Designer Dogs: Have We Gone Too Far?
, by Majella Gee, 31 min reading time
Designer dogs have become one of the fastest-growing trends in the pet world, but are we asking the right questions before bringing one home? This article explores the rise of fashionable crossbreeds, responsible breeding, inherited health and the important questions every prospective dog owner should ask before choosing their next canine companion.
Walk through any shopping centre, scroll through social media or browse online classifieds, and you'll quickly discover that dogs are increasingly being treated like the latest fashion accessory.
Every few years, another "must-have" breed or crossbreed captures the public’s imagination. Smaller. Fluffier. Curly coated. Blue-eyed. "Hypoallergenic." A miniature version of a larger breed. Before long, waiting lists grow, prices soar and suddenly everyone seems to want one.
But here's the question that keeps nagging at me...
Are we breeding dogs because it genuinely improves their health, temperament and welfare... or are we breeding them simply because there's a market for something new?
As someone who has spent more than forty years working in the pet industry, I've watched breeding trends come and go. I've met dedicated, ethical breeders who dedicate enormous amounts of time, money and knowledge to producing healthy, well-adjusted dogs. I've also seen the heart-breaking consequences when breeding is driven by fashion rather than responsibility.
Let me be absolutely clear from the outset.
This article is not an attack on every deliberately bred crossbreed, nor is it suggesting that every purebred dog is automatically healthier or better. There are outstanding breeders in both worlds who place the welfare of their dogs above everything else.
This article is about something entirely different.
It's about the growing trend of creating dogs to satisfy human demand for a particular look, a particular size or the latest craze, and asking whether, somewhere along the way, we've forgotten to put the dog's long-term health and welfare first.
Because before we fall in love with the next fashionable puppy, perhaps it's time we stopped asking, "How cute is it?" and started asking a far more important question...
Was this dog bred responsibly?
When Fashion Begins to Influence Breeding
During more than forty years in the pet industry, I've watched countless breeding trends come and go.
Every few years, a new breed or crossbreed captures the public's attention. Suddenly, it's the dog everyone wants. Waiting lists grow, prices increase and social media fills with photos of adorable puppies that seem almost too good to be true.
There's nothing wrong with people wanting a healthy, beautiful companion, and there's certainly nothing wrong with responsible breeders working to improve the health, temperament or suitability of a particular breed or crossbreed.
What concerns me is when fashion begins driving breeding decisions.
When the focus shifts from producing healthy, well-adjusted dogs to producing whatever happens to be the latest craze, we risk losing sight of the one thing that should always come first — the lifelong welfare of the dog.
As someone who has spent much of their working life helping families choose the right pet, I've learnt that there is no such thing as the perfect dog. Every breed has strengths. Every breed has challenges. Responsible breeders understand those strengths and challenges and work hard to produce healthy dogs with sound temperaments.
The trouble begins when buyers start searching for the "perfect combination" — a dog that stays tiny, doesn't shed, is easy to train, loves children, rarely barks, has endless energy when you want it to, but is happy to sleep all day when you don't.
It sounds wonderful.
Unfortunately, genetics doesn't work that way.
Can You Really Design the Perfect Dog?
It's easy to understand why deliberately bred crossbreeds have become so popular.
Who wouldn't love the idea of a dog that combines the best qualities of two different breeds? A dog that sheds less, stays small, is intelligent, easy to train, wonderful with children, healthy, long-lived and has the perfect personality.
On paper, it sounds like the ideal recipe.
If only breeding dogs were as simple as following a recipe.
Living creatures don't come with guarantees.
One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding deliberately bred crossbreeds is the belief that you can simply take the best characteristics from two different breeds and combine them into one perfect puppy.
Unfortunately, genetics doesn't work to a customer's wish list.
Every puppy is an individual. Just as brothers and sisters from the same parents can have completely different personalities, appearances and abilities, puppies from the very same litter can inherit very different combinations of traits.
One puppy may inherit more of its mother's temperament, while another favours its father's. One may have a soft, low-shedding coat, while another develops a completely different coat type. Some may grow larger than expected, others smaller. Even within the same litter, no two puppies are exactly alike.
The same applies to health.
Crossing two breeds doesn't automatically eliminate inherited health conditions. A puppy may inherit health risks from either parent, or in some cases, from both. That's why responsible breeders don't simply rely on the fact that a puppy is a crossbreed. They understand the inherited health concerns associated with both parent breeds and carefully screen their breeding dogs before a mating ever takes place.
