed, i very much doubt you would find a cross breed with health tested parents either try the breed rescues as they sometimes have crosses or the local dogs home where there will be 100s of crossbreeds to choose from. If you dont feel its the right time to take on a rescue dog that may come with problems have a KC reg pedigree from health tested parents of either the chosen breeds. Both breeds are very different so look into both carefully.

I know of reputable breeders who deliberately breed x breeds BorderCollieLvr ;)

Yes I think Tohme may well think of the same person as me (?) there is one breeder definitely reputable that for many years has done crosses between BC and Golden retrievers, for obedience. I do know this woman and there is no question about her doing everything right, but she is definitely not doing it just to produce pets , she does it for the working abilities.

Hi Goldmali, yes she and a few others breed specifically for Obedience/Working Trials and carry out the relevant health checks on their breeding stock and produce extremely successful (and healthy) cross breeds; they are not sold for exorbitant prices either. ;)

I think the general comment stands, especially where we are talking about pups for a pet market only and not for  a specific working purpose. 

Hunt terriers and Lurchers woudl fall into the category of crosses bred as a type or for a purpose.  Though of course there are irresponsible people breeding those too, as well as those breeding pedigree purebreds.

I think it safe to say that all these types of crossbreeders (GDBA, Obedience and hutn people) are not looking for pet homes for their pups but to fit a niche market for working dogs.

Offhand I can't think of a sporting/working purpose for a spaniel/poodle cross, so any that are deliberately bred (rather than accidentally) will be produced purely for the pet market, and are simply a cash crop.

Especially as the Irish Water Spaniel would fit the bill perfectly.

There you are Guest - have you considered the Irish Water Spaniel? :D

I do hope this debate has helped you!

Regards

Margot

I am not sure if there are breeders specialising in a spaniel x poodle.

Which particular spaniel had you in mind?

cocker/springer/welsh springer/clumber/field/sussex/irish water/cavalier king charles/king charles/tibetan?

And which poodle, toy/miniature/standard?

I'm sorry to disappoint you, but "breeder of crossbreeds"and "reputable" sadly do not go!

If you think clearly about it, why would someone, who has gone to the time and trouble to seek out a good pedigree dog, deliberately breed it with another dog of a different breed?

Sadly there are people out there breeding Cockadoodles, shi-poos, poodadors, and now puggles :( - just for the sake of a "cutesy" name - and of course, the money that can be made!

These cross breeds can't be health tested, so really you would be buying an unknown quantity, healthwise.

If you have set your heart on a cross, then I would suggest that you go to one of the Rescue centres where, sadly, they will have many such dogs.

Regards

Margot

you could try the rescue centres - there are lots of dogs including cross breeds looking for new homes....

I would take issue with you there Lokis Mum, there ARE reputable breeders of X breeds, including the GDBA ;)

I do not know where you got your information that cross breeds cannot be health tested either, because of course they can..................

Well, if you KNOW of reputable breeders, Tohme, who can and do health test - then I defer to your better knowledge :).

I know of none - plenty of "dodgy" but sadly, not one that I would personally recommend.

Margot

Yes I do know of reputable breeders who can and do health test the sires and dams of their x  breed litters and the BVA will hip score cross breeds too. ;)

The misinformation that cross breeds cannot be hip scored if oft promulgated however those who are interested may follow up the info below:

A dog can be hip scored if it isn't KC Registered or a "pedigree".  The dog's pet name/tatoo/microchip number must be used as identification on both the certificate and radiograph(s).

Also, the certificate should be completed fully, using 'unregistered' or 'unknown' for details such as the parents/grand parents etc. which are not known.

For further details contact:

Nicola Amis
Canine Health Schemes
British Veterinary Association
7 Mansfield Street
London
W1G 9NQ

T: 020 76366541
F: 020 74362970
NicolaA@bva.co.uk

Ah, but the GDBA never sell their dogs! ;)

Plus some of their crosses didn't work out the way that they wanted.  Also many of these working type crosses are not suitable for the GP, more for people who are into agility etc. and have a lot of knowledge about dogs in general.

>including the GDBA <

My right hand bears the scars from the result of GDBA Cross breeding :(

There are quite a few Obedience people who do crosses but only for the working abilities & none use a spaniel not ever the one who breeds poodle crosses

MM my friend has a  labardoodle X field spaniel (with working qualifications). hes about the size of a collie & works A & B in the south west. he also picks up,
hes lovely

But it's not a first cross is it as in a poodle cross spaniel

i agree tohme.

there are plenty of well bred ,health tested ,PURPOSE bred, Xs about.

however id think the likely hood of any breeders of these to come on here is ...errrr NIL!

I think the theme that is coming through here is that those who purposefully breed cross breeds and do it well, with health tests etc, are doing so for a very spcific purpose, ie working or agility/obedience.  They are knowledgable and caring, but are in the minority as far as breeders of crosses go.  What we come across more and more is the so called "designer cross" which has been bred for no other purpose than making the breeder money, wihtout thought to health or purpose of the dog eventually.  I would presume that the breeders who are breeding for the field etc sell most of thier pups for those specific purposes, and that the majority of these dogs, having been bred speciifically for the required traits (eg intelligence, speed, etc) would only make them suitable as pets for very experienced dog owners, they would be too much for novices to handle.  I think we should be careful not to confuse the general novice dog buying public, who are usually drawn into wanting a cross by some sort of marketing ploy such as a cutesy name or fales claims such as "not shedding"  "ideal in apartment" etc.
bye
Gwen

Agree entirely.  Generally I don't think the people breeding special crosses want or encourage pet owners to have one of their pusp, as they wouldn't be suitable.

There are good and bad breeders in both pedigrees and crossbred dogs. I myself have bred a cross lab/springer litter {both parents had all relevant health checks} using pedigree dogs. They were bred for working purposes, very successfully i might add and i plan to breed again from different dogs in the future.I would not recommend them for pets unless it is to a VERY active home.Many breeds ' once upon a time' were originally crossbreeds. If you are looking for a pet i would suggest you go to your nearest rescue centre as there are thousands of wonderful dogs,all shapes and sizes who from no fault of their own end up there.

Just seen an add for yorkshire terrier X border collie pups - intentional mating for the second time. I wouldn't be boasting about that!