The same is true when it comes to temperament. While certain breeds are known for particular characteristics, there are no guarantees that every puppy will inherit the qualities people are hoping for. Temperament is influenced by genetics, early experiences, training and environment. It's one more reason why choosing a puppy based solely on a fashionable label or a list of desirable traits can lead to unrealistic expectations and, in some cases, heart-breaking outcomes for both the dog and the family.
The truth is that dogs aren't products assembled to meet a shopping list of desirable features. They are living animals, each carrying a unique combination of genes that cannot be predicted with absolute certainty.
Maybe we've been asking the wrong question all along.
Instead of asking whether we can create the perfect dog, perhaps we should be asking how we can breed healthier, sounder dogs with stable temperaments that are better suited to the lives they'll lead.
Because responsible breeding has never been about creating the latest trend.
It has always been about creating the healthiest future possible for the dogs themselves.
What Does Responsible Breeding Really Look Like?
Imagine you've finally found the puppy you've been dreaming about. It's adorable, the breeder seems friendly, the children have already chosen a name and you're ready to hand over your deposit.
But before you do... what questions should you be asking?
If you've never purchased a puppy before, it's easy to assume that every breeder follows the same standards.
Unfortunately, that's simply not the case.
Responsible breeding begins long before puppies are born.
It starts with understanding genetics, researching bloodlines, recognising inherited health conditions and carefully selecting breeding dogs that complement each other, not just in appearance, but in health, temperament and structure.
Responsible breeders don't simply ask, "Can these two dogs produce puppies?"
They ask, "Should these two dogs produce puppies?"
That's a very different question.
In some breeds, one of the biggest concerns is hip dysplasia, a painful condition that can affect a dog's mobility and quality of life for years to come. Responsible breeders have their breeding dogs assessed before mating, helping them make informed decisions that reduce the risk of passing those problems on to future generations.
Other breeds are predisposed to inherited eye diseases that may not be obvious when a puppy is only a few weeks old. Eye examinations help identify these conditions before breeding takes place, giving breeders the opportunity to make responsible decisions that protect the health of future puppies.
Some breeds also benefit from DNA testing, which can identify inherited diseases that might otherwise be unknowingly passed on. When used responsibly, genetic testing isn't about producing the "perfect" dog. It's about reducing avoidable suffering and giving puppies the healthiest possible start in life.
Different breeds carry different inherited health risks, which is why responsible breeders tailor their health screening to the breeds they're working with. There is no single health checklist that applies to every dog, but there is one common goal — producing healthier puppies and continually improving the welfare of future generations.
Imagine buying a beautiful new home that had been wired by someone with no formal training.
Everything might look perfect. The lights may switch on, the appliances may work and nothing appears to be wrong.
But hidden behind the walls could be problems you simply can't see.
Dog breeding can be much the same.
A puppy may look healthy, playful and full of life at eight weeks of age. That tells us very little about the genetic foundation behind that puppy or the careful decisions — or lack of decisions — that were made long before it was born.
Good breeding is rarely obvious the day you collect your puppy.
It's reflected in the countless decisions, health checks and ethical choices that responsible breeders make years before that puppy ever takes its first breath.
The healthiest puppies are rarely the result of luck.
They're the result of knowledge, careful planning and an unwavering commitment to doing what's best for the dogs themselves.
When Demand Replaces Purpose
Throughout history, dogs have been bred with purpose.
Some were developed to herd livestock, others to retrieve game, guard homes and farms, detect scents or work alongside people in countless other ways. Even breeds developed primarily as companions were carefully selected for characteristics that suited the role, they were expected to fulfil.
In every case, responsible breeders had a clear goal in mind.
Today, I sometimes wonder whether that purpose is changing. In many cases, the focus no longer seems to be on improving health, preserving sound temperament or maintaining the qualities that made a breed so valued in the first place. Instead, we're seeing an increasing demand for something different.
Smaller. Fluffier. Curly coated. Blue-eyed. "Rare." "Designer." "Mini." "Pocket." "Teacup."
They're clever marketing terms, but they tell us almost nothing about the long-term health, temperament or suitability of the dog itself.
One of the latest examples attracting attention is the Pomsky, a deliberate cross between a Pomeranian and a Siberian Husky, bred to create a dog with the appearance of a miniature Husky. It's certainly not the only example. In recent years we've also seen the rise of Pocket Bullies, Micro Bullies and increasingly smaller "teacup" varieties, all promoted as something unique or highly desirable.
This isn't about criticising Pomskies or any other particular crossbreed. It's about asking a much broader question.
When we deliberately breed dogs to achieve a particular appearance or to satisfy a growing market demand, are we giving enough thought to the lifelong welfare of the dogs we're creating?
Over the years, I've met families devastated because the puppy they thought would stay small grew far larger than expected. I've seen dogs surrendered because their energy levels, temperament or exercise needs were completely different from what the owners had anticipated. In many cases, these weren't irresponsible owners. They were good people who simply hadn't been given the information they needed to make an informed decision before bringing a puppy home.
Perhaps that's the real issue.
The problem isn't that people fall in love with puppies.
The problem is that too many people are making one of the biggest decisions of the next ten to fifteen years without knowing the questions they should be asking first.
Choosing the Right Dog Starts with Asking the Right Questions
Bringing a puppy into your family is one of the biggest commitments you'll ever make. You're not choosing a companion for a few months. You're making a decision that could shape the next ten to fifteen years of your life—and the life of that dog.
It's exciting. It's emotional. And it's very easy to fall in love with the first adorable face that looks back at you.
Before you do, take a step back and ask yourself a few honest questions.
Why do you want a dog? What role will it play in your family? Will it be a walking companion, a family companion, an active adventure dog or simply a much-loved member of the household? How much exercise can you realistically provide every day? Are you prepared for regular grooming, ongoing training and the financial commitment that comes with responsible dog ownership?
These questions are just as important as choosing the breed itself.
One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter is the belief that a small dog automatically makes a better family pet. In reality, size tells us very little. Some small breeds have enormous energy, strong personalities and may not tolerate rough handling by young children. On the other hand, many larger breeds are renowned for their gentle, patient nature and thrive as wonderful family companions.
The goal shouldn't be to find the smallest dog, the fluffiest dog or the latest fashionable dog.
The goal should be to find the right dog for your family.
Sometimes the best decision isn't choosing the dog you've fallen in love with—it's choosing the dog that's most likely to thrive in your home.
Of course, many wonderful dogs are found through reputable rescue organisations. While their history isn't always known, the same principle applies—take the time to understand the dog's temperament, energy levels and individual needs to ensure it's the right fit for your family.
Once you've decided what type of dog genuinely suits your lifestyle, it's time to start asking questions of the breeder or rescue organisation.
A responsible breeder should welcome those questions. They should be happy to explain why they chose a particular mating, what health testing has been carried out, the strengths and challenges of the breeds involved, and what support they'll provide after you take your puppy home. Likewise, a reputable rescue organisation should be open and honest about what they know of a dog's history, temperament, behaviour and any ongoing care requirements, helping you make the most informed decision possible.
In fact, don't be surprised if a good breeder or rescue organisation asks you plenty of questions as well.
They'll want to know about your lifestyle, your experience with dogs, whether you have young children, how much time the dog will spend alone and what you're hoping for in a canine companion.
That's not them being difficult.
That's them being responsible.
The best breeders and rescue organisations aren't simply trying to find homes for dogs.
They're trying to match every dog with the home that's best suited to it.
The more questions you ask before bringing a dog into your family, the more confident you'll be that you're making the right decision—for your family and for the dog that will share your life for many years to come.
A Final Thought
Let me leave you with one final thought.
This article isn't about being for or against designer dogs.
It's not about suggesting that purebred dogs are always better, or that every deliberately bred crossbreed is somehow irresponsible.
It's about asking whether we've allowed fashion, novelty and market demand to influence breeding decisions that should always place health, temperament and welfare first.
Every time we choose to buy a puppy, we influence the future of dog breeding.
Every question we ask sends a message about what matters to us.
If more buyers begin asking about health testing instead of coat colour...
If they ask about temperament instead of trends...
If they ask why a particular mating was chosen instead of how "rare" the puppies are...
Breeding practices will begin to change.
Responsible breeders should welcome informed buyers. They have nothing to fear from people asking questions.
In fact, they should welcome them.
After more than forty years in the pet industry, I've learnt that the happiest dogs aren't necessarily the rarest, the smallest or the most fashionable.
They're the dogs that have been thoughtfully bred, carefully matched to the right family and loved for exactly who they are.
So, before you bring your next puppy home, ask yourself one simple question.
Am I choosing this dog because it's fashionable... or because it's the right dog for my family?
Because every puppy deserves the healthiest possible start in life.
And every family deserves the knowledge to make the right choice.
Fashion fades.
The consequences of breeding decisions last a lifetime.
© 2026 Majella Gee – Majella's Pet Store. All rights reserved.
This article is protected by copyright. It may not be reproduced, copied or distributed in whole or in part without the written permission of the author.
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